Sorry for the long wait. I hope you like it!
Joanne awoke with a start, covered in a nervous sweat. She'd just remembered something- Collins had AIDS. As much as she wanted the baby, she didn't want to risk getting the disease. She got up to go tell Collins, but glanced at her digital clock. 3:21 am. It was just a little to early to tell him.
Joanne shivered when her feet hit the cold floorboards. She quietly pulled the blanket off her bed and wrapped it around her shoulders. Slowly, she walked into the other room and sat down on the couch, taking a deep breath.
"Is anything wrong Jo?" someone asked.
Joanne quickly turned around only to see Collins. She smiled weakly. "Yeah, I'm fine."
Collins gave her a looks that said 'Are you sure about that?' but didn't push. "Want some coffee?"
"Yes please."
Collins disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Joanne alone in the dark. She shivered, pulling the blanket closer around her body. As a child she'd always liked the calmness of the night, but right now, all she wanted was the light.
"Here you go," Collins offered, handing her a cup of hot coffee.
"Thanks."
"Are you sure everything's okay?"
Joanne took a deep breath. "No Collins, you're right. There's something wrong."
"Care to share?" Collins asked.
"Collins, I don't think we should have the baby."
Collins smiled slightly. "I had a feeling you were going to say that. Listen Jo, everything is going to be okay."
"How do you know that?" Joanne asked, "There's always the possibility of AIDS."
"I know," Collins answered, "I know. But, i know that everything is going to be okay. I won the game. Larry said everything would be okay."
"Larry…?"
Collins blushed. "Never mind that. Just, trust me, I know everything is going to be alright."
Before Joanne could say a word, Roger appeared, standing in the doorway of his and Collin's room.
"What's wrong Roger?" Joanne asked.
"I had a bad dream," he said in a baby voice, "Will you come stay with me Jo?"
Joanne smiled. "Of course sweetie," she answered, getting up and following Roger into his room, but not before she mouthed 'thank you' to Collins.