Sorry about the wait… don't kill me yet! Wait 'till the story's finished.
Oh, and I'm not sure how you all imagine it. But I am seeing this as the musical version of RENT with Daphne as Mimi.
I don't owe my mom $8 anymore, but I still don't own RENT.
Arm in arm, heads held high, the two girls walked back to their apartment. Silently, Angel pulled her key out of the pocket of her coat and slid it in the keyhole. She didn't turn it. She just stood there staring at the door. Mimi didn't blame her. Angel's hand dropped, the key hovering in the doorknob. Her head was hung, and she just stood there.
"No puedo, Mimi…" (I can't, Mimi…) "Por favor, no fuerza a mí en la puerta" (please don't force me in the door). Mimi stroked Angel's back.
"Esta bien… usted no necesita." (It's okay… you don't need to)
"No… yo necesito. Yo necisito." (No… I need to. I need to.) They pushed the door open to reveal…
… the apartment. Exactly as it had been when they left it. But, it was empty. Sure, the furniture was there. All the clutter was still collected on the table. But the entire room screamed at the absence of Abuela. Neither Mimi nor Angel could see properly because of the tears clouding their eyes. They walked like zombies to their room, and both just sat on Angel's bad, holding each other. Mimi closed her eyes and let the tears take over her face. Angel held her head high, looking around their room. She found two small envelopes on their collective cabinet.
"que es?" (what's this?) She walked over to the envelopes. In simple black pen, the names Mimi and Angelo were written on them. They each opened their respective letter.
Mimi –
I know that I was your birth mother or grandmother, but I loved you like one. I am writing this on my last night in this bed… my own bed… before I go to that awful hospital where I know I shall pass. No, my Mimi, I know I will pass soon. I am old, and it is my time to go. You are still young, but you are old enough to take care of yourself. Go into the world and show them your spirit. Show the world the feline you are. I want you to live your life to the fullest… every day as if it were your last. That way, you can do everything I never got the chance to, and I will be watching you, my Mimi. I'll be watching over you.
Now, on an official note, I have put Angel in charge of you. Legally. I pulled a few strings, and she is your legal guardian, but don't stop being sisters because of it. That would make your Abuela sad. Now, go. Have fun. Laugh like a child again. Live.
With love, always and forever,
Abuela.
Angelo –
Thank you so much for being so brave. You held me together when I wanted to fall apart… you truly live up to your chosen name… Angel. Gracias, Angelo. Gracias. You meant so much to me… I don't know how to put this on paper. I know you are reading this on your bed after I have passed. Tomorrow I am going to the hospital – I know. When I pass, you are legally in charge of Mimi, but don't become her mother. Stay her sister, but look out for her as I would have. She still has some loose ends… help her tie them up. Be the Angel you are. Keep all your skirts – take some of my clothes and make them yours. You know how. I taught you enough for you to be able to go on your own and make a tablecloth into a dress. I love you, mi angel, don't ever forget that. I will be watching over you. Don't be scared of death, instead celebrate the life you have.
Love always and forever,
Abuela.
Mimi finished reading her letter first. She watched Angel's tearstained face, as she read her own letter. Angel closed her eyes. She could not deal with all of this…
Angel looked at Mimi's face. Her eyes were enough to drive anyone over the edge. She was looking at Angel with such devotion and hope, but with a huge sadness mixed in them. Angel held her sister tight.
"Tomaré el cuidado de usted." (I will take care of you) she whispered into the younger girl's ear. "No se preocupe" (don't worry).
Mimi just cried.
-
The next day, the two of them went through their school day in autopilot. The classes were there, so were they. The teachers talked, and their ears heard, but their mind didn't comprehend. Their brains told their hand to write the word on the page, but their hands did not comply. Life had no detail. Even Angel had no color. Mimi only vaguely heard Will's demands of "what's wrong?" "Why are you like this?" "What's the problem?" Mimi finally broke,
"I don't want to talk about it okay?" Her hair whipped around her face as she snapped at her boyfriend. He looked taken aback. She stepped backwards, realizing what she just said.
"Sorry," she said softly. "I just… just need you to understand… I need space."
"How can I understand if you won't talk?" he asked gently.
"I don't know," tears slid down her cheeks "Just… be there for me, please?"
"Okay, shhh, okay." He held Mimi close as she leaned into him.
Once more, don't kill me yet!
Next chap will be Mimi-centric I believe.
And I have finals prep this coming week and finals the week after that so there wont be many updates… sorry!