Disclaimer: I do not own RENT, it all belongs to Jonathan.
Chapter 7
February 14th, 11:30 A.M-Standard Eastern Time
All of the Bohemians were at the loft doing various things. Maureen and Crystal were at the kitchen table cutting out hearts from red construction paper. Maureen eventually apologized to Crystal, but not without a few arguments and Joanne swearing off sex first.
"You remind me so much of myself sometimes!" she said to Crystal as she added some glitter to her paper heart.
"Is that a good thing?" asked Crystal with a grin.
Both of them laughed and continued working. Mark played around with some footage with Joanne while Roger sipped a beer on the couch.
"You know what guys? We should have a Valentine's Day party," said Maureen.
"Um, I guess so but Crystal and I have Life support tonight so it'll have to be later," said Roger.
"Oh, come on! Why do they have to have meetings on holidays anyway?" said Maureen with a pout.
"The holidays can be the most depressing and traumatic times for people baby. Besides, it's only an hour," said Joanne.
"Ok, what time is it at?" asked Maureen.
"Seven," said Roger.
"At eight o' clock we're gonna throw the best V-day party ever! Oh, I know what we can do. The girls should get red dresses and they can pick out their own style. And the guys should get nice suits! It'll be so fun!" said Maureen eagerly.
"Um, one problem. How would we be paying for this affair?" asked Mark.
"Three letters Marky. A-T-M," said Maureen.
"Yeah but we can't keep stealing from it, especially large amounts or it'll be noticed," said Roger.
"Ok, no fancy clothes, but still a party," said Maureen.
"You got it," said Joanne.
The table was littered with crayons, markers, paper, glitter, doilies and whatever else Maureen felt would be necessary. Soon enough, the windows and walls were covered with red paper hearts. A few of them had their names on it in glitter and she put those all together on the door.
"Damn Mo it looks like a third grade classroom in here," said Roger.
"Very funny Davis," said Maureen.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
When seven o' clock rolled around, Crystal and Roger said goodbye to the others and headed for life support. There was about an inch of snow on the ground and ice, so Crystal made sure to be careful in her heels.
"So, what's up?" asked Roger. He didn't know what else to say and he didn't want the whole time they were walking together to just be quiet.
"Oh, nothing, just enjoying myself making paper hearts like a six year old," she said. They both laughed.
"But seriously, nothing's really new at all. I'm happier than I've been in a while so that's always good," she said.
There's more I want to tell you. I'm afraid of losing you, I hear you at night. I don't know what I'll do without you she thought to herself.
"I'm glad you're happy, I must be doing something right," he said.
"Well, yeah, since you're cooking is so wrong," Crystal said.
"That was one time and we were able to put it out!" said Roger.
"I know, I'm just kidding, chill," she said.
When they arrived at Life Support, Roger held the door open for her and they both walked inside. Everyone was seated at the circle and they took their places.
"Well, I'd like to start this meeting by saying Happy Valentine's Day to everyone. I know it may not seem like a happy occasion to some, but remember it is the day celebrating love," Paul said.
"Happy Valentine's Day," they all said.
"And if we can, today I'd like our topic of discussion to be love. And not just for each other, but for people who have wronged you because of your illness. One of the steps of healing is forgiveness. Now, who would like to being today?" asked Paul.
Crystal slowly raised her hand.
"Yes Crystal?"
"Well, I was on the subway the other day and I met this boy. He was so cute and we really hit it off. He wanted to go out sometime and I of course accepted," she said.
"What happened next?" asked Paul.
"Well, he wanted to hang out tonight, and I accepted but told him I had Life Support first and he backed out…" said Crystal.
Roger remembered when that happened. She came home in tears and locked herself in his room for hours.
"That must really hurt. How many of you have had similar experiences?" Paul asked the group.
A couple of people raised their hands.
"I forgive him though, I mean he doesn't understand," said Crystal.
"I'm glad you do. It shows your maturity and strength," said Paul. "Anybody else have a story?" he then asked.
A woman in her twenties raised her hand.
"Yes Jennifer?" said Paul.
"I was with a guy named Sean. We were very much in love and were going to get married. Before we got engaged, however, he had a one night stand at a party and became infected with HIV. He didn't know, and passed it on to me. Well, after we found out, we were devastated. He felt guilty, and I felt angry and betrayed. Eventually he thought of the idea that we should both kill ourselves to free us from the illness. I didn't agree to it because I wanted to live. I didn't want to give in and let this defeat me. He went along and did it anyway. Even after all the pain he's caused me, I was still hurt by his death because I loved him, I really did," she said.
Roger and Crystal felt her pain; the story seemed to apply to both of them in their own way. After a few more stories, including Roger sharing his about his first night with Mimi at the Life Café, the meeting dispersed and they went back home before Maureen would flip about them being late for her party.