December 17th, 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

We sit, eat and talk in the pizzeria for hours, but it certainly didn't feel like that. I tell her about my life in the East Village, and even before. I tell her about Roger, Mimi, Collins- the people I want her to meet. Most importantly, I tell her about Angel and the disease that killed her. Compared to most people, Maddie takes this news relatively easily, though she is concerned. She asks all the right questions, too.

"Wait a second- you made Today 4 U?"

"Yeah!" I can't believe Maddie knows about my movie. "You saw it?"

"Yeah, Professor Collins showed it to us."

"That's right. I did know he wanted to show it to his class. Did you make the connection that it was about him?"

"Yeah. He's been through a lot of shit. That's why I like him."

Now Maddie tells me of her life in Jersey. She smiles as she paints for me a picture of her parents, her sister, her high school. It's very obvious that she'd be an awesome writer, because she's an amazing storyteller. I just sit and listen as she creates a universe around me. It's obvious she absolutely adores her home and her family.

"I guess you're going to see them soon."

"I wish I could, but I don't know if I can make it home."

"What do you mean?" Maddie's stern glance tells me to drop it. I'm no stranger to family drama, so I'm sure she'll tell me when she's ready.

"I like you a lot, Mark Cohen."

"I like you a lot too, Madeleine Parker."

"We should go," she says, looking at her watch. " It's late, and the waiter's been giving us dirty looks for the past hour and a half. He probably wants to go home to his family."

"Ok. Wanna go up to the loft and meet everyone?"

"Mark! We just met. That's like taking me to meet your mother right after the first date!"

"I wouldn't take you to meet my mother- I wouldn't wish that on anybody."

"Mark- you said it yourself, they're more your family than she is."

I just laugh. And laugh and laugh. Watching me makes Maddie break down, too, and we just sit at the table in silent hysterics.

"Can I ask why you want to teach choir instead of English?"

"Because not only do I fancy myself as a writer, I also have a very long history of singing."

"Do you sing as well as you tell stories?" She blushes almost as furiously as I do. My voice softens, just seeing her blush and knowing that's something else we share. "Because then I think you'd be a perfect addition to the Bohemians."

"When you say it like that, it sounds like a rock group," Maddie grins, and I laugh again. "Seriously though, I do want to meet them, but before we do, there's something I have to tell you."

"What?"

"I may not have AIDS, but I bet I'm as sick as they are. Death is as much a part of my world as it is of yours. I can understand how scared they are because I live the same way, every minute of every day."

"What do you mean?" My throat goes dry as I see Maddie's hand reach for the hat. I know what she means, then, but I don't want to believe it. I don't want to believe that this girl who so completely fascinates me is completely bald.

"Mark, I have cancer."

"Oh my God, Mads…"

"I know…" she breaks down, this time in tears. I walk around the table and hold her. "I've had leukemia for the last two years now. I was diagnosed the day before I graduated high school." Damn. "Cancer and AIDS are more alike than you think. Your own body turns on you…"

"And there's no cure," I spat bitterly. I felt terrible then, but when I saw Maddie flinch, it was worse.

"Yes, but you can also attempt to control your symptoms. People with AIDS have AZT, and I have my chemo. Fortunately, my prognosis is pretty good- at least, good enough that I can handle going to school. But I can't set myself off or I might get sick again. I want to live each moment like it's my last." That last sentence rings a bell.

"Have you ever been to Life Support?"

"I have, actually. I just sat in the back and listened, because I don't have HIV, but still, being terminally ill bonds people… seeing your film got me interested. Your work is.. unbelievable, Mark."

"I think we're even now," I smile. "We've each shared our secrets."

"Those things aren't secrets, Mark. They're hardly things to be ashamed of, and, more importantly, they're not who we are. I'm more than a bald head full of chemicals and ideals and you are so much more than a film that people saw and liked. They helped to shape us, but they are not who we are."

"Is that why you came to New York? Because you're… sick?"

"It was a big factor. I go to the hospital every once in a while for a check up, and I can go to college and have the best medical attention in the world in a matter of minutes."

"And you can't even go home for Christmas?"

"No." For a split second, I see tears in her eyes, but she swallows them. "My parents will be coming up soon, though."

"I used to look like this," she says suddenly, hunting through her handbag. She pulls out a crumpled senior portrait. Her hair cascaded down in waves of scarlet, and her whole body was much rounder.

"My 'crowning glory,'" Maddie smiles wistfully at the photograph.

At this point, I stop pitying her. I stop thinking about trying to ease her pain. I just do what my instincts are telling me to- I learn across the table and kiss her. It takes Maddie completely by surprise, but she certainly isn't angry at me. That kiss reminds me of that cheap champagne we drank that New Year's Eve when we broke into the loft. It makes me feel giddy and spontaneous and strangely- alive.

"You're beautiful," I whisper when we part. Maddie grins.

"Thank you," she whispers back. She tilts her head up, and notices our surroundings pale.

"Hey Mark, look! It's snowing!" I smile and tilt my head up to the sky, too. In the clouds that are softly dropping snow on our cheesy little scene, I can almost see Angel's beautiful grin. Thanks, Ang, I say silently.

"Want to go meet the Bohos?" I turn back to Maddie.

"Yeah, let's do it. No day but today."