Chapter 15: Confessions
Maureen sat on the couch of Roger and Mark's loft. She kept her head in her hands, not looking up. Mimi's hand stayed on her friend's shoulder, squeezing it from tie to time.
"What's going on?" Roger whispered to his girlfriend. She shot him a look that said, 'Don't ask right now.'
Mark offered a cup of coffee to the distressed drama queen, but she just pushed it away. He shrugged, and took a sip.
The phone rang, and shortly after, the answering machine picked up.
BBBBEEEEEEEEEPPPP!
"You gonna let us up?" the familiar voice said, "Or keep us outside like farm animals?"
Mark laughed to himself, and went to the balcony. He looked down at Collins and Angel, and tossed the key. Angel intercepted it before the anarchist was able to catch it.
Mark went back in, but was stopped by a sound.
"Angel!" Joanne called from around the corner, "Wait!"
The lawyer caught up with the two, and came inside with them.
Once everyone was seated around the lost, Mimi leaned down and whispered into Maureen's ear. The drama queen looked up, showing her friends her tear-stained cheeks.
"I made a—" she stopped, clearing her throat, "I made a stupid mistake," she told her friends. Mark rolled his eyes, knowing this all to well. But Mimi kicked his shin, as if to tell him, 'Shut up, you asshole!'
"What happed, honey?" Angel asked, coming closer.
"Well, the Reader's Digest version is," she paused, letting a fresh fall of tears come.
Joanne shifted uncomfortably. She was expecting the worst, but secretly hoping that Maureen was pulling a mean prank, and practicing a new act on them.
Mimi squeezed her friend's shoulder for support. Maureen's hand reached up and clutched the dancer's.
"I found out," she continued, "that I," she paused again, taking a deep breath, "have AIDS."
Angel's mouth dropped, and she looked over at Collins, who wrapped his arm around his lover.
Joanne ran over to the drama queen. She sat on her knees before her, and took her face in her hands. Using her thumb, she wiped a tear falling from Maureen's eyes. The latter reached up, and grasped her lover's hand. Their foreheads touched, and Joanne kissed Maureen's nose softly.
"I'll be alright," she whispered, before her lover fell into her arms.
Mimi got up, and moved over to where Roger was sitting. His face was pale, and she what he was thinking. His arms opened as she approached, and she wrapped her around his waist. He kissed the top of her head, and she let her head rest on his chest.
Angel was standing with her back to Collins' chest, and his arms were wrapped around her small frame. Angel reached over the grabbed on of her best friend's hands, squeezing it gently.
Mark looked around at his friends, suddenly scared and knowing that now, no matter what, he would be the last one to survive.
Grabbing his all-too usual scarf and camera, he left the loft without saying a word.