Maureen

Look at Collins over there…my best friend is going through so much shit right now he can't even put it to words. I wish I could just get up and hug him. But the way he's feeling, not even a hug from his best friend could help heal a heart broken into that many pieces.

It brings me to tears when I think about Angel being gone. She was one of those people I expected to be in my life forever. Even if it has only been about a year since I met her, I could have sworn it would have lasted. She just had an air about her, ya know? The kind that made me believe she would always be here. Not just for me, but for us all. She was the glue that held out little dysfunctional family together. But now that she's gone, who knows what's going to happen to us?

Roger's running away to Santa Fe. I guess he thinks he can just leave all his troubles behind, like Mimi. And now Mimi's with Benny. That jerkface won't do her any good but I know how she feels; she can't stand being so lonely. Poor Marky too…he's always all alone in the world now. Plus he works for that sleazy news show, Buzzline. And Joanne…fuck, why can't I stop thinking about her? We were supposed to be finished. She didn't want me, and I didn't want her. That's it. There is no more to it.

But I do want her. I want her a lot too. And I miss her more than anything…I wish Angel was here to help me out. She always had the best advice for me. Like I remember one time when Jo and I had a fight, Angel gave me this recipe and I made Joanne the best dinner ever. I had that woman back in my bed and in my heart in thirty minutes.

Man, I am really gonna miss her. She was the perfect lady. Friendly, nice, giving, she could dress…No one could beat Angel at anything. I always would tell her that when I grew up I wanted to be just like her; she was my role model.

But the best thing about Angel wasn't her poise or the way she dressed; it was her commitment to my best friend. Never in my life has that man been so happy. He's always been running around trying to forget his sadness, never stopping to appreciate anything. But then Angel came and he got settled. It was the happiest I'd ever seen him…I don't think he'll ever be that happy again either.

The phone rang three times before Maureen picked it up one early Saturday morning. She was still tired from the previous night's antics with the Bohos and all she wanted to do was sleep, but someone else had other plans.

"Hello?" she groaned from her bed.

"Mo? Are you awake? Wake up girl, it's like noon already!"

"Who the fuck is this?"

"It's your best friend…can't you tell?" Collins asked sounding a little sad that Maureen couldn't tell it was him.

"Collins, what do you want? I was trying to sleep…"

"Mo, I have the bestest news ever!!" Collins said with excitement in his voice, "I met someone."

Maureen perked up at this, "You did what?"

"I met someone…someone amazing."

"Collins, you're not shitting me are you?"

"Nope! His name is Angel. And he's a cross dresser too, so I guess her name is Angel. But Maureen, he's so sexy! He has the perfect skin, the nicest brown eyes, and he takes care of me…"

"Wow, all this in one night…I need me one of those women."

"Yeah, so Angel met me last night when I got beat up—"

"Collins!" Maureen interrupted, "you got beat up?"

"It's no big deal. Anyway, she met me and made me feel all better…Maureen, I think I'm falling in love with her."

"After one night? Well damn Collins, was the sex any good?"

"We didn't even have sex…that's how I know I'm falling in love. Usually it takes me getting some ass to know…but if I feel this way without getting any…"

"You must really be in love. Oh, Collins, I'm so happy for you, best friend!"

"I know, best friend! But, um, I want you to meet her. I hafta get your stamp of approval before we can let this thing get any further, okay?"

Maureen laughed, "Alright…when do I get to meet this lovely lady?"

"Well, how about tonight after your performance in Tent City? At the Life Café sound good?"

"Sounds perfect…I'll see you tonight playa!"

"Peace!"

The two friends hung up and went on with their days. Maureen mentally prepared for her protest…this one was extrememly important. Collins and Angel, on the other hand, got to "know" each other a little better. That night after the protest, Maureen and Angel finally met.

"Hi, I'm Angel…you must be Maureen."

Maureen looked the woman up and down before smiling and shaking her hand, "I'm Maureen! Whoo, I'm glad you're not a ho…I would've had to shank you!"

Angel's smile slowly faded as she nodded, "Right…well, um, Collins has told me so much about you, I'm glad to get to meet you!"

"Has he really?! Gosh, my best friend talks about me even to his woman? He needs a life."

Angel giggled, "No, I thought it was sweet, chica."

"Chica…ooh, are you Latina? I like that…we can put some culture into Collins."

Angel laughed and the two women got to know each other much better over the course of the night and many, many drinks of the alcoholic nature. When all the couples—and Mark—were leaving for the night, Collins and Maureen caught up to each other to talk.

"So, did you like her?" Collins asked eagerly.

"Hell yes! She's like the perfect girlfriend for you…and the perfect friend for me! Win-win buddy!"

"Score!" Collins exclaimed to mainly himself, "I liked your new girlfriend too…"

"Oh really? Nice!! Collins…do you realize that we're both no longer single, buddy?"

"I know Mo…what are we gonna do now…we're all tied down to the house, gotta take care of our womens and stuff."

"Oh, man, I never thought of it that way…"

"But I really am glad you like her Maureen. I'm falling in love with her you know…and I just want my best friend in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD to like her too…ya know?"

"I do…and I do like her Collins. I could see myself loving her too…I see now what you find so appealing."

Collins looked around before whispering into Maureen's ear, "And she's Latina!"

"I know!!!"

As I remember those times, I smile…I really did come to love Angel. She was like a big sister, a best friend…everything I needed and wanted. And she made Collins head over heels happy…that's all that's really important to me. Well, I guess I should say something now, out of respect, ya know? It would be the right thing to do. I should comfort him…he is my besty after all (Maureen smiled when she said this). Here goes nothing…

"So much more original than any of us. You'd find an old table cloth on the street and make a dress and then the next year they'd sure enough be mass producing them at The Gap. You always said how lucky we were to still be friends. But it was us baby. We were the lucky ones."