The last chapter…it was nice writing this…I feel like I did well. This one is kinda short, sorry about that, but I kept breaking down in the middle of typing so I had to just stop and stick with what I had…hope you like it!
Collins
My baby is…My Angelcake is…The love of my life…is…gone. It was exactly ten months and seven days ago that I met her. My Angel…she saved my life too that day—in more than one way. Not only did she take me from the clutches of death and helped me to heal, she healed my broken heart. Before Angel, I was a wanderer. I was lost, looking for love anywhere I could find it or worse just avoiding any sort of love at all. I would surround myself in my work or go off and have pointless sex trying ever so hard to fill the hole in my life. But nothing filled that hole. Nothing, well actually, no one, filled that hole until Angel came along.
She was my saving grace. Without her I don't know what I'd be doing with my life today…or even if I'd be here. When I saw her, that lonely December 24th, 1989, I knew I was going to die. I'd just found out, not but three months earlier that I'd contracted AIDS from one of my pointless rendezvous. I was sickened with myself, ready for my life to be over…But suddenly I heard this melodic voice asking me if I was okay…somehow I knew it was going to get better. I could feel it.
"You okay honey?" Angel asked me, her smiling yet concerned face never leaving mine.
"I'm afraid so…"
"They get any money?"
"No, had none to get. But they purloined my coat. Well," I shouted in frustration…I was such an angry person then; those were such dark times, "you missed a sleeve!"
Angel just smiled and took a handkerchief out of her pocket reaching over to wipe off one of my cuts. I instantly flinched away…I couldn't risk infecting this Angel in front of me…it wouldn't be right.
"Hell, it's Christmas Eve! I'm Angel…"
"Angel…indeed." And that was the start of our life together. We spent every waking moment together after that. There were good times, there were rough times, there were all sorts of times, but no matter what, we got through it all. Together.
But then, she started getting sick and there was nothing I could do to protect her from this disease in which her own blood cells betrayed her. I tried and I tried, but all I could do was watch her slowly and painfully die.
Each day she suffered, I suffered. Each time she cried out in pain, my heart cried ten fold. Each time she coughed uncontrollably, I felt myself dying slowly alongside her. And god, I wish it had been me instead of her. But it wasn't me…it was she.
Beep…beep…beep…
Collins sat on a hard plastic chair in Angel's hospital room, watching her sleep. Her ragged breaths tore a hole in Collins heart and for at least the third time that day, he wept. Not just tears, but he wept his sorrows, his pains, his fears… he released them all with his tears.
Angel started when she heard Collins' weeping and she placed her hand gingerly on his. "Collins baby, you're not crying again are you?"
Collins quickly wiped his tears away, "No, I was just…I had…no, I wasn't cryin' Angelcake."
Still having her sense of humor, Angel cocked an eyebrow at Collins, "Are you lying to me baby? 'Cause you know what happens to liars…they get their mouths washed out with soap. When I get out of this bed, just you wa—" Angel was interrupted by a series of violent coughs that shook her thin frame.
"Angel, are you okay? Do you want some water?" Collins asked nervously?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine…just a little cough, I'm fine sweetie." Angel tried to smooth the wrinkles out of Collins forehead as he sat nervously over his lover.
"Angel baby…I'm scared. I know I'm not supposed to be, and I know you want me to be strong for you, and I know I'm supposed to be the man, and…and…a-and…but s-s-sometimes Angel, I just get so a-afraid." Tears now racked the bigger man's shoulders and he tried to stop to no avail.
Angel couldn't help but cry too when she saw her lover this way. "Shhh, baby boy, I'm not going anywhere anytime soon…you'll always have me in your heart…shhh."
Angel stroked Collins head as his tears slowed down until his face became dry.
"Do you mind if I climb in with you…I-I-I just wanna be close to you, one last time."
"Sure Collins." Angel scooted over and let Collins climb in the bed next to her. She knew if the doctors were to come in this would be totally against the rules, but she didn't care. She wanted to be close to her man.
When Collins was fully settled in the bed with her, Angel began to speak.
"You know Collins, that my days here are less and less with each day, "Collins tried to interrupt but Angel stopped him, "No, Collins, you and I both know it's true. I'm dying. Now I want you to listen closely to me, because I'm only going to say this once. I want you to be happy. And don't trick yourself into thinking you are happy, because I can tell when you aren't, and I'll be watching you. I want you to live you life…I'm living proof that we don't all have as long as we think we do. But most importantly Collins…" Angel choked up at this point and it seemed as if she couldn't go any further. Yet, she did.
"Collins, d-d-don't forget me. I know it sounds foolish now, but one day, there's gonna be some other young boy out there and you're gonna fall in love again. B-But keep me close to your heart Collins, keep me always close."
Collins looked at Angel with awe. How could someone this wise be about to leave him? How could the best thing in his life be vanishing every second of the day?
"Angel, I could never forget you. You were my life when I had none. When I was hurting and down trotted, you lifted me up and made me feel again…if not for you I wouldn't even be here. I love you so much baby…I love you so much…"
The two fell into a comfortable silence and slowly fell asleep together.
God, Ang, I miss you already. And I could never ever forget you. You will always be on my mind. In the good times, in the bad times, whenever I see a flower I'll think of you…whenever I see a star I'll think of you. You will be in my every waking minute baby just because I love you. God must have really needed some help up there, because he took the best one from us…
Live in my house
I'll be your shelter
Just pay me back with one thousand kisses
Be my lover
And I'll cover you
Open your door—I'll be your tenant
Don't got much baggage to lay at your feet
But sweet kisses I've got to spare
I'll be there and I'll cover you
I think they meant it
When they said you can't buy love
Now I know you can rent it
A new lease, you were my love on life
All my life
I've longed to discover
Something as true as this is
So with a thousand sweet kisses
I'll cover you
Oh lover, I'll cover you
Five-hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
Five-hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear
Collins placed a single rose on Angel's closed coffin, alongside her drumsticks. It was the end of a legacy. His queen was gone and would never return. But her spirit would always live. In the hearts of those who loved her, the hearts of those who knew her, and the hearts of lovers everywhere Angel would be alive. If ever again, two people needed to stand up for love, Angel would be there cheering them on. But now she was with her own kind; the Angels. And there forevermore, she would rest.
Oh lover, I'll cover you
FIN.
A/N: Thank you SOOOO much for your encouraging reads and reviews!! People don't realize that even just one review makes me get so excited…I'm glad you all enjoyed. If I could, I would hug you all.