I DO NOT OWN RENT (MR. LARSON DOES REST HIS SOUL). I ONLY OWN DAVID AND SOME OTHER ADD ON CHARACTERS TO COME.

ITALICS THOUGHTS

REVIEW PLEASE AND ENJOY!

Chapter Three

The community Theatre was bustling with activity, with excitement. Even though it was almost at a chaotic sight Mark couldn't help but film all of the children laughing and giggling as they put on their costume pieces. Some were trees, and some were spoons and some even dinner plates. The play was called "The Dish and The Spoon" written by Maureen Johnson and Joanne Jefferson. Looking back Joanne could remember how happy Maureen was when Joanne turned her protest into a children's play . . .

"Oh pookie you didn't! It's awesome! It's fabulous! It's-"

"So you?" Joanne giggled.

"Yes as a matter of fact it is! This is going to be great pookie." Maureen blushed.

"Because we did it together right honey bear?" sweetly Joanne held Maureen in her arms as Maureen happily obliged.

"Because we did it together pookie." Maureen said as they shared a passionate kiss.

Joanne couldn't believe how happy Maureen was and didn't want to ruin such a mood that she was in. She spotted a big group of spoons and forks and made sure that they went through Maureen to get their make-up right.

Joanne held her hand up to get their attention "Ok children please listen to Miss Joanne. You all are going to do well this evening but please listen. I need you all to be on your best behavior tonight because Principal Romsa and Vice Principal Jonas are here to see your beautiful show and I want to give them the show that you know how to do and that they deserve. Okay? Make me proud! Now go finish getting ready!" Eying a couple of children picking their noses and wiping it on their brand new costumes, Joanne knew that this night was going to be an extremely long one.

The minute that Joanne was thinking of calling the whole thing off she heard her Maureen calling her "Pookie! Pookie!" the performance artist flailed her arms when she spotted her girlfriend with Mark trailing behind her with his beloved camera recording everything in sight. Spotting three little girls dressed as dinner napkins Mark smiled behind his camera and recorded them singing their part in the play. Realizing that no one could possibly come up with such awesome costumes except for Angel, Mark continued to record the children "Wow, Angel must have REALLY helped them." He chuckled and continued to walk around.

Maureen ran up to Joanne and tried to kiss the lawyer, but trying to conceal the kiss Joanne quickly moved her head away. "Maureen please not here. These people don't think that we should be a...we." Seeing that her girlfriend clearly didn't understand Joanne held both of her arms and looked straight into her eyes. "Maureen, they don't know that we are together. I haven't told them about us or our life together, because I know that they would never understand or probably even accept it. It's nothing against you, but I just don't want to jeopardize how hard you and I have worked on this production because of some possible homophobes."

Maureen couldn't believe what she was hearing. She couldn't believe that Joanne denied their love. They were who they were everywhere, what would make this place so different?

I mean Joanne wanted to do this to help the children and give them something productive to do. It's not like it's a huge thing at her legal aid firm. Why doesn't she want to share our love with everyone around us? What all of a sudden does she care about what others think? She's ashamed of me! That's what it is! She's ashamed of me! I'll show her.

This was probably the most sincere Maureen has ever been in her whole life, let alone with her girlfriend. "Joanne, I can't believe that you don't want to share our love with everyone around us. What have I done deserving this huh? What have I done!" Maureen's temper was escalating by the second and Joanne knew it.

Oh my goodness, she's serious. Her eyes are getting big, dammit where is the nearest exit. We need to talk outside.

"Honey bear please, it's nothing against you. I just can't-"

Maureen quickly cut her off "Can't what! Can't do what Joanne! You proved to your parents that you were going to be who you were despite what they wanted you to be! You proved to them that you weren't going to change because they said so! You showed them that you truly did love me! ME! Not some rich lawyer guy, me! Your girlfriend!" Slowly parents started to stare and whisper which made Joanne even more nervous. Just when it really started to get heated up Mark came and put his camera away going straight for Maureen who was beginning to scream at the top of her lungs clearly pissed and hurt. He began to hold her back.

"You love me Joanne Jefferson! You love me and nothing is going to change that! You said that you would never change how you felt or who you were for anybody! You said that!" Maureen was beyond furious now, she was determined to say what she had to say regardless of who was listening and who was around.

"Honey bear please-" Joanne pleaded as Mark tried to hold Maureen back. "Maureen calm down! Don't do this here! There are kids here for cryin' out loud!" Mark struggled to shout.

"Shut up Mark!" she said with a huff, "Don't you honey bear me Miss Ivy League!" Maureen snatched her right hand out of Mark's seemingly tight grip.

Hearing that something major was going on Collins and Angel walked into what looked like was going to become World War III. "Oh shit." Collins muttered as he glanced at Angel who still continued to rub his head. "Damn, I really don't feel good." Angel whispered.

Mark spotted his friends and waved them over because Maureen's other wrist was slowly getting out of his grip "Collins! Help!" Collins quickly ran over to hold Joanne and try to leave some space between the two bohemians as they argued.

Angel wanted to help, he hated to see everyone argue but more and more he wasn't feeling very well and slowly started to slip into a chair that was nearby. "Fuck, my head." He muttered.

"You know what Maureen, I'm sick of your shit! I'm trying to do the best that I can! I'm sorry that I can't be all that you want-"

"Fuck you Joanne! I need someone that is going to be true to who they are and not be a self hating bitch!"

Joanne pressed, "Maureen who the hell do you think are! I don't-"

"Get away from me! I don't want you any more anyway! You're nothing to me! Get away from me I said! GET OUT OF MY LIFE!" In completely and unadulterated anger Maureen yanked herself from Mark's grip and stormed out of the backstage of the Theatre and eventually out of the Theatre itself. Shocked Joanne just stood there in extreme hurt and embarrassment while Collins and Mark tried to snap her back into reality.

Just as parents were starting to come up to Joanne to question her there was a scream coming from one of the volunteer teachers Miss Abram "Oh my God! Miss! Miss! Are you all right! Miss! Please wake up!" the woman screamed trying to wake the petite drag queen. Of course she had no idea of whom Angel was or what Angel was. "Oh my God! HELP!" the teacher waved to some parents who had no idea of what to do or whether they wanted to touch him.

"ANGEL!" Collins screamed as he pushed people out of the way. He held the street drummer, the love of his life in his arms almost crying "Baby! Angel! Oh my God!" With no effort the strong black man grabbed Angel and held him as if he was carrying his bride over the threshold of a house. "Mark! Come with me! Joanne please give him the keys!" Mark grabbed Joanne's keys and ran toward Collins who was still holding a seemingly lifeless Angel. "Joanne! I'll be back for you don't worry!" Mark yelled turning his as he followed his friend to the car. The look on Joanne's face still didn't change. She thought:

Dear God, what else is going to go wrong today?