By Christie Ambert
Feedback: [email protected]
©2000
The couple sat on the big dinner table with four pairs of eyes,
eyeing them closely. Christine looked at the boys and she suddenly felt very
self-conscious.
“Is something wrong?” She asked.
“Who is this beautiful creature I see before me and why is she
drooling over JC?” Chris joked making her smile.
“I’m Christine…” She began saying but was cut off by JC.
“This is Christine Griffin, she works for the COBY AIDS Foundation.
She’s also one of Rocio’s best friends.” HE explained.
“Oh.” They all said in
unison.
“What do you do there?” A shy blonde guy with green eyes asked.
“I coordinate the activities to raise awareness and funds for AIDS
research.” She explained as she took a sip of her drink.
“By the way this is Chris, James, Joey, and Justin.” JC mentioned.
“Nice to meet you. Wait these are your band members right?” She asked.
“Yeah you can call me Lance everyone does.” Lance said extending his
hand. She shook his hand and smiled.
“No! Call him Lansten.” Chris joked.
“No! Call him James.” Joey said.
“No! Just call him…uh…SCOOP!” Justin said making everyone laugh.
“Well I’ll just call you Lance.” Christine said.
“Tell us more about this charity Miss Griffin.” One of the other
guests asked.
“Well Coby Barton was my boss first son and he died about two years
ago of AIDS. Mr. Barton decided to create a charity to help raise funds for
AIDS research. Also we have a few people that go to the high schools and talk
about the disease and how not to get it. How to treat AIDS patients.” She
explained. She felt like the hit of the party.
“Mr. Gutierrez, you didn’t tell me that the honored guest was this
young and pretty.” One of Mr. Gutierrez lawyer friends asked.
“I told you she was amazing. What she needs is enough people to be
able to get a lot of media attention. I figured it’s a good cause and she’s my
daughter’s age.” He commented to his buddy.
After they all had desert, Christine excused herself and headed to
the ladies’ room. She opened the door and locked it. After taking a few deep
breaths, she looked at herself in the mirror and smile. She had accomplished
more than she thought she would. Not only did she get a few people to donate
money for the ball but also she had gotten the acts she needed to make this
ball as special as she wanted.
Everyone had gathered in the gazebo that was located on the back of
the house. They were talking and drinking. JC saw Christine walking towards the
gazebo and met her half way.
“Hey you missed Justin and Chris playing hide-and-go-seek.” He said
handing her a drink.
“Thanks. I cant believe I missed that. Those guys are crazy. I bet
you never have a dull moment when they’re around.” She said enjoying the nice
view of the property.
“Well they’re not around now and I’m enjoying myself.” Her eyes
widened when she heard that. Her face was bright red, she laughed nervously and
turned to look at him. They’re eyes met and he lowered his head and kissed her
softly. OHMYGOD! She thought to herself.
“I’ve been wanting to do that all day.” He said sliding his arm
around her waist. She got a bit closer to him.
“So you’re leaving to do that promotional thing. Are you gonna be
back for the holidays?” She asked. She wanted to slap herself after she heard
herself.
“I’m going back to Maryland for the holidays, then we’re off to put
the finishing touches on the album and we have to learn the choreography and
rehearse for the tour. Busy as hell.” He explained. Her smile faded when she
realized he would have that much time to go out or anything.
“Well whenever you feel like venting out or something email me.” God
I’m just on stupid mode today are I, she thought to herself.
“That my dear I will. And I’ll call whenever I get a chance.” He
said looking at her. She found the floor more interesting at the moment.
“Look at me.” He ordered. She did as she was told.
“I meant what I said about getting to know you better. And I can
tell you right now that I’m fascinated by you. You are the most compassionate
person I know. Maybe some of that compassion might rubbed off on me and make me
a better person.” He said.
She smirked. “So you want me to rub off on you?” They both laughed
at the remark.
“Oh my god you’re terrible.” He said running her hands through her
red hair.
“Yeah I know.” She joked. She touched his cheek and pulled him
closer to her and kissed him.
“Remind me to thank Rocio for this.” He said kissing her again.
“Yeah and remind me to apologize for making out at her dinner
party.” He suddenly stopped when he heard what she said.
“I’m sorry I got carried away.” He apologized.
“I need to get out of here. I got tons of stuff to do.” She said
walking away from him. He grabbed her arm and pulled her to him.
“I want to spend as much time as I can with you.” He blurted out.
“I guess the feeling is mutual then. Call me ok?” She said walking
away from him.
He stood there watching her walk away and a smile crept on his face.
She had touched him in so many ways. She taught him about her selfish attempts
and determination to find the money for research. She was determined to find a
cure. Why was she so determined? That was something he would have to find out.
He bumped into Rocio and smiled. Rocio gave him a questioning look
but then smiled back.
“You know I hate it when you’re right.” JC said.
“I think everyone does but I’m always right. So?” She asked. She
wanted details.
“I think I want to get to know her better. And I kissed her.” He
said with a triumphant smile.
“She kissed you back?” She had to make sure Christine was responding
to his approach.
“Uh ye-ah.” He responded.
“What’s wrong?” Rocio was concerned. This doesn’t look good, she
thought to herself.
“I have to go on this promotional thing for the group. And I know
she’s not thrilled about it. I think she might feel like I’m not being serious
about this.” He tried to explain.
“Are you going to the ball?” She asked.
“Actually we get home that day but then I’m here for rehearsals and
then I’m heading home for the holidays. I’m not gonna be able to spend a lot of
time with her. God I just met her and I’m treating her like my girlfriend
already.” HE said running his hands through his hair.
“Days like this you should thank God that I’m your friend. What you
need to do is show up at the ball. I mean you didn’t agree to play at the ball
or anything right?” Rocio was already making a plan in her mind that would
work.
“Right. Show up at the ball. That’s perfect! You are a genius.” He said kissing her cheek.
“I know.” She said looking at her nails.
PRESENT TIME…
A tear ran down his cheek and he ran his hands through his dark hair
as he sighed in frustration. He was tired of what his life had become and he
hated himself for not being able to make enough time to spend with her during
her last months. There was a soft knock on his door. He stood up and opened the
door to find her with a shock expression on her face.
“Rocio…I…um…” He began saying when she wrapped her arms around him.
They both cried in each other’s arms for what it seemed forever. When they
broke away from the embrace, he walked over to his window.
“I have something for you. She wanted me to give you this when she
was gone.” Rocio said handing him a lunch box.
“What is this?” He asked opening the box. He found an envelope and a
CD. She looked up and met his blue eyes.
“It’s her last wish. It’s your turn.” She said. He looked at her
like she was crazy.
“What do you mean is my turn?” His anger was beginning to surface.
He looked at the envelope and the CD clueless.
“Vicki had the box. She gave it to Justin. Justin gave it to Lance
and Lance gave it to me. Read the letter before you go snap, crackle and pop on
me alright.” Rocio shot back.
He sat on the floor and opened the letter.
December
1, 1999
Dearest Josh,
I just went to my doctor, he told me
that I’m HIV positive. I know this letter might sound like I’m cheerful and
strong but I’m really not. I know you’ve got your life and your career
therefore I don’t expect you to stop just so you can take care of me. I do love
you and I always will, don’t forget that.
The reason why you’re getting this
letter today is because I want to make sure that I get my way, even when I’m
dead. This is a big thing, at least to me so you have to do everything I ask
for. My funeral has to be perfect. There’s a CD along with this letter. That CD
has my all time favorite songs, I want you to play them at my funeral. I want
people to wear red and black, there’s actually an invitation being made to the
people I want at my funeral. Pretty Cool huh?
I know that you’re probably
confused, angry and inconsolable right now, at least I think you are, hell I
would be, but I want you to know that you meant everything to me. And I know
that you will keep your promise, remember you said you’d be there when it’s
time for me to fly away.
I don’t know what else to tell you.
I’m heartbroken but at the same time I have accepted this. You made a lot of my
dreams come true. I hope that when you begin questioning yourself you remember
all the dreams you made come true.
I will always love
you,
Christine
He folded the letter and put it in
the box. He grabbed his bag and hopped in his car, driving always helped him
clear his mind.