Chapter 8



It had been a few days since A.C.'s episode at the rehearsal hall and Brian still didn't know why she had gone home. He was sitting in his room, doing his devotions when the phone rang. He decided to let the machine get it.

"Brian? It's Morgan. Look I have to take A.C. to the hospital. Something's wrong. I'll be back later. You can reach me on my cell. 745-5238. Bye. Oh pray for her, would ya?" click.

"Hospital?" he exclaimed out loud. He grabbed his coat and ran to their apartment.


Morgan was sitting in the waiting room when Howie got there with AJ. She was crying and trying to hide it. Howie sat next to Shai and AJ sat next to Morgan. Brian was pacing the halls like an expectant father. AJ put his arm around Morgan and tried to comfort her.

Brian turned to her. "Do you know what's wrong?"

Morgan looked at AJ. He nodded. AJ started telling what was wrong.

"A.C. has Parkinson's Disease. It's only supposed to affect people older than 20 but..."

"But what? What's wrong?" Brian demanded.

"She's HIV postive. It's affecting her dramatically. She might not even be around for the millennium."

Brian wouldn't accept the news. He covered his ears and ran out of the

hospital. Howie started to cry and Kevin just sat there letting the news sink in. Meanwhile, the doctor had come out and heard the entire converstion. "She's not HIV positive anymore." he told them. "It's progressed. She is now a victim of AIDS. To her body, it a race to the finish."

"The finish of WHAT?" AJ hollered, upset.

"The finish. Of her."


Brian watched from the outside window. He saw their expressions change from bad to worse. He sunk down against the wall. He wept bitterly. A.C. was only fourteen and she was dying. She had her whole life ahead of her and she had AIDS. He just knew it. And there was nothing he could do. He ran to a store just to get away from it. He bought a few things and snuck into her hospital room in the ICU. She was lying on a hard bed in one of those paper robes and had needles sticking in her from everywhere. She slept peacefully as he cried. He rested his head on her stomach and cried. He soon fell asleep. Morgan saw him there and she knew that A.C. was going to be missed. No matter what.


A.C. woke up to find that no one was at the hosptial except for Morgan. She sat up and a book rolled into her lap. She picked it up and read the inside.

A.C.,

Sorry I had to leave, but the guys and I had to go back on tour. You understand. I got you this book so you could write down stuff that happened to you and all so that when I visit (very soon I might add!) I'll know exactly what happened to you on what day and such. Keep Practicin' the B-ball! I want you to be able to beat me when I get back! I'll be prayin' for ya buddy.

Love and Forever Friends,

Brian

Peace out.

A.C. knew that she would do just that. After all, friendship is not something to waste at a time like this. Friendship is all that, AND a bag of chips. Which is exactly what she had with Brian.

She smiled.


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