(The play opens in a dark bedroom. A young girl is lying on a bed. There is a table with a phone on it next to her. We hear the sound of voices murmuring in the background. The girl stirs fitfully in her sleep. She awakes and sits up.)

Helen: What was that? I wonder what woke me. (she looks up) Oh, God, what is that?

(A sudden light seems to appear out of nowhere. The light shines brightly and smoothly on the bed’s head rest.)

Helen: (confused) What, who are you? Are you an angel?

(The voices grow louder, all speaking together, one over the other.)

Helen: (eyes wide with fear and awe) I don’t understand! Please, what is going on? (Her voice falls to a whisper then rises on the last no.) No, please no, no, no!!

(The voices grow clear, easier to understand. They whisper): Helen. Seven months, Helen. Seven months.(There is a sudden silence. Then the light intensifies and engulfs the girl. She falls back onto the bed in a dead faint and the light dims faintly into barely a glow. The phone starts ringing. It rings four times before Helen awakes. She gropes for the phone, managing to grab it, but it almost falls off her hand as she fumbles for it. She manages to put it against her ear. The lights brighten.)

Helen: (confused) He- hello. Who is this? (pause) Oh, hi Angel. Yeah, I am going to school. I’m sorry I’m late. I don’t feel well. (She sits up on the bed.) Oh, don’t worry, I’m okay now. I was so scared. (pause) No, I just had a nightmare. But it seemed so real. It’s nothing to fret about. I guess maybe it was a side-effect from the headaches I’ve been having lately. (pause) I have to go, Angel. I will see you in a few minutes. I can’t miss school and I want to see you. (pause) I love you, too. Take care. Bye.

(Helen places phone in the side table. She tries to rise, but falls back into the bed, an expression of pain in her face. She puts her hands against her head.)

Helen: (whispering) Wow. That was strange. Seven months? I don’t get it. Oh well, it’s nothing.

Scene 2

(In the library after school. Angel and Marylee are sitting down and talking.)

Angel: (preoccupied) Have you noticed that Helen looks a little tired lately?

Marylee: Yeah, she is also getting a lot of headaches. What do you think is going on?

Angel: (frowning) I don’t know.

Marylee: (looking at him thoughtfully) No, Angel, I can see something is bothering you. Do you know what is wrong with her? I have a right to know. I’m her friend, too, you know!

Angel: (hesitantly) Well- I don’t know. I thought maybe, you know, she wants to break up with me, but doesn’t know how to tell me. I don’t know what to think anymore.

Marylee: (exclaiming loudly) You are crazy for thinking that Helen would ever leave you. Take my word for it. She loves you.

(Angel and Marylee stand up and walk away to look at some books. Helen comes in and sees them. She backs a few steps away and watches them.)

Helen: (mumbling) Oh, I don’t know what to do. How do I tell him? I don’t know how to tell him we have to break up without hurting his feelings. I have to tell him soon. I just can’t go on with this, but how? What do I say to make him understand? I wish this was easier.

(Helen sits down on the table where Angel and Maryle had been sitting. Marylee wanders off away from Angel , she sees Helen and goes to her. She is holding a library book in her hand.)

Marylee: (surprised) Hello, sweetie. What are you doing here? Angel was looking all over the place for you. I never thought you would be here. So, what are you doing?

Helen: (quietly) Hello, Marylee. I just wanted some peace and quiet. My head hurts.

Marylee: (sitting down next to her and setting the book down) Again? You should really go to the doctor and have him check you over. You always feel sick nowadays.

Helen: (tiredly) No, really, I’m okay. Thanks anyways. I just need a little rest and then I will feel better. ( she huddles down when she sees Angel looking around.)

Marylee: Well, does that include running away from Angel?

Helen: (quickly) Of course not. I just wasn’t feeling well that’s all.

Marylee: (frowning) I know there is something wrong, Helen. I am not psychic, but I am your best friend since kindergarten. I have known you for 12 years, from the time when you use to think that doing that dancing ritual in the rain would bring down dragons.

Helen: (laughing softly) Yes, I remember I used to be quite crazy back then.

Marylee: (teasingly) Used to? Sweetie, you still are.

(Helen smiles at her, but her eyes look tired. Marylee leans forward. She lowers her voice and instantly becomes more serious.)

Marylee: No seriously, Helen, what is wrong? Lately, you always seem tired and I think you look even skinnier than usual. Tell me, please. I want to know what is wrong.

Helen: (avoiding Marylee’s gaze and looking down at er hands) Nothing is wrong, just the headaches. Anyway, I will get better soon. Angel and you have nothing to worry about.

Marylee: (wounded) You are lying to me, Helen. I can always tell when you are lying to me. Why? Why don’t you trust me? I have always been there for you. I know something huge is happening right now. Why won’t you tell me? Don’t you trust or care about me.

Helen: (raising herself off the chair. Loud voice) Of course I care. Who do you think I am? I’ve been trying so hard lately to make everything all right. I have wanted to help you both and you two just don’t get it. I am so tired of all of this and I don’t know what to do.

(She takes a few steps away from the chair towards the door. She wavers a moment then suddenly faints. Marylee stands up quickly and runs towards Helen.)

Marylee: (eyes wide and horrified) Helen!! Helen, please wake up. Please sweetie, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.

(She cradles Helen in her arms. A few seconds later, Helen wakes up. She looks confused and daze.)

Marylee: (relieved) Oh, thank God. I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to go get help, but I didn’t want to leave you alone. What happened? Do you feel better now?

Helen: (disengaging herself from Marylee and standing up a little unsteadily) I don’t know. I think I feel better now. I guess I haven’t been eating well lately. Don’t worry, Marylee, as soon as I eat something I will feel better.

(Marylee hugs Helen gently. She lets go and smiles at her. They both stand up.)

Marylee: Yeah, you are going to eat, but I am going to be there to watch you eat everything I am going to prepare for you.

Helen: (smiling faintly) Oh no, I could never eat that much! I am never going to finish eating. You make enough food to feed an army.

Marylee: (teasingly) Don’t worry, a few more pounds won’t hurt you any. You are too skinny. I need to fatten you up like the witch tried to do with Hanzel and Gretel. You know, Big Foot used to be Little Foot before I started feeding him. You could say I gave him his name. Well, let’s go before I go even crazier. I will help you; I will even carry you if I have too. (Helen shakes her head, but she is smiling). Well, as soon as you are well you have better start acting like a normal human being again or I will have a very serious talk with you. (they start walking out of the library through the front door).Oh!! (Hitting her forehead lightly with the palm of her hand)You know what I forgot; to check out that book. Oh well, I will come back later for it.

(Angel is already at the door. He sees Helen and Marylee walking towards him. His downcast face lights up happily and he smiles. He raises his hand to wave hi, but then lets his hand drop to his side when Helen continues walking by him as if he were not there. His smile fades. Marylee stops, looking from one to the other in confusion. Helen stops. She is turned away from them and her face looks suddenly tired and sad. However, when she turns to face them her face is cold and aloof. )

Helen: (coolly) Marylee, are you coming or not?

Angel: (desperately) Helen, please talk to me. What’s wrong? Why have you been avoiding me lately?

Helen: (ignores him and looks at Marylee) Marrylee?

(Angel moves suddenly forward and grabs Helen by the shoulders. His eyes are pleading. Marylee stays still, watching both of them with wide eyes.)

Helen: (recoiling) Get your hands off me. I don’t want to see you anymore. You and I are over, Angel. I am not going out with you ever again. Go out with Marylee if you need someone. She can cuddle you. You are not my boyfriend anymore. Be a man and get over it. You didn’t do anything wrong, I just got bored with you, okay. Now let go of me, before I get really mad.

Angel: (near tears) But why? I don’t know what I did wrong. I will change if I have to. Please tell me what I did wrong. Why are being so cruel? Why did you break up with me like this?

Helen: (looking at him with contempt) Stop being such a crybaby and get over it. I don’t know why I ever went out with you.

(Angel’s face looks stunned and pained. A woman come in, holding a stack of papers. She walks toward them.)

Librarian: Children, please keep it down this is the library not a circus.

Marylee: I’m sorry, ma’am. We will be leaving.

Libriarian: Good, if you have nothing to do here, then you shouldn’t come to the library and disturb people who are working. (turning to Angel). You, get your hands off that girl.

(Helen’s face grows suddenly pale. Angel is still holding her when she faints. He manages to lay her down gently on the floor. He cradles her head in his arm. He turns to Marylee in desperation, seeking help, but she looks as if she is going to faint herself. The librarian rushes off to find phone.)

Scene 3

(Helen’s bedroom. All three are sitting on the bed. Helen has her hands twined in her lap. Marylee is holding a pillow against her face. Her body is shaking as if she is crying, but she is not making a sound. Angel is sitting next to Helen, stroking her hair gently and looking dazed. Helen smiles softly and looks straight ahead.)

Angel: (slowly and not looking at her) I don’t understand what is going on, Helen. Please, help me.

Helen: (smile fades and looks weary) I don’t know where to start. I started feeling sick a few months ago. I couldn’t get near food without feeling as if I was going to throw up. I started getting headaches that lasted for days and then nosebleeds that took almost hours to stop. I had fainting spells. They came without warning and I didn’t know what to do. Once I even dreamt that angels came down to tell me that I was going to die and I believed them. I believed everything and I tried to drive you both away from me, because it hurt so much. It didn’t work very well, did it? (she laughs, but looks as if she is going to cry.) They told me I was going to die in seven months. Next week the seven months are up.

Angel: But-

Helen: (interrupts him a little harshly) You heard what the doctor said. I have only a few weeks to live at the most. I know, I don’t even have that long, so let’s not go into lengthy explanations that will lead us nowhere.

Marylee: (choking sobbing) You can’t die, you just can’t. We have to do something, anything to make you better. You can’t die, because you are my best friend!!! (jumps off bed)I love you and God is not cruel enough to take you away from me. Remember that I used to like Angel and you told me to go for it, but I knew that you liked him and that he adored the ground you walked on. I ended up advising you to go out with him. Remember how we broke your mom’s favorite silverware and we tried to glue it back together, but we did it all wrong. Remember the time you took the blame when I lost that library book, because you knew I would never be able to pay for it. But most of all, remember that time my dad came home drunk and you told him that if he ever hit me again, drunk or not, you were going to break his puny little body in half, even though you were half his size. You scared him so much that he wouldn’t drink for months after that and he never hurt me again. (she laughs in amazement at the memory, but then her face crumbles and she falls sobbing to the floor.)

(Helen gets off the bed swiftly and hugs Marylee fiercely. Angel watches with an expression of horror. He goes to them.)

Helen: (soft, comforting tone)Hush, hush. It will be okay, I promise. Everything is going to turn out fine.

(They stay that way a few moments, then Helen stands up quickly.)

Helen: (quietly) My mom will be back in a few minutes. I don’t want her to see us this way. I don’t want her to know anything about what is going on with me. Please, promise me you won’t tell her anything.

(Angel and Marylee stand up and look at each other.)

Helen: (shouting) I DON’T WANT MY MOM KNOWING THAT I AM GOING TO DIE!!!

Angel: (shrinking back from her) I promise.

Helen: (turning to look at Marylee) Marylee?

Marylee: (sighting) I promise.

Helen: (smiling): Okay, now you have to leave before she gets here.

(Marylee and Angel hug Helen in turns, then exit. Lights come up. We see Helen pacing up and down in her room. She is mumbling to herself, her arms crossed over her chest.)

Helen: (starts screaming): "AND THE ANGEL OF DEATH CAME DOWN AND SMOTE THE WICKED."

(There is a knock on Helen’s door.)

Helen (still screaming): "AND HE SAID UNTO THE LORD…"

(The knock on the door becomes pounding.)

Mother: (desperately, loud voice): Please, Helen, open up. You are scaring me. What is wrong? Why are you repeating verses from the bible? Please, open the door. You have been this way for days. I don’t know what is wrong. Are you upset about breaking up with Angel? Please, just talk to me. (this last is said in a wavering voice)

Helen: (sounding terrified): MOMMY, I’M SCARED.

Mother: (starts sobbing): I am going to call Marylee. She knows you. She will know what to do.

(We hear footsteps hurrying away. Helen kneels on the floor, her screams turn into desperate sobbing.)

Helen: (looking up at the ceiling and screaming): I don’t want to die. Please, god, I am only seventeen. Don’t take me away. Please, please, PLEASE! What did I do wrong? Please answer me, if you are going to kill me at least answer me and tell me why. Why, god, why must I die?

(For the second time, we see a bright light appear before Helen. This time a figure comes out of the light. The figure is dressed all in white, with a white veil covering his face. He walks towards Helen. She stands up and backs away.)

Helen: (her voice trembling): Who are you? What are you?

Michael (gently): Do you not recognize me, Helen? I have been in your dreams lately. I am the Archangel Michael, the Angel of Death.( he puts out his hand). Here, take my hand. (Helen shrinks away from him.) Don’t be afraid, Helen, I want to show you that what you have seen is not a curse but a gift. A gift from God.

Helen (trembling uncontrollably, but her voice is calmer): How? Will you explain it to me? The dreams, the voices, everything that has been happening to me.

Michael: (nods and takes a few steps forward. Helen hesitates, then moves toward him too.) Yes.

(He puts out his hand and their hands touch. There is a brighter flash of light and a voice, seeming to come out of nowhere and yet everywhere, speaks.) : You have taken the hand of the Angel of Death. Are you ready to accept his mercy?

Michael: (softly) Are you afraid?

Helen: No, I have seen the place where I will go. It is so peaceful, so beautiful. (she is crying silently). Am I leaving now?

Michael (gently and kindly): No, my child, you have time for goodbyes.

(He leans forward and kisses her forehead through the veil. He turns and starts walking away Helen kneels down and holds her hands in prayer as the lights dim and leave her in darkness.)

Scene 4

(Marylee, Angel, and Helen are sitting in a bench at the park.)

Mother : (still sobbing): Why didn’t anyone tell me? Why keep something so huge

a secret?

Angel (looking down at his lap): She made us promise not to say anything. I am sorry. She just didn’t want you to worry.

(Helen walks in silently. She is wearing a white dress. She looks a little pale, but doesn’t sit down.)

Helen (in a strangely steady voice): Mommy, you know? This place reminds me of what Michael, my angel, showed me. This is indeed the kingdom of our Father. Mommy, you always took care of me. I know how hard it was for you to be mother and father to me. Thank you. I love you. Know that I am going to a better place and that I am happy.

(Helen puts out her hand. Her mother takes her hand and brings it up to her face. She doesn’t say anything. Helen turns to look at Marylee.)

Helen: Marylee, you have always been the best. I remember all those things we did together and I cherish them. I am glad that God gave me this chance to say goodbye to the people I love the most. God forgave me my sins and I am almost ready to go. I will always be there for all of you. I need to talk alone with Angel.

(Helen puts out her other hand and Maryleee takes it. Angel and mother let go

of her gently and leave Angel sitting alone in the bench. Helen takes their spot and takes Angel’s right hand in both of hers.)

Helen (softly): What I did was cruel. I should have never broken up with you the way I did. I will be happy if you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I never hated you. I love you so much, that it hurts to think that it is time for me to go. If you can think of me with kindness, then I know I will be in peace. I love you, Angel; I just want you to remember that. Promise me one thing, to make the most of your life and be happy.

(They both stand. Angel hugs her.)

Angel (quietly): I could never hate you, Helen. I love you with all my heart. I will

never find anyone like you , that I can love the way that I love you.

(He moves to kiss her. Her eyes close and she faints. He catches her and lays her down gently on the bench. He kisses her forehead. Marylee and Helen’s mom start sobbing softly in the background.)

Angel (softly and with sadness; kneeling down beside the bench): Helen, if only I could have saved you. Somehow, someway! Deep down I know that you are in a better place, but that doesn’t mean that I won’t miss you. Go with God, Helen. I promise I will make the most of my life for you. I love you. Goodbye, my beautiful angel.

(A sudden brilliant light engulfs Helen and Angel. There is the sound of voices rushing over each other. A figure seems to appear out of the light. He walks toward the bench where Helen is. He puts out his hand to take Helen’s. Gently, Helen’s spirit starts to stand. They both leave without looking back. The light fades to normal. Marylee and Helen’s mom walk towards Angel. They surround Helen’s body. All three kneel near the bench and Elena starts to pray. Angel and Marylee are sobbing softly. The light slowly dims until it fades completely.)