Widow, Virgin, Whore Quotes

“You're still alive. Be thankful for that. You can still walk and talk and think. Yes, you feel like shit most of the time, but it could be worse. So instead of sitting in your room waiting to die, why don't you join in on life until you do die? Dammit! Get off your dead ass and make something of the life you still have left!”
― Deanna Lynn Sletten, Widow, Virgin, Whore

“Darla shook her head, a small smirk on her lips. “You’re such a mom,” she told Katherine.
Katherine stared at her, puzzled. “You’re a mom, too,” she said softly.
“No, I gave birth. That doesn’t make me a mom. Not like you.”
A look passed between the two women like none they had ever shared before. For a split second, Katherine felt a slight connection. “Well, you rest. I’ll check on you later.” She turned and left the room, a funny, unexplainable feeling inside her.”
― Deanna Lynn Sletten, Widow, Virgin, Whore

“Are you afraid of dying?"

"I was at first, maybe I still am a little bit. But it's not death that scares me so much as not being alive anymore. It's missing all the things that I would have seen if I hadn't gotten AIDS. Things like my daughter's graduation, her wedding, my grandchildren. I'll never see those things, and that makes me sad.”
― Deanna Lynn Sletten, Widow, Virgin, Whore

“the stench that greeted her inside instantly took her mind from the locked door. It was an overpowering odor, like a mixture of human waste and rotting garbage. The building reeked with decay. "Comes from broken plumbing and broken souls," the man told her, noticing her reaction to the smell.”
― Deanna Lynn Sletten, Widow, Virgin, Whore

“I'm so lucky I've lived this long. I've known some wonderful people and enjoyed every moment. I've been sick for a long time. I'm ready to rest." Allison closed her eyes and dozed off peacefully, but Darla sat holding her hand for a long time thinking about what she'd said. From deep inside her, her admiration for this quiet woman grew.”
― Deanna Lynn Sletten, Widow, Virgin, Whore

“Allison broke the silence with her wispy voice. "Do you know what the best part of having AIDS is?" Every eye in the room turned to her. "Knowing all of you.”
― Deanna Lynn Sletten, Widow, Virgin, Whore

“The absolute worst part is watching your friends die," Carl spoke up from the sofa where he sat beside Allison. He glanced over at his frail friend, his eyes reflecting deep concern. "I've already watched my partner die.”
― Deanna Lynn Sletten, Widow, Virgin, Whore

“He'd contracted HIV from his former lover, whom he cared for until his death last year. Carl considered his story so typical that no one would really care to read about it. "Everyone blames the gay community for AIDS anyway," he told her bitterly. "They think it's God's revenge for our 'sinful' way of life.”
― Deanna Lynn Sletten, Widow, Virgin, Whore

“I was in a car accident in years ago, before they were careful with blood, and had to have a blood transfusion. The blood was tainted, but I didn't find that out until four years ago when I was diagnosed.”
― Deanna Lynn Sletten, Widow, Virgin, Whore

“They both have AIDS?" "Oh, yes. Actually, he was the one who gave it to her. He wasn't exactly faithful in their marriage. That's why it's so sad. Not only did she get sick first, but she lost her children, too. All because he was so careless.”
― Deanna Lynn Sletten, Widow, Virgin, Whore

“We were all infected in different ways, so that would show the public that AIDS does not discriminate. That's important, because many people still believe that AIDS is a gay disease, or something only prostitutes pass around.”
― Deanna Lynn Sletten, Widow, Virgin, Whore

“Lymphomas are cancers of the lymphatic system and are very common to AIDS patients," Dr. Hanson explained. "What can be done?" Katherine asked as the rest of the group sat silent, struggling with the word cancer.”
― Deanna Lynn Sletten, Widow, Virgin, Whore

“For Pete’s sake, Denise, she has orange hair and wears silver platform shoes.”
― Deanna Lynn Sletten, Widow, Virgin, Whore

“You’ve been the little housewife too long to remember what living is really like.”
― Deanna Lynn Sletten, Widow, Virgin, Whore