“I can’t believe this!”
“I’m so sorry you’re going through this. If your blood work comes back positive, it’s not the end of the world. There are several different types of medication that will mask the symptoms. But we’ll hold off on having that conversation until we get your lab results. For now, practice safe sex and you shouldbe hearing back from our office in a few days. If it will help, I’ll even make the lab work stat, so it won’t take as long as usual.”
“I would love that! Thanks so much for squeezing me into the schedule on such short notice. I just can’t believe that all of this is happening to me.”
“You’re most welcome. Here’s the printout of the rapid results in case you need them for your records. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give our office a call.”
Leaving out of the doctor’s office, I felt a little at ease. I knew that I was going to still be worried until I heard back from them about my lab results.
AVA
Two weeks later
I was excited about today because I was going to look at a townhouse for rent that was on the same block as my sister’s house. Over the past two weeks, I was able to move out the rest of my belongings with the help of not just my sister but Kevin as well. I didn’t have very much stuff to move out, but it was quite a bit. So much so that I was going to have to rent a public storage bin. Kevin was gracious enough to not only help us move, because Lord only knew we definitely needed the manpower, and he allowed for me to store my things in his basement. It was a few furniture pieces, several boxes of clothes, home decor and kitchen appliances.
Hopefully, I would not only like the townhouse that I was going to look at, but I’d be able to sign a lease today as well. As I was getting dressed, I got a phone call from an unknown number. I wasn’t going to answer it at first, but when I took a closer look the number kind of looked familiar.
“Hello,” I answered, hoping it wasn’t a solicitor because I loathed those types of phones calls.
“Hello, my name is Brandon, the head nurse at the trauma center at Advocate Hospital. May I speak with Ava Miller please?”
Holy shit! What the hell was the hospital calling me for? “This is Ava, what is this call pertaining to?”
I instantly got weak because I hoped that it wasn’t about my HIV blood work. My lab results had come in a week ago and I was in the clear. For the hospital to be calling me now, I hoped that they hadn’t made a mistake and that they weren’t calling to tell me that my results were positive and not negative.
“I’m calling you because you are listed in our system as the next of kin for Justin Miller.”
When he said Justin’s name, I was shocked. I hadn’t talked to him since I caught his ass. I had his number on block and left it that way ever since. As far as the divorce was concerned, my lawyer was the one initiating all communication with him, so to hear his name and to know he was in the hospital had me a bit concerned.
“Is everything okay?”
“Well, not quite. He was involved in an accident at his job and has been admitted. We need you to come to the hospital as soon as possible please.”
“What kind of accident? Is he going to be okay?”
“Rather than discuss this over the phone, for the patient’s privacy it would be best if you come into the hospital and we sit face to face.”
“Okay, I’m on my way.”
Hanging up with the hospital, I called out to Dawn.
“Dawn! Dawn! I’ll be right back. Justin’s been in some kind of accident. The hospital just called asking me to come in.”
“What happened?” Dawn asked, speed-walking into the den where I was sitting. “Why they callin’ you? Are you really going to go check for his ass after everything that happened?”
“Not now, Dawn. At the end of the day, he’s still my husband. Our divorce isn’t quite final because he hasn’t signed the papers yet. So yes, to answer your question I’m going to see what’s going on.”
“Hold up, I’ll ride with.”
“As long as you won’t be with the shits, fine. But if not, I think it’s best if you stay here and I’ll call you and keep you posted.”
“Nonsense! I’m coming. You act like I don’t know how to conduct myself.”
“It is questionable.”
“Oh, hush, I’ll be right back. Just let me go get my shoes,” Dawn huffed then took off to go get her stuff.
She was taking longer than my patience could handle. I didn’t realize it was going to take forever for her to go put on some shoes.
