“Wait! What you mean you’re leaving? You just got here.”
“Justin, we’re no longer together. I’m not trying to give the wrong impression by being here.”
“Wow! Really, Ava? I just told you that my recovery is going to be hell. I need you to be here. I can’t ask Tate to stay because he has work.”
“So do I!”
“Really? You gon’ kick me like this when I’m already down bad?” Justin asked in a sad voice. He had to be shitting me if he thought I was going to feel sorry for his ass.
“Call Shane! I’m sure he’s biting at the bits to come help you.”
“Wow!” Justin said as if he was shocked.
“Speaking of Shane, where is he?” I asked, being sarcastic.
“See, now you’re just being downright nasty!” Justin spat.
“Nasty as in catching the two of you together nasty?” I sneered. “Speaking of Shane, have you talked to him lately?”
“No, after that day, I haven’t said nothin’ else to his ass. I’m sorry, please, you have to know that I’m sorry.”
“Oh, sorry is not the right word! You’re more like pathetic! You might want to call your boy up. He may have some important information for you.”
I had already told my sister about the whole HIV thing once my blood work came back from the lab negative. She was standing there soaking this all up. Judging from the look on her face, she was enjoying every minute of me and Justin’s back and forth banter.
“What information could he possibly have for me?” Justin asked.
Well, I wasn’t trying to be the bearer of bad news, but aye… as long as I was here!
“He tested positive for HIV, fool! I hope you used protection because if not, you might want to get yourself checked out while you’re here.”
Tate jumped up from the chair he was sitting in with a look of terror on his face.
“You son of a bitch! I trusted you, bro!” Tate shouted, pointing his finger at Justin.
Justin just sat there with his mouth hung open and his eyes bucked.
“I can’t believe this shit! How could you be so careless?” Tate continued to fuss.
“Hold the hell up! Was you fuckin’ this nigga, too?” Dawn shouted, jumping up and down. “I knew it! I knew something was off with Tate’s ass, too! Aww hell nah, Justin, who else’s booty you been diggin’ in?” Dawn asked as she busted out laughing, and Tate ran out of the room.
“Now wait one minute! What the hell are you talking about, Ava? You shouldn’t be here if you just came to get me upset. I’m the patient here, and that’s some bullshit for you to prance up in here talking bullshit.”
“You think so, huh? Hold on right quick,” I responded, pulling my cellphone out of my purse and calling Shane’s number then putting the phone on speaker. The phone rang all of two times before Shane answered.
“Ava,” Shane sang into the phone. “I’m surprised to be hearing from you.”
“Why is that?” I asked.
“When you stormed out of the doctor’s office that day, I didn’t think that I’d ever hear from you again,” Shane said.
“Yeah, well I didn’t think I’d ever be calling you again. I just wanted you to know that I went and got tested,” I informed him.
“Please tell me that you didn’t catch HIV! Oh God, I’m so sorry, Ava!” Shane cried out.
“Oh no, honey!” I responded sarcastically. “My test came back negative, but I was just wondering, did you ever tell Justin about your positive HIV status?” I asked as I stared Justin in the eyes.
“I’ve called him a few times to let him know he should get tested, but he has been avoiding me,” Shane said sadly.
