Chapter 48

"Get out? What are you talking about?" I asked. Did Victoria just tell me I had HIV? Yeah, right. That's not even possible.

"Michael, get out." Victoria's voice began to shake.

"You want to explain to me why you're kicking me out of my house?" I felt my heart literally break the second time she told me to get out.

"There's nothing to explain. Read the letter. It's in bold letters. Besides that, I need you out by eight o'clock."

"Are you saying I have HIV?"

"Read the letter! It's pretty fucking clear!"

"You're kidding me, right?" Victoria turned her back to me. "There's no way I have HIV and there's definitely no way you're kicking me out of my house."

"Would you rather be forced out? I can arrange that for you." She pulled her phone out.

"And now you're threatening me? Who are you?! This is not the woman I married. I know that for damn sure!"

"You're right, Michael. I'm not your wife anymore. Sign those divorce papers on your way out." I looked at the divorce papers on the nightstand.

"No. I'm not signing them."

"That's fine. You'll sign them eventually."

"V-"

"Michael, by the time I get back, you better be gone." Victoria took her keys and hurried downstairs. Is she serious? This is ridiculous! How is she kicking me out of my own house? The house I paid for. My name is on it, not hers. You know what? If she wants to have it this way, fine. I know I don't have HIV though. I grabbed the bags Victoria packed for me and took them downstairs. This is outrageous. Me? Out of all people? I have HIV? Yeah, right. I'm not telling Janet about these fake ass results I just got. I'm not telling Jermaine either, even though they both wanted me to tell them when the results came. I took all my bags and threw them in the back seat of the SUV. What will Victoria tell the boys? That I abandoned the family? That I'm having my "me time?" They might fall for that one until they realize Victoria kicked me out. I must get a hold of Camille when I find a place to stay for the time being. I locked the door to the house and got in the car. I don't know where I'm going to end up. I'm sure Victoria doesn't care where I lay my head anyway. As I sped away from the house, my phone rang. I know it's not Victoria. If it's Joshua, I'm beating his ass on sight. If it's Jermaine or Janet, I'm telling them I didn't get the results.

"Hello?" I answered impatiently.

"Hey, Michael." A happy woman replied on the other end.

"Who is this?"

"Jennifer."

"I'm sorry, ma'am. You have the wrong number." I got ready to hang up.

She sighed, "it's 4."

"4? Oh...how are you?"

"Not great. Yourself?"

"Life could be much better...I was just thinking about you." I lied. "Jennifer, do you think I could come over for a little while?" I asked. I hope she says yes.

"Oh, sure. That's kind of what I was calling you for. Come on over."

"Thank you so much. I'll be over in a little bit." I hung up and drove towards Jennifer's house. My intention is to stay with her if she allows me to. I pray she does. Although, I cut her off, it's good that she called.

-

I pulled up in front of Jennifer's house and got out the car. This is a mistake. I can literally feel it... I pressed the doorbell and waited for Jennifer. Why am I so nervous? I feel like I'm being eaten up inside. Victoria kicked me out, I supposedly have HIV, and Victoria wants me to sign divorce papers. This is not my day. Jennifer finally opened the door and welcomed me inside.

"How have you been?" I asked.

"I've been okay." She nodded and shut the door.

"I'm surprised you called after all that happened."

She shrugged, "it's in the past now. I forgive you. Do you forgive me for slapping you?"

I laughed halfheartedly, "yeah."

"That's good." She smiled.

"You seem really happy," I sat down. "Have you met someone new?"

"Sort of..." Her smile started to fade away.

"What's his name?" I asked curiously.

"Don't know." She bit her lip.

"Ahh, dating a guy and you don't know his name... That's not fun."

"Um, we're not dating."

"Oh, just buddies, huh? Like, friends with benefits?" Jealousy was beginning to rise inside me a little bit, but I tried not to let it show.

"Far from it." Jennifer sat beside me, twirling her thumbs.

"What's wrong?"

"Michael, I called you for a specific reason. A reason I've been wanting to tell you for a while now." She made eye contact with me

"And that is...?" I searched her eyes for answers.

She took several deep breaths and looked back at me, "I'm pregnant."