Chapter 49

"How do you know?" I asked Jennifer. I don't know what to say. I can't have a child out of wedlock. That would go against my morals and values. She's lying. She's trying to trap me.

"I've known this for a while, Michael. Every time I tried to tell you, you would cut me off. You wouldn't give me the time of day. I'm glad you listened this time. You're the only man I've been with since our relationship started. Although we were just friends with benefits, I stayed loyal to you. That's how I know this baby is yours. No matter how much you want to even try to deny it, I'm not crazy. I may look like it, but I'm not." I took a deep breath to try to process everything she said. This. Is. Not. Happening. First, Dr. Moore hates me. Next Victoria claims I have HIV. Victoria definitely wants a divorce now. And to top it off, I have a child with Jennifer. Could my life get any fucking worse?

"Jennifer," I sighed. Oh, my God. Gabriella was right. Karma would catch up to me. "Excuse me." I went outside to the car and locked myself in. I couldn't break down in front of Jennifer. I don't even break down in front of Victoria. I took several deep breaths to calm myself down. I got the envelope Victoria gave me from the passenger's seat and opened it. In bold letters, it surely said I was HIV positive. I cried. I cried hard. They weren't lying when they said there is a consequence for every behavior. All my fucking around got my marriage down the drain, gave me HIV and now I have a child out of wedlock. Who could I possibly turn to? Absolutely no one. I don't need anyone to know about this. Who could have given HIV to me? 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. I would never know unless all of them took tests. I could ask 4 right now. No...I don't want to stress her out being that she's pregnant and all. I could go to 3 and 1's houses. That could work. What's the use? It's not like it maters who gave it to me anyway. Point is, I have it. It can't change and I have no one to turn to...

Naomi said she would be there. I got my phone out and looked through my recent calls and contact lists. I deleted her number, but it should be in one of these lists. There was only one number that didn't have an ID with a name. That must be Naomi. I pressed call and prayed that she'd answer. Jennifer peeked through the curtains to make sure I was still in the driveway.

"Hello?" Naomi answered.

"Naomi, it's Michael." I said a little bit too quickly.

"Michael," she sighed. "I thought we agreed to delete each other's numbers."

"I deleted your number. Trust me."

"You memorized my number?"

"No, I just... Naomi, can I please just talk to you? Please?"

"That's what your wife is for. I'm not your wife."

"This is about my wife and I really need someone to talk to since she won't even speak to me."

"...okay. What's going on?"

"Victoria kicked me out."

"Why?"

I bit my lip, "supposedly, we're both HIV positive."

Naomi cleared her throat, "you're what?"

"I think we both have HIV." I repeated.

"Excuse me," I heard Naomi say in the background. "When did you find this out?"

"Today after Victoria and I came back from counseling."

"Oh wow..."

"And to make matters worse, one of the girls I was with is pregnant."

"Are you sure you're the father?"

"She said I was the only one she had been with."

"Does Victoria know about this?"

"No."

She sighed, "I don't know what to say."

"I understand." I sighed, wiping my face of any trace of tears.

"Does your Mother know?"

"Oh no! She'd be devastated if she knew."

"Your siblings?"

"No, and they haven't called to ask either." She sighed as though she knew this would happen. "I don't know what to do. My life is over."

"No, it's not, Michael."

"It is. Victoria left me. She's probably going to take the kids away from me and now I have a child by someone I don't even care about."

"Stuff happens like that all the time."

"Very true, but it's not supposed to happen to me."

"Michael, no one thinks they'll ever be that person..."

"Naomi, I just need-"

"Let's meet up."

I made a face, "where?" This is odd. Naomi hated me... Or I thought she did.

"Meet me at the park we went to when you brought your children."

This sounds like a set up, "what time?"

"Eight or nine. Whichever is comfortable for you."

"Um, alright. I'll see you then." Naomi hung up. Why is she being so nice suddenly?