Chapter 50
(Victoria)
I knew it. I knew it all along. Michael's strange headaches, fevers, and paleness. Then out of nowhere I get the same symptoms? I knew this would happen. Had he not been screwing around with so many women, I wouldn't have this and neither would he. I'm madder at myself than I am at Michael. Had I not had sex with him on my birthday, I would not be in the same boat as him. I knew he was cheating too! What woman in her right mind has sex with her husband when she knows he's cheating? I'm that crazy woman apparently. I couldn't care less about Joshua right now. I don't want to see him, my mother, or Taylor. And I sure as hell don't want to see Michael. I honestly don't know what to do. All I want is to talk to my dad. He's the first person I could run to in the past, but he's long gone. Thanks, Dad. I have to get the boys. I can't stay in that house, so the boys will have to come with me. I should stay with my mother, but she would be the first person to ask, "who done it and why?" I don't have time to answer stupid questions. What I really need to do is Call Dr. Aicholtz to see if there is a cure for this mess. I headed for the park. The only park I could think of that I actually felt at peace was the one Michael always took me to. Come to think of it, Michael hasn't tried calling me. I expect him to in a weird kind of way. Who am I kidding? Michael doesn't care about this situation he got us in. Maybe... Just maybe this is all a sick joke? Right? The doctors got the results mixed up, but what condition matches the symptoms HIV causes? I parked in front of a lake and got out. I shouldn't have come here. The memories Michael and I have here are strong. I sat in front of the lake expecting a miracle of some sort. But what?
(Michael)
"Hey, Naomi." I got out of the car and went over to her. She greeted me with a hug. This is getting so weird.
"How are you?" She asked me.
"I could be better." I shrugged.
"Victoria kicked you out, huh?"
"Yeah..."
"How did she find out?"
"The results came in the mail."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. You have nothing to be sorry for."
"Do you have any idea who could have given it to you?"
"I have no idea. I've done some stupid things, Naomi."
"You're not the only one. Have you spoken to Kendra lately?"
"No, I haven't. I let her go the same day I deleted your number, why?"
"Remember the day you called and she was in the doctor's office?"
"Yeah..."
"Come to find out all her screwing around got her something."
"She gave me HIV?!" I would have expected 1 or 5.
"I'm not sure what she has or if she gave you HIV, but she did catch something and her future isn't looking too bright."
I nodded. "Is she going to die...?"
Naomi avoided eye contact, "the doctor gave her two months."
My heart dropped at the news, "do you think I'm going to die, Naomi?"
"No." She answered quickly, but honestly.
"You don't know that. If Kendra has-"
"Michael, she's had this for a while. You're a different story."
"HIV is still deadly."
"Yeah, but at least it's curable. Neither you or your wife will die, Michael. Push that thought far from your mind. You shouldn't even think like that. You have children. Death shouldn't even be crossing your mind. What should be on your mind is making sure you really have this by going to the doctor or getting a cure for yourself."
"You're right." I shook my head, "I don't know what I was thinking."
"You were being selfish. Thinking that you're the only one affected by this..."
"I couldn't agree more." I hugged Naomi. She hugged me back. Her tears got my shirt wet. "Why are you crying?"
"I'm not crying. I have allergies."
"What are you allergic to?"
"Stupid statements about death."
"...oh." I managed to say. She let me go and wiped her face. My phone rang. "Excuse me." I answered the phone without looking at my caller again.
"Michael, it's Jennifer." Jennifer answered.
"Oh, what's up?"
"I just wanted to know where you are. That's all." It was on the tip of my tongue to ask her why it mattered where I was. She's not my wife, but she's carrying my child. She has every legal right to know.
"I'm at the park with a friend. I'll be back in about twenty minutes."
"Oh, okay." I heard a smile in her voice.
"What's going on?"
"Nothing... Are you going to your wife later tonight?"
I sighed, heavily, "no. I'm spending the night with you, love. Trust me. I'm not lying this time."
"Oh... Okay... I'll see you when you get here."
"Make sure you leave the front door unlocked for me."
"Alright. Good night." Jennifer quickly hung up.
"Who was that?" Naomi asked.
I sighed, "the mother of my unborn child."