“Hi, Trent,” the group said in unison, apart from Jake and a slender young woman sitting a few seats over.
“This is a stigma- and judgment-free space where we can share our experiences, both good and bad,” Trent said, making eye contact with everyone while not singling anyone out.“Where we can find connection and friendship through shared experience, learn about new treatments and therapies, find an array of resources and programs, and learn to develop new coping mechanisms.”Trent leaned back in his seat.“Who would like to start today?”
One by one, people shared their experiences with HIV and AIDS.No one looked at Jake expectantly, waiting for him to speak, and he relaxed as each person told their stories.Stories about how they’d contracted HIV or how they were there to support a loved one who was HIV positive.About how the diagnosis had affected their lives, and how they managed their disease and coped with the mental ups and downs.
There was the young man who’d been born with HIV, contracted in the womb by his drug-using mother, which Jake hadn’t known until now was rare.A man who, much like Jake, had never thought it could happen to him, but who, unlike Jake, had lived recklessly.A trans woman who had contracted HIV from her partner.A man and woman who were there in support of their HIV-positive son.
But the person who moved Jake the most was an elderly man with the brightest blue eyes Jake had ever seen.
“Hi, everyone.I’m David,” the man began, his voice strong and clear.“Yesterday was my seventy-third birthday.”
Clapping and happy birthday wishes circled around the room.David stood—a blush streaking across his cheeks and his smile wide—and took a bow.
“I was living it up before AIDS hit, without a care in the world,” David said.“That age of indestructibility known as my twenties.Except my twenties blended into my thirties without me noticing.”
The small crowd chuckled.
“While I’d naively thought AIDS could never touch me, I’d lost too many good friends to the disease.”David paused, his gaze going distant.He shook his head, as though clearing the memories, and continued.“When I turned forty, I realized it was time to grow up and do something with my life, so I started with a full physical.I’ll never forget that day, when my doctor told me I had contracted HIV and to get my affairs in order because I wouldn’t live to see forty-one.”He held his arms out, his smile mischievous.“Clearly, he was mistaken.”
The crowd clapped and whistled.
David spoke a little more about the changes he’d made in his life, and how he’d beaten the odds.He still walked three miles every day, performed in the local theater, and hosted a weekly brunch for those with HIV.
“Thank you, David,” Trent said when David finished.“I know I speak for everyone when I say we’re so grateful you’re with us.”
Jake found he was glad David was there, too.David had beaten the odds at a time when the odds were stacked heavily against him.Hope bloomed in Jake’s chest.
He glanced around the room at the mix of faces that looked different now that he’d heard their stories.Even though those stories and journeys were all diverse and difficult to hear, there was an underlying thread they all shared.They all looked at the good side of life—at least the people here tonight did.They were eager to share and learn new ways to live with the disease.And most of all, they didn’t let HIV dictate their quality of life.
Jake had HIV.But he wasn’t alone.His diagnosis wasn’t the end of his world.There would be life after—a happy and full life, even.The melancholy that had shrouded him like a two-ton weight began to ease.He had work to do.Change was on the horizon.But he was going to be okay.
Conversation moved on from personal stories to the latest research and new local resources, and then everyone rose from their chairs, some stretching backs stiff from sitting, and made their way toward the long table loaded with food.
“So ...?”Blair turned to him, a wrinkle of worry creasing his forehead.“What did you think?”
“I think you were right,” Jake said, fighting an unexpected urge to lean closer and kiss Blair.“Thatwasgood for me.”
Blair’s smile rivaled the sun.And for the first time since Andy had betrayed Jake in the worst imaginable way, that little bloom of hope he’d felt earlier began to spread.
“THANK YOU AGAIN,” Jake said when they exited the community hall and began walking back toward the bus stop while a light rain fell.“That was exactly what I needed.”
“I’m glad,” Blair said, as they stopped at the corner, waiting for the light to change.
Jake shrugged the collar of his jacket up, but didn’t seem to mind the rain, while Blair tugged a toque from his jacket pocket and pulled it on.Jake shoved his hands in his pockets and tipped his head to the sky.Eyes closed and a tilt to his mouth that threatened a smile.Blair selfishly took the moment to study Jake again.So different from the man he’d met mere hours ago.Now Jake stood taller.His shoulders were back and relaxed.The tension from around his eyes all but vanished, and the air surrounding him lighter.
A fully relaxed and at-peace Jake was someone Blair wanted to know more.He wasn’t fooling himself that there wouldn’t be hard times ahead for Jake, but if Jake would let him, Blair would be there for him.
Jake lowered his head and turned a grin on Blair, who smiled back.The light changed and Blair walked silently beside him.He wanted to say so many things, but didn’t know where to start, what exactly to say.
“So,” Jake said as they reached the opposite corner.“About sex.”
An unexpected laugh burst from Blair’s lungs.“What about sex?”
“If two people are HIV positive,” Jake began with a grin.“Then they can have all the sex they want without worry.Right?”
Blair stared at him for a second.Was that a hypothetical two people, or did Jake possibly mean them?Or was that just Blair’s own wishful thinking?
“Not exactly,” Blair said, drawing a frown from Jake.“There are different strains of the virus.Kind of like the flu, and now Covid-19.You can get a vaccine for one strain but still get sick from another.Except with HIV, it’s a superinfection.HIV-SI.And it can increase viral load and disease progression.”
