10 Days to Forever

Part 4

Chimon hugged Frank for a long time.

After a while, Frank broke free and wiped his own tears.

"Thank you," he said.

"Frank, you know this doesn't change anything between us right?" Chimon said with a serious face.

Frank just nodded.

"No, forget that. This changes everything between us," Chimon declared.

Frank's face was suddenly stricken with unease.

Chimon patted his shoulder. "From now on, this is OUR thing, okay? I'll be with you through everything. I'll go with you when you need to be tested, when you need to get medications, and when you just feel like you need someone to talk to. We will deal with this together, you hear me?"

Frank just stared at Chimon, his eyes beginning to water again. "Thank you," he said.

"Hey, don't cry anymore. What did you expect? That I'll let you go through this on your own? Come on now."

Frank finally smiled.

"Does anyone else know? Your parents?"

Frank shook his head.

"Okay, okay. Just the two of us then. All right." Chimon sighed. "I have a lot of questions right now but I don't want to pressure you too much."

Frank looked around before speaking. "I got diagnosed the day before I broke up with Drake. I'm on antiretroviral therapy now and my doctor said if I take my medications as advised, my viral load will be so low that it will likely be undetectable. If I can maintain it at that level, I will no longer be able to infect my sexual partner. There's still no cure for HIV but if I live a healthy lifestyle and follow my medication regimen religiously, he said I'll be able to live a long, healthy life."

Chimon's face lit up after hearing what Frank said. He held Franks' shoulders, "I'm relieved to hear that. And we will make sure you stay on that path, ok?"

Frank nodded. "And I know you're probably wondering about Drake.. He and I have not had sex yet so I'm sure I haven't infected him. Sure, there were times when we almost did it but somehow we never pushed through. I'm quite thankful that we didn't. I don't know what I would do if I had passed the virus to him. I love him so much, Chi."

"I know, I know."

"I feel so ashamed, Chi. I've always been the one scolding Drake for being so foolish as if I was the better person. And yet here I am now, an HIV positive whore."

Frank's last word was like a slap to Chimon's face.

"Take back what you said, Frank. You are many things but not a whore. Don't ever call yourself that ever again."

"But it's true. Before I fell in love with Drake, I had sex with a random guy after a night of partying. It was just one time. I was so stupid. I can't even remember his name," Frank said looking down.

"No Frank. That doesn't make you a- I can't even say it again. Forget it. Let's focus on what we can do moving forward."

"I'm too scared to tell Drake, Chi. I don't know if I can handle it if he will reject me because of this."

"You know Drake loves you so much, right? I will be severely disappointed in him if he will reject you just because of this but I don't think he will. He's better than that. He should be better than that. But I can't speak for him so.."