The Rumor Mill

“Have You Heard The Rumor!” That’s what Hungar said as I washed the load of dishes sitting in the sink.

“No, “I replied “what is it?”

“Gil has HIV.” My face dropped as I listened carefully as she went in detail. The details in the event ordered from summary went as far back as the years ago.

“I don’t remember the last time I spoke or even seen Gil.” I chimed in still heart racing in shock. I lied knowing the truth behind the words, but the facts of knowing wasn’t why I was shocked.

“Yeah, me either, “ she said. “The last time I heard of him was before we graduated college. We had many ideas and plans to continue our relationship… but thank God for that. He was always a nice guy. I’m just wondering how’d he get it.”

“I heard he did drugs, and not the recreational one, well at least that’s what Dave said when I ran into him last year.”

“You saw Dave?” she sounded surprised. “He’s such a douchebag.”

“Yeah, one day while I was out shopping with the kids and Billy. I fabricated the story only to keep the conversation going. It had been long ago that I heard Gil and Dave were seeing one another when she and Gil were a couple. I vowed not to say anything and kept quiet to make sure our friendship was about us and not our mistakes. Besides she was doing well.

Hungar was the type of girl who let men get the best of her. She never really had a motive to love, she just knew that if he showered her with enough, then she was dedicated to trusting everything. I never questioned why she wanted to be with such men, or why her preference seemed to always make her less happy than she had been with Kai.

Hungar kept ranting on about Gil and Dave. I kept my composure, as long as I could, but something in me yelled. “They are a couple.” I said it so loud my baby woke up. I quickly ran up the stairs and attended to my crying infant. She soon followed me.

“What do you mean they are a couple?” she inquired with worry written in her voice. I looked onwardly following her eyes as they watered.

“I’m sorry Hungar, but Dave and Gil were dating since freshman year in college. Everyone is surprised you never knew. They shared every girl, including you.” My voice dropped with sorrow as I saw my friend’s face flush with worry and concern. She immediately began to stutter.

“I… I… Why…, why didn’t you tell me?” she reiterated. As she began questioning the existing situation she began to weep.

“What’s wrong.” I asked concerned. She looked befuddled. She hurriedly stood up in awe.

“You set me up.”

“What, why would make you say anything like that?” I questioned looking confused. She scoffed at me and left without another word.

Days turned into weeks, weeks into months. I tried calling her phone but to no avail I never got an answer. One day while I was picking up the kids from school I saw her. I walked to her and began to apologize.

“I’m sorry.” I said with sincerity in my heart

“Sorry for what? Everybody knew, and it was only a matter of time.”

I stood there confused, infused with questionable intentions. “What is she saying?” I thought. I asked her in confidence how she was doing. She looked at me and smiled.

Her smile more seemingly brighter than the months prior. She said “I’m fine, healthy in my mind, and struggling to find strength in my heart. HIV isn’t a death sentence is the value to love.”

I looked at her for a split second and asked was she okay again. She laughed, “as long as there is Kai, I will be.”

My heart smiled as she held onto her son’s hand and walked back to her car. She’s finally happy I said, my work here is done!