Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 7

grapevine, and thought you might—"
    "I don't need anything from you."
    "Just like old times." Ian replied with a laugh.
    "What?" Jonathan responded surprised.
    "You never needed anything. Always a solitary island. So strong. So alone."
    "What are you talking about? That was you, not me."
    "Maybe it was both of us. Maybe that's why we never meshed."
    "Maybe." Jonathan looked at Juan and brushed his cheek.
    "Juan was good for you. You two always needed each other. I think, anyway." Ian looked at Jonathan one more time and left the room.
    "You see, Juan, now we even have Ian's approval. So you can't leave." And Jonathan laid his head back next to Juan's.
    ****
    Matt sat in the chair in Dr. Harbuck's office. He had been waiting for the doctor for almost thirty minutes, but he understood he was busy. So he sat, tapping out a tune on his knee, and waited.
    Dr. Harbuck entered the office in a hurry, sat down quickly and remained silent for a minute or two.
    "Ok, Doc, what's up? I mean, I know that something's wrong. I can feel it. So, just tell me. What is it?"
    "You have Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome."
    "AIDS? I have AIDS? You mean, I have HIV, right?"
    "No, your HIV has progressed to the final stage, meaning you have—"
    "Ok, I get it."
    "When was the last time you saw a doctor?"
    "Five years ago."
    "And have you been sexually active in that time?"
    "Yes."
    "Then the first thing I suggest is that you contact anyone and everyone you've been with, in the last 5 years and tell them to get tested."
    There was a knock at the door.
    "Here's a pad of paper and a pen to get you started. Give me one moment." As Dr. Harbuck got up and answered the door.
    "Yes?"
    "Hey, Dad. Sorry to bother you but with everything going on, I left my wallet in my bag at the church, and I was wondering if I could borrow some money to get Zach and me some lunch." Ryan stood there looking at his father for a moment.
    "Sorry, sure. Sure." Bradley answered. "Give me a second." He walked over to his desk.
    As he did, Matt got up and walked to the door. "Here's a twenty, and uummmm, I have AIDS," He said and shut the door.
    ****
    Ann paced in the room, white dress flowing behind her. She glanced at herself, her red hair, speckled with purple flowers, and she had to admit, she looked beautiful. The worry lines around her eyes however did not help. Not that that would stop them. She picked up her cell phone, and glanced at the screen again.
    It said simply: "He's gone."
    She would have cried, but she didn't know either of them that well. She knew that Zach, on the other hand, was very close to them both. And to have lost either of them, especially in such a meaningless way, he was probably not doing well. The only times she had seen him in the last few days, his cheeks had the well-worn indentations of many tears.
    Everyone had asked him if he wanted to delay the wedding, but he had refused that option. Too many people coming from far away. Rescheduling would inconvenience too many. And besides, there was always something. Right? He tried to joke but was no master actor in hiding his pain.
    ****
    Three hours before the wedding, as he was getting ready to head back to the hospital just to check up one more time, he got the call.
    Congrats, one friend is out of the ICU, Unfortunately the other . . . didn't make it.
    Didn't make it what? Didn't make it to the Super Bowl? Didn't make it across the street? Zach just sat with his head in his lap for a while. And then he got up, loaded the car, and headed to the church to get married. Because he had to. Because he wanted it. He needed some happy right now.
    As he walked down the aisle and saw all his friends there, he allowed himself to cry just a bit. Phillip and Yerza had gone out and bought tons of scarves, and everyone had one on, in remembrance. And Zach thought they all looked ridiculous with their brightly colored scarves, but it was incredibly sweet. Deanna and her new boyfriend, Enver, were sitting in the second row, next to the threesome, Ian, Jean Paul, and Santos, who were giggling, watching Zach cross to his brother, Ryan, and dad, Bradley. They both hugged him tightly. Matt stood awkwardly, now that everyone knew. Ryan reached out to Matt and grabbed his hand and then pulled him into a hug.
    The audience rose as Ann walked down the aisle, glowing as an angel. She seemed to glide along, beautiful and regal, and ready to head into the future. She stopped beside Yerza, who handed her a long