Exposure by Elizabeth Lister

Author:Elizabeth Lister [Lister, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MLR Press, LLC
Published: 2011-07-17T00:54:51+00:00

Chapter Eight

Fog

When I got home I put some beer in the fridge, then sat down on the sofa and turned on the TV. My brain was spinning and I really needed to mellow out a bit. I was still reeling from the revelation of the previous night.

Why hadn't Jeremy told me about his disease? Sure, we had only been seeing each other a couple of weeks, but he'd called me his boyfriend. I should have known about something so important. We shared so many personal and intimate things it seemed like a purposeful omission.

On the other hand, my present reaction proved that he had a valid concern. He didn't want me to know because he didn't want that knowledge to alter my feelings for him. I didn't want it to. But it would take some adjustment at the very least.

I had a sudden urge to call Frankie. Simon answered the phone.

"Hi Simon, it's Martin. How are you?"

"Hey Martin. I'm good, I'm good. How's the 'hunkilicious' new boyfriend?"

I scratched my head. "Uh, that's kinda what I need to talk to Frankie about."

"Okay, I'll get her."

"Thanks."

It didn't take long for Frankie to get to the phone. "Martin? What's going on?"

"Hi Frankie. Can you meet me for coffee? I really need to talk to you about something." I shoved my free hand in my pocket and fiddled with some loose coins.

"Oh, Martin. He didn't dump you did he? I swear, I'll--"

"No Frankie, it's nothing like that."

"Then, what--"

I walked over to the window and looked out at the overcast sky. "I can't talk about it over the phone."

"At least I know you're not pregnant."

"Very funny. I'm not laughing."

"Sorry. Yeah, I can meet you. Is Jeremy okay?"

"Not really." I turned back into the room. "I'll meet you at the coffee shop on McLaren."

"Okay. Give me twenty minutes."

I walked to the coffee shop, figuring the exercise would do me good and I had twenty minutes anyway. My legs, arms, and abs were sore from my workout, so it helped to get moving.

I got a coffee and sat at a table to wait for Frankie. I glanced at the young women working at the coffee bar and wondered if they knew Jeremy. He didn't work at this location, but maybe they had events and stuff, I don't know. Did his coworkers know he had MS?

Frankie showed up on time. She had a worried look on her face when she caught sight of me. She came right to my table without bothering to get a drink.

"Don't you want a coffee?" I said.

She shook her head as she took off her coat and sat down. "What's going on?"

I hesitated. "Jeremy has Multiple Sclerosis."

She stared at me for a moment. "Okay. He told you he has Multiple Sclerosis?"

"Not exactly. He stayed with me last night. He woke up in the night and he could barely stand." I leaned forward. "Frankie, it was terrifying."

Her face reflected my fear and panic of last night. "Oh, Martin...is he okay?"

I shook my head. "I don't know.

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