Jeremy's Story by Ned Ericsson

Author:Ned Ericsson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing
Published: 2016-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

A Nice Evening

ARNOLD STOOD WITH his arms crossed and his head tilted to one side. His lips were pursed in a tight frown.

“I really don’t think this is a good idea at all. We promised you we wouldn’t reveal your HIV status, and now you want to expose yourself to the whole class? The whole school?”

Jeremy was about to answer but was distracted by the sound of little yelps and screeches. He heard fatherly cries of greeting. He knew his dad was going to enter the kitchen at any time and he wanted this conversation finished.

“My dad just arrived. Can we discuss this when my dad isn’t around, please?”

Arnold scrunched his eyebrows; his tight lips formed a much more prominent frown. He lowered his voice. “Fine. But do you really want to indulge that drip of a teacher by writing about your situation in an essay? It’s absurd. It’s downright dangerous.”

Dale entered, and seeing his father’s raised eyebrows, Jeremy frowned. His father had obviously heard Arnold. Also, Jeremy had a feeling Dale wondered who the two new boys were. He was about to introduce them when Jeffrey made it more clear.

“Arnold, Jeremy just wants to get on top of this. His status isn’t known, but his background is, or at least most people will think it is. Maybe the bullying will stop if he just comes out and tells everyone exactly who is he.”

Dale’s eyes looked misty, as if he were about to cry. Jeremy had an inkling his dad was blaming himself. He did the only thing he knew would make his dad feel better—he smiled at him.

His dad had once told him it was his smile that had convinced his dad he would be okay. He had said on several occasions that it showed an inner strength. “If you can smile like that, son, even though you’ve been through hell, I know you can conquer any adversity that comes your way.”

Even though Jeremy wasn’t at all convinced he was doing the right thing, he knew he was strong enough to face this new challenge. He had to survive.

Suddenly, Dale apologized. “Jeremy, I’m sorry. I thought I made it so you wouldn’t have to deal with this kind of thing and yet, only two days in, the bullying has started.”

The bullying started a long time ago, and that was definitely not your fault, Dad.

Jeremy looked at his father. There was so much that Jeremy needed to say. He finally sighed and tried his best to convey his thoughts.

“Dad, the bullying isn’t your fault. It has nothing to do with my HIV status. It has everything to do with a spoiled princess who is jealous because I snagged the boyfriend she wanted and now she’s lashing out.”

Dale looked confused. “Then why are you going to talk about your HIV status publically in an essay?”

“It’s an assignment for Civics class. I can use it to stop the bullying. My reasoning is: If they know that I’m HIV positive, and that

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