Chapter 5

“All right…well, page Julia if there’s anything.” Francis stared at him a little longer. “Why are you lying with the phone on your chest?”

“Because I’m about to call somebody.” Billy sat up a little. “A guy.”

“Yeah? Like…a real guy?” Francis leaned his shoulder on the door. He’d never actually entered Billy’s bedroom. “Wow. Good for you. Finally.”

Billy picked up the receiver. “I’m gonna call him right now so—”

“Right. Right.” Francis moved back. “Well, looks like you might have quite the weekend.” He took another step back, his cast dragging across the floor boards, but then stopped and gave Billy a worried look. “You’ll—you’ll be careful, right? I mean…you’ll take all the precautionary measures. Remember AIDS.”

“Francis, I’m a gay man. I don’t have to rememberAIDS. Those four letters follow me around like a shadow.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” Francis limped away. “See you Monday. Try to have fun, then.”