11 of 60

Write now Article Tools

Page 3 of 4

to keep the information to myself. Only, it drove me crazy. It was on my mind all the time. I was jumpy and antsy. I didn't want to look at anyone in case they could tell how dirty I was. So, one day, I just decided to forget it. I didn't think about it and I tried to move on with my life. I pushed the memory deep into the dark recesses of my brain and it stayed there for two years.

Until Angie Lopez from Carter BloodCare called.

After I told them everything about Brett and the party, Mom and Dad didn't look disappointed...angry, yes, but not at me. And, not disappointed. They believed me. That was a relief, for sure. Dad wanted to find Brett, but he had disappeared awhile back. No one really knew where he was.

After that, Mom and Dad put my health on the prayer list. It was real general and everything, so no one really knew what I was sick with. They just knew I was sick. But, then, someone asked Alyssa and, well, she's only twelve, you know? She just answered the question. She wanted her sister to get better, I guess, so she just told them that I had HIV so they could pray for me.

And, that's when it really started.

Cecil brought it up to me and asked me about it. She at least wanted to know the truth from me rather than believing some twisted rumor. She was one of the few. The rest...well, they believe what they want to believe. I don't know who all of them are or what they think happened. All I know is that it's gotten harder and harder to hear the whispers, to see the disapproving, scowling faces. I'm the pastor's daughter and I have HIV. It has certainly fed the minds of gossip-hungry, those who were always searching for someone to talk about.

I don't know what to do about it. I can do very little to rebuild my reputation. Those around me, those that know have attempted to squelch the wild rumors with tastefully-presented truth, but, like I said, they believe what they want to believe. I'm talked about weekly and I often overhear the murmurings of whatever strange story is currently popular. One week, I was apparently prostituting myself to pay for my meth habit. The next, I was a heroin addict who got HIV from a needle. I don't even care about what they say anymore. They've done their worst and I'm stronger for it.

But...still, it hurts. Even though it hasn't killed me...it hurts. I've grown up with these people, I've tried my best to be godly and...I know I've failed at times, but you'd think that they'd give me the benefit of the doubt. The fact that a large

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Short stories: Christian?
We want to hear your view. Write now!