Midtown: Chapter 25

Ash was sitting on the couch when Ki came downstairs. She wanted to apologize for opening her mouth. Ki knew how bad she was at keeping secrets. She must have really needed to talk to even mention making the doctor’s appointment. And now, there was something seriously going on that Ki felt the need to keep a secret. She wanted to know why.

“Ki!” She called her name just as Ki placed her hand on the door knob to leave. Ki had no intentions of discussing this with Ash or anyone else living in this house. How could any of them relate to how she was feeling? They were all still pure and perfect. This shit isn’t fair. I was the most careful. If this was going to be the outcome, I shoulda fucked more, exercised less self control! Ki shouted in her mind.

“What, Ash? I don’t have a muthafuckin thing to say to you right now.” Ki glared at Ash. Ash got up from her seat on the couch and stood between Ki and the front door. She poked Ki in the chest.

“Listen here, whoever gave you bad news and ruined your fuckin day doesn’t live in this fuckin house, so you need to check the got damn attitude at the door. Everybody that lives here is on your side, no matter what.” She gave Ki a shove. “Go sit your skinny ass down on the couch and tell me what has you stomping like a two year old.” When Ki started to hesitate, Ashley spoke again. “I mean now. And no, you don’t have a choice.”

“I’d like to see you stop me.” Ki looked down at Ashley, sizing her up. Ash raised one eyebrow at Ki. Before she could speak, another voice chimed in.

“Maybe she can’t, but I can.” Ed was standing on the bottom stair watching them.

“Ooops…” “Fuuuck!” Ash and Ki both spoke at the same time. Ki grudgingly took a seat on the couch. Ashley sat down next to her, hoping Ed would sit on the other side of Ki. No such luck. Ed sat so close to Ash, she could feel the heat radiating from her body. Ash took a deep breath and inhaled Ed’s scent. She sighed deeply.

“How are yall gonna sit here and make me talk when yall aren’t even talking to each other? Ain’t this some shit…?”

“Some things are more important than what we have going on. Besides, it’s Ash that’s not talking to me. Get it right.” Ash glared at Ed.

“I’m waiting, Ki…”

Ki started fiddling with her hands. “Doc says I have herpes. Ok?”

“Is that all?” Ash said.

“Here I am thinking, it’s something serious,” Ed said.

“I know, right?” Ash and Ed shared a moment. They spent a few seconds smiling too hard at each other.

“Was that so hard to say?”

Ki looked from Ash to Ed in disbelief“It’s easy for you to say that, your not the one that’s infected. Dirty. I’m diseased!” Ki noticed Ash focused on movement on the other side of the room.

“It’s funny how you were telling me less than a week ago, that you loved me and now, I’m not even the one you confide something so personal to? I thought what we had was deeper than that Ki.” Brie said from the bottom of the stairs.

“That’s it. Everyone in this house needs to start wearing a fucking bell or something. Shiiiit!” Ki stood up and walked towards the door. Brie grabbed her arm.

“I’m not done talking. The nurse thought I was you when I answered your phone. I need to tell you exactly what she said. It’s not herpes that you have…”