It was Barry, calling with dirt.
"Let me see. He went on a diet?"
"Me-ow! Nope!"
"Figures. He got published?"
"Guess again."
"This better be good." I wracked my brain. "He got laid for the first time?"
"Cold. Cold. Cold..."
I sighed. "Go ahead. Make my day."
"He has AIDS."
I could hardly breathe when I heard that. "Oh, my God, Barry! Really?"
"He's in the hospital with pneumocystis."
Charley had a cough he couldn't get rid of, went to the doctor's and that's how he found out. At least he wasn't alone. He died at home with me.
Eugene doesn't have anyone. Suddenly, I got very angry.
"Why didn't you tell me that it was something serious? We're playing some stupid game and the man is sick!"
"What's the matter, Hugo? He's an asshole!"
"He is an asshole, but what if the situation was reversed?"
"It's not."
"It could be, Barry. Shame on you. Shame on me."
*****
I called the gay florist down the street and had them send Eugene a bouquet and a teddy bear wearing a little leather jockstrap.On the note, I had them write "Get better soon. Hugo."
*****
After I hung up with the florist, the phone rang again.It was Jenn.
"Something wrong, honey?" I asked.
"Hugo, I got an offer for another job."
"I didn't know you were looking."
"I'm just not making enough at the cafe to make ends meet."
"I know things are slow right now, but when they pick up I can give you a raise..."
"This isn't what this call is about..."
"I know, Jenny. Look, can you give me a day so I can make a counter-offer?"
She hesitated. "Okay," she said. "Thanks."
