Gene's skin was pasty and mottled, the paleness making the gin blossums of his nose redder than usual.
"Ah'm happy that you came--" A rack of coughing shook his body.
I made myself busy looking around the hospital room. There wasn't much to make anybody feel better. It was all white, antiseptic, like a sterile bandage.
He wheezed a little and started, again. "Ah've wanted to talk to you since that debacle at the black and white party--"
"Gene, please. It's in the past. Let's not talk about that."
"It was only a few weeks ago."
"We were young, Gene. Impetuous."
"Young?" He laughed, breaking into another fit of coughing.
"Yes, don't argue with me."
"It only hurts when I laugh." He wiped a hand over his forehead, smoothing the sweat into his hair.
I watched him as he did this and wondered how many more hospital rooms I was going to see until it was my turn.
"Can I speak honestly with you?"
I nodded.
He reached over and weakly took hold of my hand. "Don't take this the wrong way."
"Yes?"
"I know that we've had our problems, Hugo, but I realize how much of it-- no, make that all of it-- didn't mean much. I'm sorry, but...I wanted you to know that. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy."
I squeezed his hand, my eyes locked on him.
"This caught me by surprise even though, god knows, there were several years I wasn't careful. Don't let this happen to you, Hugo. Please."
I nodded again, trying my best to not look afraid.
Eric stopped by the house.
My mind was elsewhere, for obvious reasons, so I only half-heard what he was saying.
"Why would Greg take pictures of your parents naked?" I asked, coming out of my haze.
"Not my parents, Hugs. Andrew. Naked pictures of Andrew."
I cocked an eyebrow like the guy in the "nudge-nudge" Monty Python skits. "Do you have any copies?"
His tone darkened. "You don't see anything wrong with his sleazy old boyfriend taking naked pictures of him?"
"Eric, you sound like Robert Dole. It's art, for crissake. Don't worry about it. I paused, smiling. "But is there any chance they made a video?"
"HUGO!"
