…
First the casual touches, then the awkward glances, and then something that should never have happened.
“This is a mistake,” she said in the morning.
“It should never happen again.
” But it did.
Once again, again.
again.
Each time promising herself it would be the last time and each time breaking that promise.
Hey Germaine, are you even listening? The voice of Kashon Marorrow, his best friend, snapped him out of his revery.
Minus A? Yeah, sure.
Germaine lied.
You’re lying.
What’s been going on with you lately? Kon, a skinny guy with thick rimmed glasses, was the only one who noticed the change in his friend.
I’m fine, just tired.
Whatever you say.
Kashan shook his head.
But if anything, you know, you can tell me.
After school, Germaine didn’t go to practice as promised to his father.
Instead, he went to the clinic, determined not to delay getting the results of his tests.
Lately, he’d been feeling tired all the time, and his temperature had been rising periodically.
He put it down to intensive training, but his inner voice told him that it was something else.
The waiting room smelled of antiseptic and fear.
Germaine fidgeted nervously with his fingers, waiting to be called.
Germaine Braithweight, came the voice of a nurse.
Dr. Patterson is waiting for you in room three.
Dr. Patterson, an older woman with gray hair and kind eyes, greeted him with a discreet smile.
“Have a seat, Germaine,” she said, pointing to a chair.
“I have your test results.
” Something in her tone made him inwardly tense.
“Was there something wrong?” he asked, trying to sound calm.
Dr. Patterson folded her hands on the table.
Germaine, you have human immuno deficiency virus in your blood.
DHIV.
The world around Germaine seemed to stop.
The doctor’s words echoed in his head, but their meaning did not reach his consciousness.
It’s It’s impossible, he finally squeezed out.
There must be a mistake.
We ran the test twice, Dr. Patterson said softly.
The result is positive, but it’s not a death sentence.
Germaine, modern therapies allow you to live a full life.
We’ll begin therapy immediately.
Germaine heard her words, but couldn’t grasp their meaning.
HIV? How could that happen? And then it hit him.
Chenise.
She was his only sexual partner.
Yeah, I have to go, he said, standing up.
Germaine, we need to discuss the treatment and later, he interrupted.
I’ll come later.
He ran out of the clinic panting with a rush of emotion.
Chenise.
Had she known? Had she deliberately infected him? Or was she herself unaware of her own diagnosis? Without realizing where he was going, Germaine found himself in a park on the other side of town.
He sat down on a bench and pulled out his cell phone.
His fingers trembled as he dialed Kashon’s number.
“I need to talk to you,” he said when his friend answered.
Now, 20 minutes later, Kashon found him still on the same bench, staring blankly into space.
“What’s wrong?” Kashon asked, sitting down next to him.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.
” Germaine took a deep breath.
“Uh, I got the test results back,” he began.
“I’m HIV positive.
” Kashon stared at his friend wideeyed.
“What? How is that possible? You didn’t.
I slept with Chenise,” Germaine blurted out.
Now it was Kashan’s turn to be speechless.
“You what? With your stepmother? Are you serious?” Germaine nodded, unable to say it out loud again.
“It started 3 months ago,” he continued after a pause.
“It just happened.
And now, now I think she’s infected me.
” “Jesus, Germaine.
” Kashan shook his head.
“You have to talk to her.
Find out if she knew.
And if she did, what then?” Then Kashan stopped talking, not knowing what to say.
Then you’ll have to decide what to do next.
But talk to her first.
At the same time, Chenise was finishing her shift at the Bluebird Cafe.
Her mind was on Germaine and his test results.
She had known about her diagnosis for 3 years, but preferred to keep it a secret from everyone, including her husband.
She got her medication from a clinic in a neighboring town where she went once a month under the pretext of seeing a friend.
When her affair with Germaine began, she didn’t think about the consequences.
It had been a moment of weakness that had turned into something more.
And now she was afraid the truth would come out.
Chenise, you’re not yourself today, said Burda, the owner of the cafe.
Is something wrong? No, nothing’s wrong.
Chenise lied.
just tired.
When she got home, she found Lavel in the kitchen.
He rarely came home so early.
“Did something happen?” she asked, trying to hide her nervousness.
“Bobby let me off early.
Not much work,” Lavel answered.
“Where’s Germaine? Didn’t he have practice yet?” “I don’t know,” Chenise said.
“Maybe he’s out of friends.
” Lavell looked at his wife carefully.
“Chenise, what’s going on? You’ve both been acting strange lately.
Are you hiding something from me? What are you talking about? Chenise tried to smile, but the smile came out strained.
It’s okay.
Don’t lie to me.
Lavell’s voice became harder.
I wasn’t born yesterday.
Something is going on between you two, and I want to know what it is.
You’re paranoid.
Chenise snapped back.
There’s nothing going on.
Maybe you’re just jealous that I take the time to talk to your son, unlike you.
Lavell clenched his fists, but held back.
I don’t want to fight Chenise, but I sense that you are hiding something.
At that moment, the front door opened and Germaine entered the house.
Seeing his father and stepmother in the kitchen, he froze.
“Where have you been?” Lavell asked.
“Why weren’t you at practice?” “Ua, I had to think,” Germaine answered, avoiding looking at Chenise.
“I’ll make my way to my room.
” “Dinner’s in an hour,” Chenise said, trying to sound normal.
Germaine nodded and quickly walked up the stairs to his room.
Closing the door, he sat on his bed and wrapped his arms around his head.
The conversation with Chenise was inevitable and it had to take place tonight.
At dinner, the atmosphere was so tense that it seemed the air could be cut with a knife.
Lavell ate in silence, occasionally casting glances back and forth at his wife and son.
Chenise tried to maintain a semblance of normality by recounting the events at the cafe.
Germaine barely touched his food.
“I’m going to go to my room,” he said, pushing his plate away.
“I need to study for the test tomorrow.
You’ve hardly eaten anything,” Lavell remarked.
“Not hungry.
” When Germaine left, Lavell turned to Chenise.
“See, something’s wrong, and I intend to find out what it is.
” After dinner, Lavell settled down in the living room in front of the television while Chenise busied herself with cleaning up the kitchen.
Germaine, sitting in his room, could hear the sounds of the television and knew his father wouldn’t be going to bed anytime soon.
But the conversation with Chenise couldn’t wait.
He quietly descended the stairs and slipped into the kitchen.
Chenise was standing at the sink, her back to him.
“We need to talk,” he said quietly, but firmly.
Chenise flinched and turned around.
When she saw the look on her stepson’s face, she knew he knew.
Not here, she whispered.
Your father will hear.
Then where? Chenise thought for a moment.
Tomorrow I’ll say I’m going to a friend’s house.
Meet me at the lake at 4:00.
Germaine wanted to object to say that it couldn’t wait, but he realized that the conversation would be difficult and it would be better to hold it where they wouldn’t be heard.
All right, he finally agreed.
Tomorrow at 4 by the lake.
But this conversation will happen, Chenise, and you will have to answer all my questions.
With these words, he went back to his room, leaving Chenise standing in the kitchen, clutching a kitchen towel and trying to hold back the trembling in her hands.
The morning was overcast.
Gray clouds hung over Lebanon as if foreshadowing an inevitable storm.
Germaine stayed up all night replaying the conversation with his stepmother.
Anger, resentment, fear, and despair.
All these feelings mixed in him, forming a heavy lump in his chest.
At breakfast, Lavell noticed his son’s palar and inflamed eyes.
“Are you sick?” he asked, frowning.
“No, I just didn’t sleep well,” Germaine replied, not looking at his father.
Chenise pretended to be absorbed in preparing dinner for Lavell.
But Germaine could feel her tension.
It radiated from her in waves.
“Don’t forget the medical results,” Lavell reminded him.
Germaine and Chenise froze at the same time without speaking.
Yeah, I already took them, Germaine said, trying to keep his voice steady.
Minus I? Lavell raised an eyebrow.
Everything all right? Yeah, Germaine lied.
Everything’s fine.
Chenise exhaled so quietly that no one heard.
Her shoulders relaxed a little.
The day stretched agonizingly slow.
At school, Germaine couldn’t concentrate on any subject.
Kashan tried to talk to him several times, but only got one-word answers.
“Did you talk to her?” Kashon finally asked at lunchtime, making sure no one could hear them.
“Today,” Germaine answered grimly.
“4:00 by the lake.
” “Would you like me to go with you?” suggested a friend.
“I’ll be nearby just in case.
” Germaine wanted to say no, but then he thought he could use the support.
“Okay,” he agreed.
“But stay out of it.
This has to be a conversation between us.
At 4:00 sharp, Germaine arrived at the lake.
It was on the outskirts of the city in a small forest park where few people went on weekdays.
Chenise was already waiting for him, sitting on a bench by the water.
Her dark skin contrasted with the bright red dress she wore for some reason for this meeting.
When she saw her stepson, she tensed but tried to smile.
“Hi,” she said, trying to sound casual.
You wanted to talk? Germaine stopped a few feet away from her, arms crossed over his chest.
I have HIV, he said without preamble.
And you’re the only person I could have gotten it from.
Chenise turned pale but quickly pulled herself together.
What nonsense? She was indignant.
How can you say that? Maybe you had other I haven’t.
Germaine interrupted her.
You know that very well.
You’re my first and only.
Chenise stood up, her hands trembling.
Germaine, look, I don’t know what you’re talking about.
I’m healthy.
I don’t have any.
Stop lying, he almost shouted.
I got the results yesterday.
Dr. Patterson said they double checked.
I have HIV and I know you’re the source.
Kon, hiding behind the trees 50 paces away from them, strained to hear the conversation.
He couldn’t make out all the words, but he could see the situation escalating.
Chenise looked around in desperation as if searching for a way to escape.
But then her shoulders slumped.
I didn’t mean for this to happen, she whispered.
It was a mistake.
This whole thing is a huge mistake.
So you knew? Germaine took a step toward her.
Did you know about your diagnosis? Chenise looked away.
Yes.
For 3 years now.
Germaine felt something inside him snap.
It was one thing to suspect and quite another to hear a confession.
Did you deliberately infect me? His voice trembled with restrained rage.
No, Chenise exclaimed.
I swear I didn’t mean it.
It was just we got carried away and I I forgot to take precautions.
You forgot? Germaine couldn’t believe his ears.
You forgot you have a deadly virus? It’s not deadly.
Chenise corrected him.
There are drugs now, therapies.
People have been living with it for decades.
And you think that excuses you? Germaine felt himself shaking.
You ruined my life, my basketball career, my chances at a scholarship, a normal life.
Don’t be dramatic.
Chenise tried to take his hand, but he recoiled.
You’ll take your medication and you’ll be fine.
No one will know.
No one will know.
Germaine laughed bitterly.
What about your father? He has a right to know that his wife is sleeping with his son and has infected him with HIV.
Chenise turned even paler.
You wouldn’t dare tell him? Yes, I would.
Then you will ruin not only my life, but his as well.
Chenise suddenly turned rigid.
Think what will happen to him when he finds out that his son slept with his wife, that his own son betrayed him in this way.
Don’t try to shift the blame.
Germaine snapped back.
You’re older.
You’re responsible.
Oh, I’m sure the court won’t see it that way.
Chenise smiled, but her smile was cold.
A healthy 17-year-old guy, a basketball star, seduced a 40 to 49year-old woman.
Who do you think they’re going to believe? You uh are you blackmailing me? I’m protecting both of us.
Chenise took a step toward him.
Look, Germaine, what we had between us was a mistake.
We both know that, but telling Lavel would only make it worse.
He’ll lose his wife and his son.
Is that what you want? Germaine felt his anger give way to despair.
What about me? How do I go on? The same way you did before, Chenise put her hand on his shoulder.
You’ll take your meds, play basketball, go to college.
No one will know anything.
And our relationship, it’s gone, Chenise said firmly.
What we had was a mistake we won’t make again.
Germaine turned away, looking at the dark water of the lake.
I have to think about it.
Don’t do anything stupid, Chenise warned him.
If you tell your father or anyone else, I’ll destroy your reputation.
No college, no career, everyone will know you slept with your stepmother.
With those words, she turned and walked away, leaving Germaine standing by the water, feeling as if the ground was slipping from under his feet.
When Chenise was out of sight, Keshan approached Germaine.
“I didn’t hear everything but enough,” he said, putting a hand on his friend’s shoulder.
“Did she threaten you?” “Yes.
” Germaine sighed heavily.
She knew about her diagnosis, Kashon.
She knew and still.
That’s a crime, Kashon said.
You could have reported her to the police.
What would I say? That I slept with my stepmother? Germaine grinned bitterly.
No, she’s right.
It would ruin my father’s life.
I can’t do that to him.
What are you going to do? I don’t know, Germaine admitted.
Honestly, I just don’t know.
When Chenise returned home, she found Lavel already there.
He was sitting on the living room couch with an uncharacteristically pensive expression on his face.
“You’re early,” she remarked, trying to sound casual.
“Yeah, I didn’t have work,” he replied, looking at her carefully.
“Where have you been?” “At a friends, I told you.
” Chenise tried not to show her excitement.
“And how are you? Are you okay?” “I don’t know.
” Lavell got up from the couch.
You tell me.
Are you all right, Chenise? Something in his tone made her wary.
What is it? You and Germaine? He paused.
Something is going on between you two, and I want to know what it is.
Chenise felt her heart start to beat faster, but outwardly she remained calm.
I don’t know what you’re talking about.
She tried to smile.
It’s business as usual between us.
Don’t lie to me.
Lavell stepped closer.
I’m not blind.
You’ve both been acting strange for months now, avoiding each other, and yet you’re constantly exchanging glances.
What’s going on, Chenise? Nothing, she exclaimed.
Germaine’s going through puberty and he’s acting weird around everyone, and I’m just tired of your constant suspicions.
She knew that the best defense is offense and decided to turn the tables.
Speaking of suspicions, she continued, “You’re so distrustful of me.
Maybe because you’re hiding something.
Is there a reason why you’re so often late for work? Lavel backed away, clearly not expecting this turn of events.
Don’t change the subject, he muttered.
I sense something is wrong, and I’m going to find out what it is.
Chenise realized she had to change tactics.
She walked over to her husband and put her arms around him.
“Lavell, honey, I’m sorry,” she said softly.
“I didn’t mean to fight.
It’s just that there’s been so much stress at work lately and I’ve been taking it out on you.
It’s not right.
She felt him relax a little.
Let’s have a romantic evening, she suggested.
Just you and me.
I’ll cook your favorite dish.
We’ll open some wine.
Just like old times.
Lavell hesitated, but then nodded.
Good, he agreed.
But this conversation is not over, Chenise.
Of course it is, dear.
She smiled.
We’ll talk about everything that’s troubling you, but later.
In the meantime, Germaine was sitting in the office of the school psychologist, Mrs.
Caldwell.
He hadn’t intended to come here, but his feet had led him to her door after his conversation with Chenise.
Germaine.
Mrs.
Caldwell, a full-bodied African-American woman in her 50s with kind eyes and an attentive gaze, greeted him with a smile.
What can I do for you? Yeah.
he stammered, not knowing where to begin.
I have a problem.
Have a seat.
She pointed to the chair across from him.
And tell me what’s bothering you.
Germaine sat down, nervously, tugging at the edge of his t-shirt.
If I tell, you won’t tell anyone.
Everything you say here stays between us.
Mrs.
Caldwell assured him.
Unless your life or the lives of others are in danger.
Germaine took a deep breath.
Yeah, I found out I have HIV.
Mrs.
Caldwell froze for a moment, but quickly pulled herself together.
I understand, she said calmly.
When did you find out? Yesterday.
I took a test for an athletic scholarship, and he couldn’t finish the sentence.
It’s hard news, the psychologist said gently.
But you can live a full life now with this diagnosis.
Have you already seen a doctor to prescribe therapy? Yes, but Germaine hesitated.
It’s not just that.
I know who gave it to me and that bothers you.
That man knew about his diagnosis.
Germaine felt a lump come up in his throat.
He knew and yet he still still didn’t warn me.
Mrs.
Caldwell frowned.
This is serious, Germaine.
If a person knowingly put you at risk of infection by knowing your HIV status, that’s a crime.
I know, he lowered his head.
But I can’t report this man.
It would ruin too many lives, including yours.
The psychologist remarked, “Gerine, I’m not going to force you to do anything, but I want you to know that what happened was not your fault, and you have the right to protect yourself and others.
” Others? Germaine looked up.
If this man knowingly put you at risk, who’s to say he wouldn’t do it to someone else? The thought hadn’t crossed his mind.
What if Chenise infected his father or someone else? Yeah, I’ll have to think about it,” he said at last.
“Of course,” Mrs.
Caldwell nodded.
“But remember, you’re not alone, and whatever you decide, I will support you.
” When Germaine returned home, he found Chenise preparing a celebratory dinner.
The smell of spices and roasted meat filled the house.
“What’s going on?” he asked, meeting his father in the living room.
“Chenice decided to have a romantic evening,” Lavell replied, looking a little embarrassed.
said she wanted to make amends for being irritable lately.
Germaine felt a pang of jealousy and was immediately ashamed of it.
“I see,” he said.
“I guess I’ll have dinner at my place then.
” “No, no.
” Chenise looked out of the kitchen.
“I’ve made some for you.
Just take it up to your room.
Okay.
” Her smile was too wide, too fake.
Germaine nodded and went upstairs.
An hour later, Chenise brought him a plate of dinner.
“Lavell’s in the shower,” she said quietly.
Look, Germaine, we need to stick together for his sake.
I’ve been thinking about it, Germaine replied.
And I won’t tell him.
Not yet.
Thank you, Chenise exhaled with relief.
You made the right decision.
But I want you to know, he continued, looking her straight in the eye.
I’m not doing this for you.
I’m doing this for my father.
And if I find out you’re putting him or anyone else at risk, I’ll tell you everything.
Chenise tensed, but nodded.
I understand, she said.
Don’t worry.
I’m taking care of your father.
When she left, Germaine looked at the plate of food, but there was no appetite.
He set it aside and lay back on the bed, looking up at the ceiling.
How could things have gotten so messed up? At that time, Lavell, stepping out of the shower, accidentally hit the bathroom shelf, and Chenise’s small cosmetic bag fell out of there.
It opened, and the contents spilled out onto the floor.
lipstick, powder, and a vial of pills.
Lavel picked it up and read the name.
It was a cure for HIV.
He froze, unable to believe his eyes.
Chenise had never told him about her diagnosis.
Why had she kept it from him? And how long had she known? With the vial in his hand, he walked out of the bathroom and down to the living room where Chenise was already waiting for him with a glass of wine.
“What’s this?” he asked, showing the vial.
Chenise turned pale and dropped the glass.
The red wine spilled over the white tablecloth like blood.
Lavel, I she stammered.
I can explain and I hope so.
He sat down across from her.
Because I’m really wondering why my wife is hiding from me that she has HIV.
Chenise licked her lips nervously.
I was afraid you would leave, she said quietly.
That you wouldn’t want to be with me if you found out.
How long have you known? 3 years, she admitted.
I found out a year before we were married and all that time you’ve been lying to me.
Lavell shook his head, putting me at risk.
No, Chenise exclaimed.
I’ve always been careful and I’m on medication.
My virus has been undetectable in my blood for 2 years.
I couldn’t have infected you.
Lavell looked at her for a long moment.
I don’t know if I can believe you, Chenise.
Not after a lie like that.
Please.
She took his hand.
I love you.
I was just afraid of losing you.
Lavell released his hand.
I need to think about it, he said.
This is too serious to decide now.
Dinner passed in tense silence.
Chenise tried to make conversation, but Lavell answered in one word.
Germaine, who had come down toward the end of dinner, sensed that something had happened, but couldn’t figure out what it was.
“Was something wrong?” he asked, looking from his father to his stepmother.
No, they answered at the same time too quickly.
Germaine didn’t believe it, but he decided not to insist.
He had enough problems as it was.
After dinner, Lavel retired to his bedroom, saying he was tired.
Chenise was left alone in the kitchen, putting away the dishes.
Her hands were shaking.
Everything was falling apart.
First, Germaine had found out about her diagnosis in their affair.
Now, Lavell had found her medication.
She felt the walls shrinking around her.
Finished with cleaning up, she grabbed her jacket and left the house.
She needed to think, and the best place to think was by the lake.
It was quiet, peaceful, just water and stars.
Chenise walked down the dark street, not noticing someone’s shadow following her.
The morning fog drifted over the lake as Moren Johnson went out for her usual jog.
The 60-year-old woman started every morning with a 2- km route around the body of water.
She was running along the water’s edge when she noticed something unusual near the reeds.
A dark silhouette too large for a fallen branch.
As she got closer, Meen saw a woman’s body half submerged in the water.
Dark skin, a red dress soaked with water and blood, long braids strewn across the surface.
Meen’s scream cut through the morning silence.
With trembling hands, she pulled out her cell phone and dialed the emergency number.
20 minutes later, the quiet Lakeshore was a crime scene.
Police cars with blinkers, yellow fence tape, uniformed officers, and forensic scientists in white jumpsuits.
Detective Latoya Harbison was one of the last to arrive.
A dark-skinned woman of 37 with short dreadlocks pulled back into a tight bundle and penetrating brown eyes, she had a reputation as one of the best homicide detectives in the department.
What do we got? She asked the officer guarding the perimeter.
Female African-Amean, looks to be in her 50s, found at approximately 6:30 am by a local resident.
Mees already examining the body.
Latoya walked over to where Dr. Ramirez, the medical examiner, was leaning over the body.
Good morning, doctor.
What can you tell me? Dr. Ramirez straightened up.
Detective Harbison, female, approximately 45 to 50 years old.
Multiple stab wounds to the chest and neck.
Preliminary cause of death is blood loss.
Time of death between 1000 pm and midnight.
Any guesses as to the identity? A wallet was found in her purse with a driver’s license in the name of Chenise Braithweight, 49 years old, residing at 23 Claremont Street.
Latoya frowned.
Looks like a murder in the heat of passion.
Multiple stabbings usually indicated strong emotions.
Anything else unusual? Yeah.
Dr. Ramirez pointed to the victim’s hands.
Signs of a struggle, broken nails.
She fought back.
And uh there’s also an oversized bootprint here.
Probably the killers.
Latoya nodded and began to look around.
The lake was in a relatively deserted area, especially in the evening.
The perfect place for a murder.
Who had discovered the body first? She asked one of the officers.
Moren Johnson, a local resident.
She’s over there.
The officer pointed to an elderly woman sitting on a bench in the distance.
Latoya approached the witness.
Mrs.
Johnson, Detective Latoya Harbison, can you tell us what you saw? Moren, still pale with shock, nodded.
I run around the lake every morning.
Today, as usual, I went out at 6:00 in the morning.
As I was running along the east shore, I saw something in the water near the reeds.
At first, I thought it was trash or a branch.
But when I got closer, she shuddered, it was horrible.
Finished with her debriefing, Latoya went back to the body.
Forensics was already collecting evidence, soil samples, fibers from clothing, photographs.
Detective, one of the techs called out to her.
We found this in the bushes 10 m from here.
He showed her a bag of evidence, a kitchen knife with a wooden handle stained with blood.
Looks like the murder weapon, Latoya observed.
check for prints and DNA.
The next step was to notify the victim’s family.
At the address on the driver’s license, Latoya and her partner, Detective Marcus Green, arrived around 9:00 in the morning.
The Braithweight house was a modest one-story structure with a small garden.
Latoya pressed the doorbell and within seconds, the door was opened by a middle-aged man.
Lavell Braithweight, I’m Detective Harbison.
This is Detective Green.
We’re with the Lebanon Police Department.
May I come in? Lavell frowned but stepped back, letting them pass.
What’s going on? He asked.
I’m afraid we have some bad news.
It concerns your wife, Chenise.
Her body was discovered this morning at Lake Lebanon.
I’m very sorry, but your wife is dead.
According to preliminary reports, it’s a homicide.
Lavell swayed and slumped in his chair.
His face turned ash gray.
It can’t be, he whispered.
I saw her last night.
She said she was going for a walk.
At that moment, a teenager appeared in the hallway.
Tall, athletic, with a look of alarm on his face.
“Dad, what’s going on?” he asked.
“Jermaine,” Lavell looked up at his son.
“It’s It’s Chenise.
She Your stepmother was found dead this morning,” Latoya said softly.
“I’m so sorry.
” Germaine froze, his eyes widening with shock.
When was the last time you saw Chenise? Latoya asked Lavel.
Last night around 9:00.
We we had a conversation.
Then she said she wanted to take a walk, get some air.
What was the conversation about? Lavell cast a quick glance at his son.
Personal, he said dryly.
Family matters.
Latoya noticed the look and the tension between father and son.
What about you, Germaine? When was the last time you saw your stepmother? Last night, too, at dinner, he said quietly.
Then I went to my room to do my homework.
Something in his tone seemed insincere to Latoya.
While Detective Green continued his questioning, Latoya began a tour of Chenise and Lavel’s bedroom.
In a small cosmetic bag at the bottom of a drawer, she found a vial of pills.
HIV medication.
Interesting.
Back in the living room, Latoya saw that Germaine had left and Lavell was sitting on the couch with a blank stare.
Minus Mr. Braithweight.
Did you know your wife had HIV? Lavell looked up at her.
Yes, I found out yesterday.
I found her medication by accident.
And how did you react? I was shocked.
We’d been married 8 years and she kept it from me.
We had a fight.
Is that what you talked about before she left? Yeah.
I told her I needed to think about it.
that I didn’t know if I could trust her after lying to her like that.
The next step was a visit to Germaine’s school.
School officials told Latoya that Germaine’s best friend was Kashon Marorrow.
Latoya found him in the library.
Kashon Marorrow.
I’m Detective Harbison.
Can we talk? Kon nervously adjusted his glasses.
I’m investigating the death of Chenise Braithweight, your friend Germaine’s stepmother.
I’m told you two are close.
Kashan went pale.
Chenise dead.
When was the last time you saw Germaine? Yesterday after school, we went for a little walk, then we split up.
Where exactly did you walk? Kashan was visibly nervous.
Uh, in the park and by the lake.
Latoya was alert.
The lake? The one where Chenise’s body was found? Yes, but we were there in the afternoon about 4:00.
And what were you doing there? Just uh talking about school, basketball, the usual stuff.
Kashan, I can tell there’s something you’re not telling me.
This is a murder, a serious case.
If you know something that can help the investigation, you should tell me.
Keshan bit his lip, clearly struggling with himself.
I promised Germaine, he began, but he stopped talking.
What was going on between Germaine and his stepmother? Latoya asked bluntly.
Kashon took a deep breath.
They they were having an affair started a few months ago.
Germaine told me last week when he found out he’d contracted HIV from her.
Latoya felt the pieces of the puzzle starting to fit together.
Germaine confronted her at the lake yesterday.
Kashon continued, accused her of knowing about her diagnosis and having an affair with him anyway.
She confessed, but then started threatening that if he told her father, she would destroy his reputation.
Back at the station, Latoya found that the autopsy results were in.
Dr. Ramirez confirmed the cause of death as multiple stab wounds.
And another important fact, the victim was HIV positive.
Also, the results came back on the knife that was found.
It had partial prints that could belong to Lavel Braithweight and traces of blood, both Chenise’s and Lavell’s.
With this new information, Latoya decided to get a search warrant for the Braithweight home.
A judge signed it the same day.
In a container in the garage were clothes, a shirt and jeans with stains that looked like blood.
“Whose clothes are these?” Latoya asked Lavel.
Lavell froze, staring at the find.
“Mine,” he finally said.
“Minus Mr. Braithweight.
I’m going to have to ask you to come with us to the station for a statement.
” “In the interview room,” Lavell sat across from Detective Harbison, hunched over and staring at one point.
“Minus Mr. Braithweight, we have solid evidence against you.
A knife with your prince on it, bloody clothes hidden in your garage, and motive.
You found out about your wife’s HIV status.
That she kept it from you for years.
Lavell was silent.
But I think it’s more than that.
You found out something else, didn’t you? About Chenise’s affair with your son.
Lavell flinched and raised his eyes to the detective.
Where did you We spoke to Kosan Morrow.
He told us about the affair and how Chenise had deliberately exposed Germaine to HIV, knowing her status.
Lavell covered his face with his hands.
I didn’t want Germaine to know.
I didn’t want him to feel guilty.
Tell me what happened, Latoya asked softly.
I accidentally found her medication yesterday.
At first, I was just shocked that she was hiding her diagnosis.
But then when she went for a walk, I decided to check her phone and I found messages between her and Germaine.
He fell silent, trying to deal with his emotions.
They were explicit.
I realized there was something between them.
Then I saw more messages where Germaine was texting her about his diagnosis, accusing her of being infected.
She was responding so coldly, threatening him.
And you went to the lake? Yeah, I knew she was there.
I wanted to talk to her, find out the truth.
But when she confirmed everything, when she said she knew her status and still with my son, I just lost control.
Grabbed the knife I carried for protection and he couldn’t finish.
You stabbed her multiple times in a fit of rage.
I don’t remember how it happened.
I just remember her eyes full of fear and blood.
A lot of blood.
And then then I came to my senses.
realized what I’d done.
I dropped the knife and ran home, stashed my clothes in the garage, took a shower, and went to bed.
Minus Mr. Braithweight, do you realize you’ve confessed to murder? Yes, he answered quietly.
I deserve to be punished.
But please don’t tell Germaine that I knew about them.
Let him think I only killed her because of HIV.
It’s hard enough for him as it is.
An hour later, Germaine was sitting across from his father in the visiting room.
There was glass between them and they were talking on their phones.
Dad.
Germaine’s voice shook.
Tell me it’s not true.
Say you didn’t kill her.
Lavell looked at his son with eyes full of pain.
I can’t say that, son.
I did it and I have to live with that for the rest of my life.
But why? Because of her HIV status? It wasn’t worth her life.
Lavell was silent as if gathering his thoughts.
I knew everything, Germaine, about you two, about her infecting you, knowing about her diagnosis.
Germaine turned pale.
You uh knew? Found your messages on her phone.
When I realized what she’d done to you, I lost my mind.
I couldn’t bear to see her hurt you like that.
Germaine started crying.
I didn’t mean for this to happen.
I should have stopped it sooner.
It wasn’t your fault, Lavell said firmly.
You were a child and she was an adult.
She was responsible.
What’s going to happen now? Germaine asked through his tears.
I’ll go to trial.
Probably get a long sentence, but I’ll make sure you’re okay.
Aunt Marva will look after you.
What about my uh diagnosis? Tact Patterson said with the right treatment.
You can live a normal life.
I’ve already arranged for all expenses to be covered by my insurance.
It’s been 3 months.
Germaine sat on a bench by the lake, looking out at the calm water.
Today was the last day of his father’s trial.
Lavell had been found guilty of secondderee murder and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Germaine now lived with Aunt Marva, his father’s sister.
He continued to go to school and play basketball.
Although much had changed, he was taking anti-retrovirals regularly, and his viral load was already undetectable.
Doctors said that with this level of treatment, he could live a long, healthy life.
Kashon remained his only true friend.
He was the only one who knew the whole truth and didn’t judge.
“Hey,” came a voice from behind him, and Kashon sat down next to him on the bench.
“How are you?” “I’m okay,” Germaine answered, learning to move on.
“Your father, how’s he doing?” “He’s hanging in there.
He says he deserves his punishment, but he worries about me.
” They were silent for a moment, staring at the water.
You know, Germaine said finally, “I’ve been thinking a lot about what happened, about Chenise, about my father, about myself.
I can’t blame just her or just myself.
We all made choices that led to this.
And now what? Now I have to make the right choice.
Move on.
Maybe one day help others who are in a similar situation.
” The sun was beginning to set, coloring the lake orange and red.
Germaine stood up.
Let’s get out of here.
I have nothing more to do at this lake.
