Free Grown Folks Business by Victoria Christopher Murray

of her life.
    Kamora said, “I have a lot to tell you.”
    It wasn’t often that Sheridan was eager to hear about Kamora’s escapades as she searched for her perfect man. But this morning she couldn’t wait to hear about her friend’s latest exploits. She wanted to think about anything except where she was going and what she was about to do.
    Kamora continued, “I’ve been doing a lot of research.”
    Sheridan frowned as she turned onto La Cienega. “Working on something for the office?”
    “Girl, I ain’t hardly thinking about my company. This is about you. You will not believe the things I found out about men like Quentin.”
    Sheridan’s frown deepened. “What are you talking about?”
    “You know,” she said, as if Sheridan should be able to decipher her thoughts, “men who are married and sleeping with other men. There’s a ton of research on this.”
    Sheridan sighed. “And why would I want to hear this?”
    “Sweetie, I know this is hard, but you’ve got to know.” Kamora spoke quickly, as if she felt a protest coming. “There is just so much of this going on. And the worst thing is women are the ones suffering.”
    I can attest to that, Sheridan thought.
    “Let me read you something: ‘Women are being victimized spiritually, emotionally, socially, but most importantly, physically by men who say they are straight but sleep with other men. Women are living with and dying for men who subsist inside a secret world, having sex with men and then running home to have sex with their girlfriends, fiancées, and wives. The tragedy lies not in the denial of these men to accept the fact that they are gay; the tragedy lies in the fact that the denial is so deep, very few insist on practicing safe sex, exposing themselves and their unsuspecting female partners to the deadliest of diseases.’ ”
    Sheridan wanted to close her eyes but instead swallowed hard as she eased from the freeway and turned onto Cloverdale Boulevard.
    Kamora continued, quoting statistics on the number of men suspected of living on the down low. “And now black women are the fastest-growing group contracting AIDS.” Kamora paused for just enough time to inhale. “Honey, I hate to say this, but”—she lowered her voice—“I think you should have an AIDS test.”
    Sheridan stayed silent as she pulled into the Saint John’s Medical Center parking lot and turned off the ignition.
    “Sheridan, did you hear what I said?”
    “Yes.”
    “You may not want to, but an AIDS test is necessary because—”
    “I agree with you,” Sheridan interrupted.
    “Really?” Kamora said, as if she hadn’t expected her agreement so quickly.
    “Yes.” Sheridan’s lips trembled as she stared at the two-story medical building. She could see the windows of Dr. Hong’s second-floor examination rooms. “I need to protect myself and my children. I have to make sure I’m healthy.”
    “That’s right, girl. I’m so glad you’re looking at it this way.” Kamora’s voice softened. “Make the appointment and I’ll go with you.”
    “That’s not necessary.”
    “I’m not going to let you go through this alone. Just tell me when you’re going and I’ll be there.”
    “Now.”
    “What?”
    “I’m going now.”
    “Don’t you have to make an appointment?”
    “My doctor will see me. I’m sure of it,” Sheridan said, not bothering to explain that she’d made the appointment yesterday.
    “O…kay. Well, I have some meetings this morning, but if you can go at about one…”
    “No, I’m going right now. You’ve convinced me.” She paused and blinked to keep back her tears of fear. “I’ll just call you when it’s over.”
    “I wish you’d wait for me.”
    “I have to do this now…before I change my mind.”
    Kamora paused. “Okay, but when you finish, we’ll spend the afternoon hanging out. I have some plans for you.”
    Plans. Sheridan wondered what kind of plans she’d have to make after today. Would her doctor tell