Bareword
Same Day Test

8.47am

It’s Gabrielle on the phone. I’m surprised. I haven’t heard from her for months. And that time we didn’t exactly part on speaking terms.

—Tom. I’m positive. You’d better get a test.

I don’t know what she means. Positive about what?

—HIV, you fucking idiot. I had it while we were still screwing. Go to the Infirmary. You can get a test there.

And she slams the phone down, doesn’t settle it back into its cradle or just press the button to cut me off. She crashes the receiver down like she’s trying to break the phone in half.


Gabrielle | Phone Infirmary