"Olivia, you're negative," Melinda says. Olivia releases a breath she didn't know she was holding, knees quivering slightly, as relief floods her veins.
Suddenly, she begins crying. She isn't sure why- she doesn't break down, ever. But tears still streak down her face, and she realizes just how scared she was, even though she knew the chances of her actually being infected with HIV were slim.
She also realizes how hurt she is that she never knew that Jeffery was attracted to men, even though she was attracted to women. She realizes that she's overwhelmed, and she hasn't has time to deal with anything yet.
"Liv, it's okay," Melinda says softly. She sets a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You were scared, but you're okay."
"But..." Olivia tries. Her voice cracks. "That's not all. I just... I should have known about Jeffery!"
"Not everyone knows everything about someone they date," Melinda says grimly. "My husband taught me that."
Olivia raises an eyebrow at the ME. "What did he do?"
"He isn't gay, but he's just not interested... And he managed to convince me anyway," Melinda says.
Olivia gives a sigh and nods. "Looks like everyone keeps some secret from their lover."
"What was yours?" Melinda asks.
Olivia shrugs tiredly, looking at her. "I don't know."
Melinda nods, and silence falls in the room. Eventually Olivia breaks it. "By the way, thanks." She looks at Melinda critically, feeling a rush of affection towards her. "The word 'negative' never sounded as good as when you said it."
Melinda sets a hand on Olivia's shoulder. "No problem. I'm glad you're okay."
Melinda doesn't say it out loud, but she still wants to say, "And that's all that matters to me."
Instead, she watches Olivia give her a small smile and leave the room. She'll have a chance, she thinks.
Olivia feels a new set of emotions for Melinda, and she isn't ready to examine them yet. But there's something there.
She takes a long walk, thinking, and comes to a conclusion. But she doesn't act yet.
Unlike the HIV test Melinda gave her, this can wait.