"Irvin, you really did...
"Why didn't you tell me? Why did you come get it alone? I told you I'd come with you!"
"What?"
Kate stared at me in disbelief.
"You came to pick up the report by yourself?"
I kept my expression flat. Said nothing.
She grabbed my arm.
"Irvin Dickerson! You are hiding something from me!"
"I'm not!"
"Then why did you come alone? What are you so afraid your friend will find out?"
"I was afraid that—"
I stopped mid-sentence.
Turned to look at Cedric.
That day, we'd both gotten tested.
But only my phone number was left on file.
I'd originally planned to pick up the results with Cedric.
But then the doctor called—and told me Cedric's results were bad.
That's when I decided to collect them first. For him.
After a moment's hesitation, I kept my mouth shut.
Kate's brows drew together.
"You bastard!"
She shoved me hard.
"This is how you treat me?
"Did you fake the premarital exam too? Are you trying to kill me? If Cedric hadn't told me the truth, would I have ended up just like you?"
I opened my mouth to speak—but a familiar figure burst through the crowd.
A palm cracked across my face.
I stared at the person before me, unable to process what had just happened.
"Mom?"
"You worthless disgrace!"