The Defense Attorney stood up looking over his notes before speaking. He waited a few minutes before talking to throw Justin off. It didn’t work. Justin had expected it.

“Now Mr. Taylor, you say you aren’t promiscuous, yet you are positive. Isn’t that true?”

“Yes.” Justin knew better than to elaborate.

“Who was this person you had a relationship with?”

“Christian James.”

“How long did you know him before you had sex?”

We knew of each other in the gay community as acquaintances before we became friends and then we had sex. I say as acquaintances about a year. He is fairly new in town. As a friend, about two weeks before we wanted more. He wanted me immediately but waited till I was ready. After all, he had tricks to take care of his needs.”

“Are you sure it wasn’t the first night? You are gay after all.” He smirked.

“I am sure. I never really saw him as a trick once we became friends. The two don’t go together for me.”

“Right. A trick is anonymous, isn’t it?

“Yes. Most of the time, most gays don’t ask for the name of their trick and a part I don’t like.”

“Why not?”

“Why not I don’t like it or why not ask a name?”

“Both.”

“I like to be familiar to my tricks so I try to get a name part of the time. As for other gays and me, it is a part of the lifestyle. Especially the clubbing backroom gays.”

“Explain.”

“Tricking is…excuse me your honor. Can I ask you a question?”

“Yes.”

“Can I …uh…use a word… a special sexual word here if you know what I mean?”

“Yes, you may if used properly.” Justin nods.

“Tricking is just fucking. It’s efficient, you get the maximum of pleasure with the minimum of emotion and feely stuff. Tricking is usually a one-time thing with a person and you never see him again or fuck him again so names aren’t always exchanged. Does that answer your question?”

“Not exactly. Why don’t you find it satisfying? You are a man, a gay man at that.” The last he spat out with disdain.

“Objection. He is not being objective.”

“Sustained. Reword your question and be careful how you ask it.”

“Justin, may I call you Justin.”

“Yes.”

“What does tricking lack for you?”

“It has nothing to do with making love. That was what was missing an emotional passionate component. I am a passionate man. You can tell that in my art. I needed that therefore I waited with Christian. And that is why we broke up. Tricking didn’t do it for me and tricking just to please him was hurting me. I was not being true to myself. So I stopped doing it with him. Like I said before, I only tricked once since we split.”

“Hmmm. I see.” Looking back at his notes he asked, “Did Christian ever call you something when you insisted on…shall we say a romantic flavor to your relationship?”

“Yes.” Justin started to blush thinking of it.

"What was it?”

“Girly Man.”

“What did it mean?”

“It has several connotations: being feminine for one, but in this case he meant that I was acting like a lesbian wanting a relationship, hugs, cuddles, flowers and such. I can’t help that I like someone to be mine and to be honest and true to me or care about me. Isn’t that something you want with a wife? Anyone wants in a relationship?”

The attorney for Dr. Bellbottoms went on quickly ignoring Justin’s questions.

“Isn’t it true that it was you that actually made the first pass at him? A young twink who wanted a sugar daddy.

Justin was angry. You could see it in his eyes, but he kept his cool. He would not allow Attorney Slithering to get his goat. The judge was amazed at how this young man purported himself in his courtroom. He took a second to compose himself and let his hand clench under the witness stand where no one would see. He made a point to follow the attorney’s eyes keeping eye contact and smile. He quickly let his eyes show amusement rather than rage and then looked at the jury. Then he turned his face back to Mr. Slithering.

“No.” Look at him. He isn’t my type. I make more than he does in a year with one showing. I have five showings in one year. Why would I need a sugar daddy?”

“You weren’t making that all the time you knew Dr. Bellbottoms. When did you start seeing the defendant?”

“I was three when I had my first anaphylactic episode.”

“Oh, what was it that caused the episode.”

“It was on Tylenol. He treated me as part of his rotation in ER. I then followed him when he opened his own practice. He had been kind to me then. My mother liked him as well so I continued to stay with him cause he knew my medical history and had seen what each allergy had done to me. I was used to him.”

There had been snickering in the courtroom when they had heard Tylenol.

“No one is allergic to Tylenol. Tylenol is what you get when you are allergic to everything else.”

“I am the exception. Justin was prepared for this. He reached into his pocket for his wallet which he put on top of the witness stand.

“May I?” he looked to the judge again. He was being very mature and professional, thought the judge.

“What do you want to show us?”

“My list of allergies, sir.”

“Yes, you may.” This judge liked the boy and he didn’t seem vengeful, was respectful, and controlled himself. Most kids his age would have lost control by now especially with the attacks the lawyer was using. He wasn’t sure he would have been able to with some of the questions Dr. Bellbottoms attorney was throwing at him.

Justin pulled out his two page long computerized copy of his list of allergies.” As you notice the list is alphabetical. The Tylenol is on the bottom of the second page. As you can see, I am allergic to most painkillers but aspirin, all penicillins, sulfa drugs, and the erythromycin families plus a multitude of other medicines. Dr. Bellbottom knew what a risk getting HIV or any major disease would do to me. I have such a short list of drugs I can take. That is another reason that I don’t take…uh…didn’t take the risk of anonymous sex. I always use condoms even on toys. I was extremely healthy except for my allergies. I never get sick rarely had even pimples. I never had acne problems. My body never betrayed me until now. The only times I wound up in the hospital or calling 911 was for anaphylactic shock. I carry an epi-pen now. I am never without it. We are having a problem finding an anti-viral regimen for me. As you notice the drugs in red are anti-viral drugs I am already allergic too. He truly gave me a death sentence, a life sentence without parole and death in the future even though people with AIDS are living much longer. My problem is my allergies. HIV positive is not AIDS, not yet. If I hadn’t been so healthy to start I might have developed AIDS already since I haven’t yet found the right combination of pills to keep me just positive without AIDS. Each day this list grows longer. This shouldn’t have happened to me. No one ask for this, but to get it this way is just wrong.” Justin couldn’t help his soapbox. For a second he had to take some water and try to collect himself.

“Well, maybe, you got it by a needle.

“Yes, his needle. The only needles I ever get close to are Dr. Bellbottoms needles. I don’t do drugs. I am not on a self-destructive mission. I have a lot to look forward to: graduating, art shows, making millions of dollars and more. Money is not my driving force, creating is. Money doesn’t make one happy. You have to be happy inside here.” He pointed to his heart. “Money can’t make you happy. It can only give you things. Things don’t warm you at night. He stole that from me. I had hopes for a partner, a family and kids, but I can’t subject anyone to that risk.”

“Did you say kids?”

“Yes, kids. “

“But you are gay.”

“That is right and you are straight. We both can procreate. Being gay doesn’t negate a need for some of us to plant our seed any more than some straights would rather not have kids. I wanted to plant my seed, have a child or three, be a father, and become immortal through my legacy although I could become immortal through my art. I will be remembered that way but every man would love to be remembered and through children that would continue for a long while.”

“How can you have kids? You don’t sleep with women.”

“Yes, I can. Read the papers. This is the twenty-first century. Gays are having kids, adopting kids, and fighting for their rights as parents as well as other rights. Just because we suck dick instead of pussy doesn’t make us that different.” He turns. “Sorry, your honor.” He nods. “Where was I? Oh yes, we still bleed the same as you, have the same needs, wants and dreams and we each put our pants on the same way, one leg at a time.”

“You didn’t answer the question.”

“Oh right. I guess you specifically want to know the biological way. It is simple. I could have gotten a surrogate mother or helped a lesbian friend get her wish to be a mother. I don’t have to procreate by sticking it in a woman. I can jerk off into a specimen cup like when you want to save your sperm for a sperm bank and then have her lover shoot it up her. Is that graphic enough for you?” Justin says this with a big innocent smile. Or I could have thought of the hottest guy I can think of and put my seed into a woman I care about. Actually, my best friend Daphne was willing to give me a baby when I was ready. I thought I would wait and decide if I was ready when we were both twenty five, but now I can’t ever know that privilege.” Looking again at the judge.” Again, sorry your honor.”

“It is quite okay Mr. Taylor. Mr. Slithering, I suggest you keep your tone neutral or else I will charge you with contempt.”

“Sorry your honor.”

“No you are not, but watch it and continue. I will not tell you again.

He continued on with question after question trying to get him to lose his cool and to discredit him but Justin was smart and cool. He was in the right and he knew it. He knew that his client had been trying to get into his pants. All that Justin said was probably true. He wished he hadn’t taken this case. Finally, he stepped back to his seat and said “No more questions.”

“You may step down.”

“Thank you your honor.” Justin remarked with his famous smile. He wanted to smirk but he didn’t.

Many more prosecutor witnesses came and went. Including Christian James who admitted that he was a slut but Justin never could tolerate or abide that life. He admitted calling him a ‘girly man’ but he had done it affectionately. He had come to realize he was a gay man that just couldn’t open up his life to relationships. He preferred not getting close to whom he tricked. There were just too many men out there to try out. This was his life and when he had found out that Justin was positive he couldn’t believe it.

“When I was with him for those six months and two weeks, I could count on less than one hand how many tricks Justin had. It was two in the two weeks before he had given himself to him and those were to appease him. Justin never tricked once they were together. Christian had tried to get him to party hardy and play around but he couldn’t do it. It isn’t in his make up. He didn’t need sex every minute like he did. Justin seemed to put all his sexual energy into his art. I stayed longer than I should have because Justin was amazing in bed, as passionate there as with his art.” Mr. Slitherings made his history has lurid as it was. Again he admitted he was one step up from a whore. Just barely. He knew Justin wouldn’t last with him. Justin wanted the American Dream even if he was a queer.

Some of the other patients of Dr. Bellbottoms who were HIV positive now also spoke up, as well as Daphne, but it wasn’t until Evelyn took the seat that his goose was cooked and Mr. Slitherings knew it. He would put on the best defense but no way was he going to do much damage to the prosecution’s case.

Evelyn took the stand.

“May I call you Evelyn?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you. How long have you known Justin Taylor?

“Since I came to work for Dr. Bellbottoms five years ago. Well, it would have been five years tomorrow.

“Did you become friends with Justin?”

“Yes, because he is such a sweet young man. He was sixteen when I met him. He was coming in yet for another work up. He was certain that he was reacting to something new. It turned out that he was now also allergic to all the flowers and bushes in and around Chicago and the outlying areas. He just shrugged and accepted it. He was put on a new regimen of injections to cover the new allergies. He had liked to camp out with his dad because that was the only time he got any attention from him. He hated camping itself. Now he had an excuse not to go but was sad that he wouldn’t get that special attention man-to-man and father to son. I couldn’t ignore his innocence or his smile. It is very captivating. He needed a friend. His father wasn’t one.”

“Objection on the last sentence. She is speculating.”

“Sustained. Strike the last sentence from the record.”

“Let’s move on. Justin turned twenty. What happened then with Dr. Bellbottoms and Justin? Did their relationship change?”

“Yes, it did. Justin came in a week after his birthday for the usual allergy injection. Blaine touched his thigh near his dick. He stroked it. I was there because the three of us were discussing his moving into adulthood. We were giving Justin some grief good naturedly. Justin looked at the doctor and kindly asked him to stop. He did but then he asked Justin if he could buy him breakfast for his birthday. Justin had other plans. He always has other plans. Then Blaine asked if he could take him dancing. Justin politely said no. He never once gave him any indication that he was interested.”

“How long did this go on?”

A little over a year. Dr. Bellbottoms kept at it all year. Always touching him inappropriately. He tried so hard to give reasons why he touched him. They knew each other for so long and he didn’t want to change. He was there when Justin had a few bad attacks. He was familiar, but after he turned twenty one he knew he had to leave. He had picked out another allergist but he couldn’t take him till the following month. So he came one last time. He asked for a flu shot as well. He had a lot coming up and didn’t want to get sick even though I had never known him to get sick other than allergy attacks or anaphylactic shock.”

“Did Dr. Bellbottoms need to go to the refrigerator for the flu shot?”

“No. we put several vials in the examining room each day. Justin was the first patient that day. I had personally put some there in the usual drawer. Justin didn’t know that procedure. He just assumed that it was in the refrigerator when Dr. Bellbottoms said it. I replace the vials every couple of hours to make sure he has what he needs in the room at any given time. That is my job. I come in an hour earlier than the patients so everything is ready. I didn’t forget. I showed the doctor that it was where it was supposed to be after Justin mentioned something. He had figured it wasn’t there just because he hadn’t forewarned Blaine about it. I had told him that it was there. He just shrugged. I am glad he figured it out. I don’t want to work for someone who gives people HIV especially good people like Justin.”

“What else happened that last day in the office and do you have a nickname for Dr. Bellbottoms?”

“Ah. You mean ‘bellysmelly,’ yeah we do. Look at him. Change that smell him. He uses cologne that doesn’t act well with his chemistry. Many a day he smells like ether. He thinks he smells great. I tried to get him to stop using it. Also, he is much older than Justin and Justin has said that he would never be that desperate to top bottom boy. That is Dr. Bellbottoms. We were joking around at the time.” There had been snickers in the courtroom at the doctor’s expense. “What was the rest of your question again?”

“What else happened that last day?”

“Oh, yeah. Well as usual, Blaine brushed against Justin and tried to get him to go to breakfast but he had a prior arrangement with his best friend as per usual. Blaine hit on Justin every chance he got. If it was once, it would have been no big deal. He then mentioned that he wanted to dance with him at the club. He even mentioned that he knew Justin’s habits of eating breakfast after shots and going dancing after his show openings. That night he had a show opening. It seems like the doctor keeps up with his schedule. It was then that Justin asked me to transfer his files to the new allergist. That was before he walked into the examining room to get his shot. As he walked in he mentioned the flu shot. I guess that was the chance for him to give it to him because he had already drawn up the allergy injection.”

After a few more questions, he was satisfied. He nodded to Mr. Slitherings.

“Evelyn, may I call you that?”

“It is my name.”

“You said you were his friend.”

“Yes.”

“Aren’t you attracted to Justin?”

“Well, yes. Who wouldn’t be?” Some jurors nodded.

“You want him, don’t you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Now don’t play the innocent act. You want him to be your lover.”

“No, I don’t. I always knew he was gay and I never looked at him like that.”

“Yeah, but you probably dreamed about him?”

“Look, I don’t like what you are implying. I dream of Tom Cruise but I know I don’t have a chance with him. The same goes for Justin. He is gay. I wouldn’t be a woman not to notice his looks and his smile. I just hope he finds a man that will love him completely even now. He deserves that. He doesn’t deserve HIV.”

“Objection.”

“Overruled.”

“No more questions.

“The prosecution rests.”

The defense put up their character witnesses leaving Dr. Bellbottoms for last. Mr. Slitherings tried to get the ‘good’ doctor to not take the stand but he was too egotistical and arrogant to believe he would be found guilty. He demanded the witness seat. This thrilled the D.A. Mr. Slitherings made sure that he called him his professional name to make the point that this man was above Justin.

“Dr. Bellbottoms, have you known Justin for eighteen years?”

“Yes.”

“Exhibit D is a list of Justin’s allergies. Is this all of them?” He was hoping that something had been added that would show that he was adding more than he could possibly have.

“I know of all of them except the antivirals since I wasn’t seeing him then.” “Shit,” said Mr. Slitherings under his breath. . He was sure the boy was exaggerating.

“What was that you said, asked Judge Samuels known as an honest judge He continued to ask question after question. Each one went differently then he had rehearsed him. He stopped asking.

It was the D.A.’s turn. He asked several questions, each making the doctor hotter under the collar. His goal was to make him give a confession like Perry Mason and he knew he was close.

“Dr. Bellbottoms, why did you touch Justin when he didn’t want it?”

“Because I always get what I want. I am patient but in the end I do.”

“But you didn’t get what you wanted. He was leaving you.”

“NO ONE LEAVES ME! NO ONE! IF ANYONE TRIES, THEY GET WHAT THEY DESERVE!” He was screaming, his face was red and full of rage.

“And how did Justin get what he deserves?”

With a smirk on his face, eyes blazing, he spoke. “I got him good, real good. No one will have him now. No one.” He beamed.

“How?”

“HIV, that’s how. I gave them all HIV. They deserve it. No one says no to me. NO ONE! I AM BETTER THAN ALL OF THEM.”

“That is all I have to say.” Dr. Bellbottoms had a smirk on his face. He didn’t even realize what he had done. He was so full of himself. It was barely 11:30 in the morning. Judge Samuels called a recess for lunch to 1:00 pm. He needed time to cool down. He felt badly for this talented young man who may not live long because of a man who believed himself a god. The afternoon would be closing statements and then jury instructions. He was sure it would take longer to give instructions than get the verdict. He was going to try to talk the boy into a civil lawsuit for damages as well.

This had been a high profile national case and reporters and TV crews had been allowed in. At first, they had taken the doctor’s side certain it had been a vengeful act on the young man’s part. Brian had been intrigued with the story and had kept up with the newspaper articles and the news programs about this young blond man. A gay man that had the spunk to tackle and take down a well-known doctor was worth noting. He had been home that morning doing work and had decided to watch the proceedings because he was curious what this doctor would say. The day before he had signed a big contract and had decided to have a relaxing day home. The doctor had already started answering questions. It was 10:45 am. He was surprised his attorney was allowing those questions to be answered. Then he realized that it was his own lawyer and the man wasn’t even keeping to the script. He could tell. He was reading his lawyer who seemed at a loss and kept trying to make it right. Eventually, he gave up. Brian started to critique the trial in his mind. ‘Ahh! Here comes Mr. Meadows. We are in for a ride now. The doctor has opened up a few doors. I never watch these things but this is a great show. Besides, this Justin guy looks hot. Damn! This guy reminds me of Perry Mason. I wonder if he will also get a confession. Those things never happen in real life. DAMN! Glad I didn’t bet anyone on that one. Good for this young man. His life is on hold and he doesn’t even trick. Well, since it is a gay person I doubt he will get much. Brian turned off the TV and went back to work with a freshly made cup of coffee.

He decided around 1:00 that he didn’t to go to the bathroom, needed some water and decided he wanted to see what the closing statements would be so he turned on the TV. As he got a beer instead deciding that would be better, he listened to the beginning of the statements. The prosecution went first and then was the defendant’s lawyer. There was nothing he could do except try to lessen the time. Brian laughed. Mr. Slitherings, what a name. How could a man go through life with that? Brian thought. Mr. Slitherings, he could tell had given up and was going through the motions. The judge was giving directions to the jury before 2:00 pm. Brian decided to leave it on as he was tidying up the loft. By 2:15 pm the jury had made its verdict and was coming back. It had taken one vote. They didn’t even discuss it. The verdict was flashing on all channels as a special bulletin. They had found Dr. Bellbottoms guilty on all counts. Sentencing will be in a week.

A week later, amid sentencing, the not-so-good doctor was given fifty years without parole. The judge wished that he could inject him with HIV but that wasn’t in the cards. He told Mr. Taylor to also sue him for everything he has left, but Justin told the judge that money wasn’t why he did it. He was just happy that no one else would become positive because of his arrogance. Besides, he was in the next year gonna be worth much more than the doctor. The doctor gave him a look. He had screamed when he had been found guilty, “A MAN LIKE ME NEVER GOES TO JAIL. I AM ABOVE IT.” He had to be restrained. He tried to get to Justin. “I didn’t do enough to you. I should have killed you.” He threatened trying to get at Justin.

The judge told him to get under control. He didn’t. The judge added an extra year for contempt. It was from both the Jury declaration and now. Finally, slammed back into his chair, handcuffed, and then put back in jail waiting for transfer to the penitentiary.

A year later, Justin had moved on. He had also moved, had an unlisted number and changed his name because of the publicity. His name change had helped him become anonymous again. That is except for his art. Tonight was opening night for yet another gallery showing and it went as all the others. Most of his paintings were sold already. He only had five left to sell and those would be sold in a week if not sooner. His paintings were now $35,000 a piece and twenty had been sold already. He had made $700,000 so far. That was all his. The gallery’s commission would come out of the last five paintings.

It was time to go dance. He couldn’t wait. It was his second greatest love. He had finally gotten a cocktail he wasn’t allergic to and he had learned all about HIV. Living it was intense. He hadn’t tricked since he was diagnosed. He wouldn’t do that to a guy. He wouldn’t take the chance. He had been a top. What if the rubber broke? He redirected his needs even more into his art and his dancing. He knew he was gorgeous and hot. That hadn’t changed. This was his favorite club. It had a great backroom which he would/could never frequent again. His smile was still strong, but his eyes were filled with sadness hiding behind his smile. Only a few he knew could tell when this weight was getting him down. He was still hopeful and positive that he would survive.

After the trial, he had finally let himself feel the grief. He had cried and grieved for all that he had lost. Now he was living. Each day was precious and the nights were for dancing.

He got himself a bottle of water, downed it, and then got onto the dance floor. Soon he was dancing to the beat oblivious to anyone else dancing. He didn’t need a partner to enjoy himself.

Brian had been at Brown Athletics all day. He had procured the contract with his unique ideas. He was going to bring Brown into the twenty-first century with its advertising. Now he was going to enjoy some celebratory drinking and fucking. He was going to go to the best club in town. He had been there before when he was in Chicago. He hoped it was still full of deliciously hot guys.

He arrived, got a beer, and moved to the catwalk to peruse the pickings. His eyes fell upon a blond beauty dancing by himself and totally into the music. He swung back the last of the beer and snaked his way through the crowd to this vision of loveliness. He wet his lips in anticipation. He wanted this man. Brian got in front of Justin and started to dance. He moved closer. Justin’s eyes were closed but he sensed fire and pure unadulterated sexuality. He opened his eyes and saw a sight that nearly made him cum in his pants. A chestnut haired, hazel-eyed Adonis. He stopped breathing. Brian put his arms on his shoulders, swayed to the music, put his forehead to Justin’s and they danced, then again to the next song and a third. They were so hot together that people stopped to watch. As Brian went to kiss him, gyrating closer and closer, their cocks rubbing, their breath becoming more rapid, their heartbeats thumping, Brian kissed his lips. They kissed swapping tongues, battling supremacy. The club members had never seen Justin so into a man before. Usually he either danced by himself or danced with someone just for dancing. Everyone knew he never played. They only danced with him just because he was friendly and if you wanted a trick you moved on. People were protective of him.

Brian finally gets to the point of needing more from Justin. When he had spotted him, he knew he had to have him. He was beautiful, he was more. Something had struck him about the boy. He didn’t know why but he was being drawn to him like no other. When Justin had opened his eyes and seen Brian, he knew in his heart that this man was the love of his life but he couldn’t do that to him. He would just enjoy him while he could.

Brian couldn’t breathe. He wanted him that much. Something was awakening in him that he never had felt before. He just couldn’t place it. At the end of the third dance he asked Justin his name and got James Tate not Justin Taylor. Justin had kept the same initials because of his art. He had been known already. They did a fourth dance and a fifth and finally Brian couldn’t hold it anymore. He was so hard.

“James, I need you. Come back with me to my hotel.”

“No.” Justin pulled himself away after saying no and ran out of the club. Brian was flabbergasted. No one ever said no to him. Besides, he had felt it. James had wanted him as much as he wanted James. He had actually asked his name. That wasn’t like him at all. He hadn’t been teasing. He knew how to read people. “What in the world happened? After he realized that James was gone, he ran after him to no avail. He was gone.