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Continued...

A pensive look covers Jason's face as he pauses for a short while. Seeming like an eternity, Lucas stares back in anticipation before taking a knife to the deathly silence.

"What is it, Jason?"

"I...I believe I contracted something while I was with Keith. I mean, I'm pretty sure I did while I was with him."

Lucas bites his lip as he probes for answers. "Like what? And how sure are you that you contracted whatever it is from Keith?"

"Look, I'm not some kind of whore who cheats on my boyfriend...I was monogamous the whole time Keith and I were together. Whether he was faithful- well, that's debatable." Jason fires back.

"Excuse me? I knew Keith very well and he never cheated on you. There's just no way."

"Well, Keith was best at keeping secrets. Hell, have you forgotten that he never even told me about you?"

"Because there was nothing going on- and besides, you had your jealousy issues….Look, I don't want to argue about this because we're just going to go in circles." Lucas pauses for a moment and takes a sip of water before continuing. "But I do know he never cheated on you. That wasn't what Keith was about."

"Then how do you explain the fact that I was monogamous with him the whole time and I contracted something so horrible? Lucas...I have...I'm HIV positive."

Lucas' eyes grow wide for a moment as he stares back in disbelief. HIV positive? Was it truly possible that Jason contracted something while he was with Keith? No, there couldn't have been a way. He knew Keith better than that, and Keith just wouldn't cheat- especially with someone not using protection. There was simply no way.

"No, I don't believe it...I mean, have you gotten retested since your initial diagnosis? You know those tests aren't always accurate."

"Yes, I've been retested twice and I got the same result each time, Lucas. I've had a hard enough time dealing with this in the last six months. Hell, you're only the second person I've even told- and the first person only knows because she was there at the doctor's office with me. I just can't force myself to say it aloud...but I did tonight, so I guess I should be proud of myself."

"Yes, you should...I mean, I'm so sorry. I can only imagine the pain you've been going through. If there's anything I can do, please let me know. Like I said, Shane is HIV positive and I also have other friends who are as well...Just know that there's a lot of support out there for you."

"Wait, so Shane and you dated- right? So, I mean, are you positive as well?" Jason inquires.

"No...no, I'm not. I actually just got my regular testing done, and I was told I'm still negative. Shane and I were very careful. I knew he was positive when I went into the relationship, but for some reason it didn't faze me. I fell in love with him...not caring what he had, you know?"

"I can understand that..."

Jason hides his face behind his hands for a moment as he feels the tears start to appear in his eyes. Another dead end it seems. Lucas swears that Keith never cheated, and if Lucas was negative, then Keith certainly didn't contract it from him. Lucas had to be telling the truth- he just seemed so sincere. The hardest part for Jason was not knowing...and he felt now that he was lost more than ever.


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Scene: The Preston Residence.

Kayla had just finished putting the last of her suitcases in the trunk- hidden from an uncaring world and a sister-in-law that would grace Kayla with her presence any moment. Haylie was now asleep, thank God, as Kayla stared back at her one last time before closing the door behind her. She just couldn't bear looking into those sparkling blue eyes one more time...they would pierce through her like a sharp knife cutting her every limb. There was just no easy way to say good bye to such a young soul who couldn't understand.

She finally hears a knock at the door and slowly makes her way through the house to meet Valerie. She opens the door, her eyes slightly red from crying earlier, and forces herself to smile.

"Kayla, are you okay? You look like you've been crying."

"I'm fine...it's just been a hard day. I really appreciate you coming over so quickly. I'm so sorry if I interrupted anything."

"No, no...you're fine. So what's going on?" Valerie inquires.

"It's my mother. She went on another drinking binge and nearly killed herself. She's in the hospital now and I just didn't want to take Haylie with me. I just really need you to watch her while I go and find some answers. Is that okay?"

"Sure….I mean, I'm so sorry to hear about Vanessa. I hope she's okay."

"I'm sure things will work themselves out in the future..." Kayla tries to convince herself as she forces herself to lie once more. "I just need to go and be with her. Rick should be home in a few hours."

"Yeah, no problem at all. Is she sleeping now?"

"Yeah, she just fell asleep. By the way, Val, there's a note on my nightstand for Rick...Please let him know it's there when he gets home."

"Of course."

Kayla looks one last time around the living room and studies the pictures that hang on the wall. She notices Haylie's first baby picture and a family portrait that she, Rick and Haylie had taken just a few months ago. She had to leave soon or she knew she would back out. Saying a final farewell to this fantasy was just too much...she could no longer live a lie, but she dreaded the pain that would come from her disappearance. She could only hope that Rick and Haylie would someday understand.

She quickly embraces Val with a hug and flashes a fake smile once more before she turns her back to the house and walks towards her car. Her whole body is shaking viciously and each stride seems to get longer as she makes her way to the front seat of the car. When she is no longer in view of the living room window, she decides she can't hold her composure any longer and she finally breaks down. Tears begin to stream down her face as she does her best to turn her key and back out of the driveway. She was leaving the home that Rick and she had built for their future...a future that was now crumbling before her very eyes. It was a seamless lie, a fantasy she simply couldn't bear to hold onto any longer...

To be Continued...

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Now your thoughts...

• Will Kayla have the courage to return?
• How will Rick and the family react to Kayla's departure?
• What will Jason's next step be? Will he ever find answers?
• How will Emily exact her revenge on Diane?
  
  Please let us know your thoughts and any other feedback you have in the Pac Heights Forum!