PENNY (7 page)
Authors: Rishona Hall
He didn't let something like AIDS get in the way of their happiness.
A decade earlier (October 31, 1999)
"Trick or treat! Trick or treat! Give me something good to eat!!"
"Iris, you can pass it out now." Peggy handed her the bowl of candy. She reached out to open the front door. There were two boys standing on the porch. Mason and Forrest Hunter.
"Trick or treat!!" The two shouted.
Iris scooped up some candy, placing it in the bucket of the boy who was dressed like Batman. She reached in to collect more. When she reached out to place it in Masons' bucket, he pulled away. She didn't know why he treated her that way. As if she was a disease. Did he perhap
s
f
i
nd out about her HIV?
"I don't want any anymore." Mason turned, rushing
off
.
"Thanks, Iris." Forrest spoke before following his brother.
That following day, Iris walked with Forrest to the neighborhood park. "He was just being a pest." Forrest informed.
"Why doesn't he like me?" Forrest shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't know. I think he's jealous."
"Jealous?" He tossed the tree branch to the ground while turning to face her.
"Because we're friends. He hates you because of that." She had no idea. "But I don't care what my brother thinks. I'll always be your friend."
Hearing this brought tears to her eyes. No one ever made her feel special like Forrest did. He was truly d
iff
erent. And she was grateful for meeting him.
By Shona
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