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Tapestry
June 26, 1995
Tapestry's apartment, Lower Haight, San Francisco
James is one of his roommates

MW: You have two little brothers' right? Have you talked to them about HIV?

Tapestry: No, I haven't. I don't even know if they know. And I'm so scared to break it to them. My brothers have accepted so much about my life so far, it's almost like I'm intruding with this. At the same time, I don't want them to grow up with an illusion. I need to know that they know, but I don't want to tell them while I'm away from home. My mother isn't going to be completely satisfied with what I've told her about me being positive until she sees me in the flesh. My grandmother won't either. They're on the East Coast and I'm here. Until I'm standing in front of them... I just, I would like to sit down with my brothers and explain it to them. I don't want anybody to tell them for me, and I wouldn't want my big brother to tell me over the phone he was going to die and I hadn't seen him yet, and think this may be the last time I talk to him. They're closer to one another, but they're still close to me. The distance between us isn't on their part but very much on mine. It's nothing to do with my sexuality, but my life is very, very different from theirs. I spent a lot of my life being alone. And it's hard to get back in that space where I can be with them the way I'd like to, but they give me an abundance of love. I would like to sit down with my brothers and explain it to them. I don't want anybody to tell them for me...I'll be the first one back to hurt anybody that hurts either one of them! Even if I have to walk!

MW: It would be a long walk.

Tapestry: I'll buy Converse. I'll get the platform kind. By the time I get there I'll just be getting down to the last layer.

MW: What is the most enjoyable aspect of your life for you?

Tapestry: Every day now is an adventure, period. I can end up anywhere. I met some people and they're like, "let's go to the beach tomorrow." I got out of bed and took the bus to the beach, which I've never done before and found it incredibly easy! We all went out to a bar later in the evening and talked and talked and talked. Drank an ungodly amount of orange juice! That's expensive in bars! Two bucks a glass! I felt like I was ordering six beers or something! My days are about taking a deep breath, looking at my body, and going, Great! Nothing's fallen off! Taking a shower, going to BAY Positives, and hanging out there enjoying the people, answering the phones and doing my own things I have to do business-wise. Go to the Cannabis Buyers Club, hang out, talk to people. Lately, I've been working on resumes, working on tattoos that I want for my body, hanging out with people, checking out services for myself and for others. Doing a little bit of processing about my status, doing a lot more about my spiritual growth. Cooking. Lots of cooking!

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To the Surface - Meredyth Wilson

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