The scene was picture perfect.

Liam was outside playing with Joel in the snow, throwing snowballs at each other and laughing . It almost seemed like Joel was truly his father.

My mother and I watched them from our front bay window as we drank some hot tea together, as we do every Thursday. My mother looked out the window for a bit before asking, “So when are you going to tell him?”

I swirled my tea around in my cup, “I was thinking never.”

“Hazel Marie Parker!”

“Well you said it’s much less likely for him to get it from me. So he never needs to know now does he.”

Mom shook her head, “I don’t like how that sounds at all,” She sighed, “But I can’t change your mind. Just don’t stop taking your AZT .”

“Ok Mom.”

“Now why don’t you go outside and join them?”

I got my jacket on and walked outside to be greeted by a dozen snowballs, followed by Joel wrapping his arms around me and giving me a kiss.