La Abierta, Xicano Sol [i have read the book a hundred times .txt] 📗

It would be his third attempt at a successful relationship. His first two ended in drama because he had been cheated on and felt that men were simply not meant to be monogamous. He decided that this time it was going to be different; he agreed to be in an open relationship. He lived with his current partner for three years now. The main rules included safe sex and not bringing sex partners into their home. At first he was ok with the situation, it was easier than he thought it would be. In some ways he felt that he had his cake and was eating it too.

I responded that it appeared that he was in a relationship he found fulfilling and that I wasn’t too clear as to why he had scheduled time to see me. He went on to explain that he only got into the relationship because he felt that he could do no better. Secretly he still yearned to find someone that he would only want to be with, and more importantly that would only want to be with him. It was the only reason he left the door “Open”. He acknowledged that he had grown comfortable in his current relationship and was always safe with his outside sex partners.

He then shared that he recently went for his annual check up and was diagnosed with HIV. He wasn’t sure how to tell his partner and felt that it would end the relationship. He mentioned that he didn’t blame his partner for his infection. He stood up and said “I accept responsibility because I put myself in this situation. I think I just needed to tell someone what I was going through.” At that point he shook my hand, said “Thank You”, and walked out the door.

Publication Date: 12-12-2011

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