Even when I’m on a train speeding away from everything, it’s still hard to leave the note behind. I can’t stop thinking about it. I’m sandwiched between Claudia and Lydia, but I’m not paying attention to what they’re saying. I’m looking out the window. Who could’ve written it? Who would even know that I have HIV? They’d have to have seen me at the hospital, and I can’t imagine another kid taking time out of their day to follow me there. Maybe they were already at St. Mary’s visiting a sick relative or something.

“Hey, Simone. Earth to Simooooone.”

The train is slowing to a stop, and Lydia squeezes my hand.

“Are you okay?” she asks. “You seem pretty out of it.”

“She’s probably thinking about the Pleasure Chest,” Claudia says, nudging my shoulder. “Are you excited?”

“Totally.” I jump on the distraction. “Hey, since this was your idea, shouldn’t you buy me whatever I want?”

“Absolutely not,” she laughs as we get off the cable car. “We’re here to get one vibrator for you and one for my girlfriend, so both of you horny broads can simmer down.”

Since Our Lady of Lourdes was two hours away from San Francisco, I never had much of a chance to explore the city with my old friends. I was never here long enough to see all the cool places and on holidays, I usually went to New York with my parents. Now I’m going to a place called the Pleasure Chest with my friends in the heart of a city that feels like a new world. I’ve never been so excited.

“What if I don’t want to simmer down?” I say. “What if I want to get laid?”

“Oh man,” Claudia says, shaking her head. “I’m afraid I can’t help you with that.”

“Oh my God,” Lydia says. “I can’t believe the two of you.”

“What are you talking about?” I give her some serious side-eye. “We talk about sex all the time.”

“It’s different this time.” She’s actually wearing a trench coat, even though it’s nowhere close to raining. “We’re going to a store that sells dildos. Why can’t we just buy a vibrator online, like normal people? They might not even let us in!”

“That’s why we have fake IDs, Lydia,” I say, banging my shoulder against hers. “Not to vote or drink, but to buy vibrators for our girlfriends.”

Claudia nods. “It’s the best way to use a fake.”

Lydia huffs. “I can’t take either of you anywhere.”