I’m sorry sir, we cannot accept your blood.

You can exit at the other end of the mobile. Thank you and have a great day.

——————————

My mom was helping me move into my freshman dorm room. A blue Toyota Sienna parked behind us. He timidly pulled aside the sliding door and took his first steps on campus.

How will people accept me?

All the new faces gathered in the dorm lounge. We hadn’t even met, but we were told that by the end of the year we would be a family. The staff were talking about something like no alcohol in public places, and being considerate to our roommates. We were to vote for dorm president, any nominations?

The dreamy-eyed blonde with the athletic build.

The overly tanned chick in a spaghetti strap and short shorts.

“This guy”, I offer. He swings his head to follow the line of my finger.

Who is she pointing at?

His body takes a sudden jump back when he realizes that everyone is looking at him. I don’t even know his name.

“And the reason for your nomination?”

“He seems like a sincere guy.”

—

Chem section let out late. Great, I’m late for house meeting. Breathing quickly, I rush into the lounge. He is sitting on top of the back of the couch, commanding the room.

“Hello Crystal”, he smiles. “Glad you could join us. Continuing with business…”

—

I was waiting to take my senior portrait in the student center. Flipping through the brochures trying to sell me various overpriced portrait packages, I felt a warm, familiar presence behind me.

“Hello Crystal, long time no see.”

He looked the same, but more mature. Dressed in a jacket and tie instead of the usual sweater and slacks, matched with baggy jeans and flip-flops. Yet, he was the same goofy freshman who had the unlimited capacity to surprise me.

“Nice outfit,” I offer.

“Thanks, they can’t see my pants anyway, right? Saw a blood donation mobile center on the way here, want to donate blood with me?”

“I’ve never done it before,” I reply, apprehensively.

“Don’t worry.”

And somehow, because he said it, I didn’t.

Lying on adjacent makeshift beds, the nurses took our blood pressure and searched for a usable vein. He flashed a reassuring smile at me, like we were in this together. His “First Time Donor” sticker proudly adorned his chest.

I’m sorry sir, we cannot accept your blood.

Your blood.

You have had sexual contact with another male.

We don’t want your blood. Gay blood.

You can exit at the other end of the mobile, have a great day.