I met my friend Emerson for a bite at Barley Brewhaus in OP. Usually, the OP isn’t my scene, but Em is full on suburban, with a wife, kids and picket fence. Once he heard about my new gig, he wanted to meet up and talk about his experience with his brother. I thought this would be the perfect interview for The Buck Report.
Em and I go way back to our prep school days, when he was a senior and I was a lowly freshman. Even then, he was a solid dude and someone you could go to with your problems. As I found out, a lot of this came from being around his older brother who died from complications associated with AIDS in 1992. Here is his story.
We’re both enjoying a Tallgrass Ale. He is having the Vegetarian Sandwich; I’m indulging in the Fungus and Fromage pizza. Both come highly recommended.
Bucky: Tell me about your big brother. What was he like?
Emerson: My brother was a great guy. He was ten years older than me, but he always included me in his life. Even after he moved out and went onto college, he made time for me. He would have made a great dad.
Bucky: When did he find out he was positive?
Emerson: He was diagnosed in 1990. He came home for winter break and wasn’t feeling well. The doctor gave him an HIV test “just to rule it out” and it came back positive. My family was in shock. Preston had always been a very monogamous guy, one partner at a time. However, as we learned, being monogamous isn’t enough to protect you.
Bucky: What did this do to your family?
Emerson: Initially, we were divided. My mom wanted to protect her son. She didn’t want to tell anyone, afraid that they would judge Preston, judge her as a mother. You have to remember, this was 1990, before protease inhibitors. This was when being positive equaled a death sentence. Family members were afraid to hug him.
My dad was angry. Why his son? Dad drank a lot in the early days of Preston’s illness. He felt powerless against AIDS and being a doctor himself, he felt letdown by the medical establishment.
My sister and I couldn’t believe our big brother, who was larger than life in our eyes, was being cut down by a illness. My brother went down hill fast. He went from being this tall, strong, young guy to bed-ridden in a period of months.
Bucky: What do you want your kids to know about their Uncle Preston?
Emerson: I wish he could have met my family. We named our son after him. Preston is just two, and Addison is 3 months, but already I talk to them about their amazing uncle. I tell them how kindhearted and generous he was, he was a friend to everyone and had the most contiguous laugh.
I hope my brother’s death will help me be open and comfortable talking about sexuality in healthy, straightforward manner. I want them to realize that HIV doesn’t care about your race, religion, how much money is in your bank account, who you love, none of that matters. You must protect yourself and the people you love.
Bucky: Thanks for being interviewed for The Buck Report.
Emerson: Thanks for picking up the tab.
Em and I go way back to our prep school days, when he was a senior and I was a lowly freshman. Even then, he was a solid dude and someone you could go to with your problems. As I found out, a lot of this came from being around his older brother who died from complications associated with AIDS in 1992. Here is his story.
We’re both enjoying a Tallgrass Ale. He is having the Vegetarian Sandwich; I’m indulging in the Fungus and Fromage pizza. Both come highly recommended.
Bucky: Tell me about your big brother. What was he like?
Emerson: My brother was a great guy. He was ten years older than me, but he always included me in his life. Even after he moved out and went onto college, he made time for me. He would have made a great dad.
Bucky: When did he find out he was positive?
Emerson: He was diagnosed in 1990. He came home for winter break and wasn’t feeling well. The doctor gave him an HIV test “just to rule it out” and it came back positive. My family was in shock. Preston had always been a very monogamous guy, one partner at a time. However, as we learned, being monogamous isn’t enough to protect you.
Bucky: What did this do to your family?
Emerson: Initially, we were divided. My mom wanted to protect her son. She didn’t want to tell anyone, afraid that they would judge Preston, judge her as a mother. You have to remember, this was 1990, before protease inhibitors. This was when being positive equaled a death sentence. Family members were afraid to hug him.
My dad was angry. Why his son? Dad drank a lot in the early days of Preston’s illness. He felt powerless against AIDS and being a doctor himself, he felt letdown by the medical establishment.
My sister and I couldn’t believe our big brother, who was larger than life in our eyes, was being cut down by a illness. My brother went down hill fast. He went from being this tall, strong, young guy to bed-ridden in a period of months.
Bucky: What do you want your kids to know about their Uncle Preston?
Emerson: I wish he could have met my family. We named our son after him. Preston is just two, and Addison is 3 months, but already I talk to them about their amazing uncle. I tell them how kindhearted and generous he was, he was a friend to everyone and had the most contiguous laugh.
I hope my brother’s death will help me be open and comfortable talking about sexuality in healthy, straightforward manner. I want them to realize that HIV doesn’t care about your race, religion, how much money is in your bank account, who you love, none of that matters. You must protect yourself and the people you love.
Bucky: Thanks for being interviewed for The Buck Report.
Emerson: Thanks for picking up the tab.
Image is Deer Stretched Wall Art by Avalisa at pillowsandthrows.com
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