Page 63 of Sex Positive
Most importantly, the spotlight that Victoria’s appearance onMale Perspectivecast on The Wild Rue has meant an uptick in donations both locally and nationally. It isn’t enough yet to completely eradicate the looming threat of the sale to Heartbeat Care, but Victoria has reassured Charlie that it gives them a little room to breathe.
Furthermore, the clinic is booked solid for the next month, and a few local news outlets have already contacted Victoria about doing news segments highlighting The Wild Rue and how it benefits the community.
Charlie is thrilled, feeling energized and motivated all week, but she also knows they can do more.
She plucks a Jolly Rancher from the bowl of candy in the middle of the table, unrolls the wrapper, and pops it in her mouth.
“These events have always been one of my favorite things about this place,” Victoria says. “Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing patients and everything else we do here, but educating people and making it fun reminds me why I love medicine so much. It’s so important to teach patients how to take control of their own health and make informed decisions.”
After the podcast aired, Carolyn featured a slew of clips from the episode on the clinic’s page. Victoria’s enthusiasm was evident in every word she spoke.
“That’s why I love the sex ed pilot program you’re creating.” She smiles at Charlie. “It’s actually been a dream of mine for a while to host something on a larger scale.”
“What do you mean?” Charlie asks.
Victoria waves a hand through the air. “You know, like an annual event for the clinic. Not the holiday party, but, like…” She taps a finger against her lips. “Like Pride, but with a sex education twist. Like a festival where people attend workshops and sex talks, and maybe there would be a band or STI testing or…” She trails off, smiling ruefully. “Or whatever. It would be a way to raise money for the clinic, but the point would be to raise awareness of the importance of sexual health and education. And it would befun, you know?”
Charlie stares at her with surprise. When she glances at Carolyn, she finds that she’s watching Victoria with the same expression, a slow smile forming on her lips.
“That’s a great idea,” Charlie says.
Victoria shrugs. “Yeah, it is. But I’m always too busy to plan something that big, and now Ireallyhave no idea where I would find the time.”
“V,” Carolyn blurts, “you’re kidding, right?”
“This is why you hiredme.” Charlie leans forward in her seat. Maybe it’s lingering excitement from the podcast, the feeling of success that comes from taking a risk and having it pay off, but a surge of adrenaline pulses through her. Maybe it’s just the feeling of knowing a good idea when she hears one. “Let’s plan it.”
She’s always wanted to plan a Safe Sex Fair for Archwood, sponsored by the Peer Health Advocacy Group. What if that were possible, but it were here at the clinic instead? What if it became an annual event that raised enough money to keep The Wild Rue open for years to come?
Victoria shakes her head. “Charlie, no. You’ve done so much already. It’s because of you that I feel likemaybewe’ll be okay. It’s because of you that I feel I’m standing on solid ground for the first time in months.”
“But we need it to last, right? We can plan this fundraiser and make it an annual event.” Charlie glances at Carolyn, who’s already standing at the whiteboard, jotting down ideas. “Do you think Vibes would be willing to do a workshop? Or set up a booth to sell their products?”
“I haven’t even talked to them yet about what they want to do for the video series,” Victoria says, frowning as she watches Carolyn’s list grow longer. “Would people even come?”
“You saw the crowd tonight,” Charlie says. “If you do even one more episode with Theo, people will come.”
“We could have your friend do another panel about STIs,” Charlie adds, and Carolyn writes it down. Her list includes words liketesting,birth control,vibrators,prizes. “There’s a whole slew of topics we could have panels about—how to choose a form of birth control that works for you, how to navigate sticky sexual situations and consent, when to get tested, if PrEP is right for you…” Charlie grins at Victoria, who still looks uncertain. “Peoplewantto know this stuff, but they don’t know where to go for accurate information. They want to know how to stay safe and healthy while enjoying active sex lives.”
“We could get a drag queen to emcee!” Carolyn exclaims. “And have a raffle!”
Charlie laughs, pointing a finger at her. “Exactly.” Charlie loves working with Carolyn. Her enthusiasm for event planning makes even the most boring tasks exciting.
Victoria looks between Carolyn and Charlie’s eager faces, her expression more bemused than uncertain. “If we were to do it,” she says slowly, “when would we have it?”
“Before the deadline in May,” Charlie says.
“Mid-April at the latest,” Carolyn agrees.
Victoria frowns. “That doesn’t give us a lot of time for an event this big.”
“Leave that to us, V,” Carolyn says with a wink.
Charlie shoots her boss what she hopes is a reassuring smile, adrenaline from the excitement of planning an event like this blooming through her entire body. “Need I remind you again that you took a chance on me? Let me do this for you so The Wild Rue can keep doing good in the world.”
Victoria’s features soften. “What should we call it?”
“Come Fest!” Carolyn whoops.
