Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 71275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
I set the book down on the table. “Yes. Okay,” I replied, making my way to the doorway to meet her.
She touched my arm gently. “Are you okay?”
Just the slightest bit of affection had me wanting to burst into tears and wail like a baby. I swallowed it down though and fought against the emotion clawing at my throat.
“I’m fine,” I assured her. “Emotional book.”
My lie didn’t work. I could see it in her all-too-knowing eyes. But she didn’t call me out on it. Instead, she gave me a nod and turned to lead me to the back staircase that I knew went down to the basement, where there was a complete doctor’s office set up for the Mafia’s private doctor who made house visits.
When we reached the bottom of the stairs, Dr. Drew was standing in the middle of the now-familiar white room and sterile-looking environment. He was texting something on his phone when he glanced up and smiled at me.
“Good afternoon,” he said brightly, tucking his phone into his coat pocket. “You look even better than the last time I saw you. I see they are taking good care of you.”
“Yes,” I agreed.
“I never doubted otherwise. When Maeme takes someone under her wing, then they always flourish,” he said, nodding his head at her in appreciation.
“I can’t take the credit this time. King had more to do with it than I did. He doesn’t let anyone get too close to her these days.”
Dr. Drew’s eyes widened in surprise. “Well, that’s a turn of events.”
I smiled, feeling my face heat up.
“All right, this should be routine for you. Since I’m not the OB/GYN you regularly saw and I don’t know your history, I need to do an examination. Just to make sure all is well. Then, we will move forward with your shot. When was your last Pap smear?”
Oh God. Not that. I hadn’t been told I was having a gyno checkup. Dread sank over me. “Right before I got married, so … ” I paused to count the time since my wedding to Hill. “Uh, seventeen months now.”
“You are definitely due for one of those too. Let’s start with the urine sample,” he said. “This way.” He headed for the room opposite the one I had been in before to have X-rays of my ribs done.
“I’ll wait out here,” Maeme said. “Unless you’d prefer me in there.”
The less people who had to see my vagina, the better.
“No. It’s fine.”
Dr. Drew handed me a collection cup with the cleansing cloth packet. “Bathroom is that door right down there to the left.”
I tried to think about King and this morning to get my mind off the exam. Thankfully, I had drunk enough water this morning that peeing on cue wasn’t a problem. Walking my collection of urine back into the exam room wasn’t enjoyable, but it had to be done. I needed that shot. King hadn’t used a condom with me in weeks. Since the second day we’d started having sex, to be exact.
Dr. Drew took the cup and went over to his workstation and put the strips in it before turning back to me. “I’ve got you a gown laid out. Slip off your clothes and get it on. I’ll be back shortly.”
Once he closed the door behind him, I began undressing. I’d be done soon and back in the library. Free from examinations for another year. The positive spin was, I didn’t have to leave the house to go have it done. I tried to focus on that while I changed into my gown and sat down on the exam table.
“Are you ready?” Dr. Drew called through the door.
I adjusted the gown to make sure all my parts were covered. Not that it mattered really since he’d be looking between my legs soon.
“Yes,” I replied.
I took a deep breath as he walked back into the room. This was not a big deal. I was a grown woman. I was being silly. I forced a smile as he walked over to my urine sample.
The silence in the room felt awkward, so I tried to think of something to say just to make myself feel better. But what did one say to a man currently studying your pee? Dropping my gaze to my hands clasped in my lap, I decided to wait and let him speak first.
He cleared his throat, and I glanced up to see him turn around with both his hands stuck in the pockets of his slacks. When his eyes met mine, there was a serious expression on his face. I stilled.
What had my urine told him? He wasn’t easing my nerves over the exam he had to do. Where was his smile? Wasn’t he supposed to be making me feel better about this?
He glanced back at the door, then walked over to it and closed it softly. Perhaps he felt weird about having to give me a Pap smear. He’d be up close and personal with my lady bits. Maybe I should have had Maeme come in here. I could still ask.