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Ally had been pleased with the article. Laurel had done a wonderful job of describing her grandfather and his efforts, and of singing Ally’s praises, as well. She hoped it would help bolster her reputation in town. But even though Laurel had made it clear that Ally didn’t see patients, she feared it would increase the incidence of people coming to her for help. Apparently, she’d been right about that.
“You know what? I think I’ll go, uh…wash my hands?” Tag stood, and Ally loved him for the obviously contrived gesture.
“Listen, Kyla,” Ally said when Tag was out of earshot. “You need to see a doctor right away. Forget about the cranberry juice for now. You need an antibiotic. UTIs can be very serious if left untreated. Sometimes it can feel very similar to a kidney infection, so you need a test to be sure.”
“But I don’t…”
“It’s a simple urine test.”
“I know. It’s not that. I don’t want my parents to know.”
“Oh. How old are you?”
“Eighteen. I’m a senior.”
“Well, that’s easy. They don’t have to know.”
“But I still live with them. At least until I go to college this fall…”
“That doesn’t matter. By law, your medical care is private. You don’t even have to tell them you saw a doctor.”
“Right.” A frustrated scoff followed. “I don’t think I can see a doctor without my parents knowing. Not in this town. Maybe in Glacier City.”
“I have an idea. Wait here a sec, okay?”
Ally stood, walked into the hall and called Flynn, who she knew was working at his grandfather’s office that day. A brief explanation and he offered to see the teen as soon as she could get there.
Back at the table, she said, “Okay, you’re all set. Dr. Ramsey is going to see you.”
“Doc?” Kyla squeaked, eyes wide with panic. “But he knows my dad.”
“This is Doc Ramsey’s grandson, Dr. Flynn Ramsey. Same office, but Doc is retiring and the younger Dr. Ramsey is taking over.”
“I’m scared. What if he tells them?”
“Kyla, it’s against the law for any doctor to disclose your medical records to anyone without your permission. Neither Doc nor Dr. Ramsey would ever tell your parents without your consent.”
“Ohh…” Head shaking, she said, “Last time I had one, the doctor told my dad. This is super embarrassing… My dad went ballistic because he thought it meant my boyfriend and I were having sex. We weren’t. We’re not, I swear. But the doctor made it sound like it was probably why I got it. So now I’m afraid to say anything because of what my dad will think.” Tears pooled in her eyes. “But I’m in so much pain I can barely even breathe. I don’t know what to do…”
“Under the circumstances, your fear is perfectly valid,” Ally said calmly, even as a hot flash of anger bolted through her, directed at both the doctor and the dad. “There are a lot of reasons why women get them.”
“I know. I’ve googled it. But it was the way he said it. You know what I mean? He has this way of talking…” She trailed off with a shake of her head. “It was all my dad heard. I cannot wait to get out of this town.”
“And you were eighteen at the time of that appointment, too?”
“Yeah, I turned eighteen in January, and this was right before spring break.”
“Kyla, I promise you, Dr. Ramsey will keep this between you and him, okay? That’s what doctors are supposed to do. I’m sure you’ve heard the term doctor-patient confidentiality?”
Kyla nodded, looking scared and hopeful at the same time.
“That confidential part is the law. When you reach the age of eighteen, it is illegal for doctors to discuss your medical issues with anyone but you unless you give them consent. That doctor could get in huge trouble for what he did. Now get going. Dr. Ramsey the Younger is expecting you.”
Kyla stood and gave her a quick hug. “Thank you so much. Gareth is so…cool. He said you would help me. I’m sorry again to bother you in the middle of your lunch.”
