For a second, the smallest second, I thought she was going to tell me she was pregnant. The blossom of fear that unleashed in my gut was nearly overwhelming. I could see dots in my vision and my mouth went dry.
It wasn’t possible. We’d used protection.
It wasn’t possible. A woman couldn’t know she was pregnant after two days.
It wasn’t possible because it would kill me.
“I think you gave me an STD,” she whispered, and pointed to my lap.
I had to blink a few times before rational thought returned. Pushing back against the fear, I considered what she said.
“An STD?” I repeated.
“Yeah, you know, Sexually Transmitted Disease.”
“I’m aware of the acronym. I’m asking why you think I gave you one. Which I didn’t, because I’m clean. I haven’t had sex in years. I told you that. I wasn’t lying.”
She glanced around as if to check if the coast was clear, when she knew we were the only two people in the office.
“Because this morning, it burned when I peed, okay? And there was…there was…blood,” she hissed.
Oh, shit. It was probably a UTI. Allison used to get them sometimes.
“I’ll make an appointment with a doctor,” I said.
“So, I’m right?” She looked panicked. “You despoiled me up.”
I glared at her. “I did notdespoilyou. And I don’t think you’re using that word correctly. . You most likely have a urinary tract infection, which I’m told can happen to women after sex. But I’m not a doctor, so we’ll make an appointment, go together and make sure.”
“You’re going to go with me?”
“I did this. Yes, I’m going to go with you. I know a practice that will get us in today.”
I didn’t want to see Allison’s doctor. I never wanted to see him again. But there was a woman in the practice. A Dr. Whitford. I would push some weight around and get Flowers in today.
“Okay?” I asked, picking up the phone.
She nodded.
Shit, I thought. She was upset. She was hurting.
“I don’t suppose there is any chance you can get my coffee while I make this call?”
Her eyes pinned me with the force of death lasers. “Blood in my pee.”
Right. That was a no.
THIRTY-FOUR
ANNA
She wanted to hold on to all of it. Every moment. Even the worst parts.
Dr. Whitford’s Office – OB/GYN
“Okay,Anna, so it does sound like a UTI. Which can happen as a result of dehydration or sometimes after sexual intercourse.”
“That one,” I announced. “We had sex. He had sex with me.”
