The waiting room is more crowded than the previous times we’ve been here, and I lean back into the stroller and close my eyes so I won’t have to make eye contact with any of the other women waiting to see the doctor.
Luckily my Papis do not force me to interact. They don’t even make me get out of the stroller. That’s a relief, and we don’t have to wait too long for the receptionist to call us back to an exam room.
Crazy how I felt more unnerved in the waiting room than I do now that we’re in this confined space where the doctor willscrutinize every single aspect of my naked body. What an odd practice. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to not having at least a gown on in the clinic.
Kafran removes my diaper while we wait for the doctor, leaving me, once again, completely naked on the exam table. A few minutes later, Thabo enters. I remember him from my second visit a week ago.
He smiles warmly. It seems every Eleadian is kind and welcoming. They are the nicest beings in the universe. I don’t think I ever met a single human on Earth who was as caring as every single man on this planet.
“Hey there, Mercy. It looks like you’ve regained most of your strength.”
“Yes, Sir.”
He quickly goes through the preliminaries and then checks my muscle tone by having me push and pull against his fingers with my hands and legs.
He glances at my Papis. “I did extensive testing on her urine and blood last week. I don’t see a single issue with her kidney. We’ll check it once a year just to be sure no problems develop, but I see no reason why she shouldn’t live a full healthy life with the one kidney.”
“Thank you,” my Papis say at the same time, relief in their voices.
My body relaxes, too. After all, the news that I’m missing a kidney is as shocking to me as it is to them.
I don’t say much as Thabo continues to examine me, trying to ignore the invasiveness of his procedures. “Any particular concerns?”
“Only that she’s really struggling with body image,” Kafran says. “No matter how many times we tell her she’s perfect in every way, her mind is still telling her the opposite.”
Thabo sits on the stool in front of me, his head tipped back a few inches to meet my gaze. His hands settle on my knees. “It will take time to undo the damage done in her past, but she’ll get there. Abuse is difficult to overcome. Verbal abuse is sometimes worse than physical. Have you set up any play dates or taken her to the park yet?”
Skarg shakes his head. “We’re going to the park next.”
“Good. That will help her see that Little girls come in all sizes, shapes, and colors.”
I pout. “You don’t understand. You don’t have fat thighs and big boobs.” I know I’m not allowed to be so argumentative, but if ever I was going to push my case, now is the time. I think Thabo will be more understanding since I’m not his Little girl.
He smiles warmly. “First of all, you don’t have fat thighs or boobs that are too large either, Little one. That’s simply what you’ve been told. You will see other Little girls who have bigger breasts and thicker thighs as you meet more people. It’s not really about your size, though. It’s about accepting our culture of exposure. You wouldn’t be in nearly as big of a panic if you were clothed.”
“See?” I blurt out. “Why can’t I have clothes?” I shoot a glare at my Papis.
Thabo remains calm. “It’s not our custom, Little one. The weather on Eleadia makes clothing completely unnecessary. In addition, we don’t allow our mates to touch their nipples. I’m sure you already realize they are more sensitive than they were before you met your Papis. That’s part of the bonding process. You’ll be even more aware of them after you get them pierced.”
I continue to frown. I’m not looking forward to that part of my new life either. The thought makes me feel like I’m going to faint. I can’t fathom letting someone push a needle through my nipples. Then again, my Papis have pierced them with their quills. Will it be any different?
I shudder as I consider what it will be like to look down and see stones dangling from my tits. Unimaginable.
“Let me tell you something, Little one,” Thabo continues, “You’re not the first Little girl to express body issues. Not even the first one who thinks she’s overweight. Keep in mind that some Little girls suffer from exactly the opposite. Some girls are underweight when they first arrive. They’re just as self-conscious about people seeing their skinny bodies and horrified about exposing their small breasts. I’ve had this exact opposite conversation with a number of newly arrived mates, Mercy. Little girls who think their nipples are too tiny and their boobs too flat. They’re so embarrassed. When you meet someone with underdeveloped breasts, what will you say to them?”
I gasp. “I would never say a thing.”
“And you can rest assured they will not judge you for the size of your breasts either, Mercy.”
I sigh as I look away. His words are very kind, and they even make sense, but I’m still not convinced. He doesn’t understand how catty human women can be.
He gives my knees a squeeze before turning to my Papis. “Help her lie back.”
I don’t fight them as they stretch me out and restrain me. I’m growing used to it even though I don’t like it.
“Have you had intercourse yet?” Thabo asks while he palpates my stomach.
My face heats. These men have such frank discussions about sex. It’s so uncomfortable.
