Dr.Pickway folds her hands on the desk.“Today’s session is meant to prepare you both for what comes next.The test has been expedited, so we should have results within a few days.”
A few days.My jaw tightens.It feels like a countdown I didn’t agree to.
Daniela nods once, but she keeps twisting her fingers.
“Before we get into the science,” Dr.Pickway continues, “can you tell me what prompted you to pursue testing now?”
Daniela swallows.“My father told me I carried the gene.”Her voice is so soft I barely catch it.“But I don’t know if that was true.He lied about…a lot of things.”
I reach over and still her hands with mine.I want to take all of it for her.
Dr.Pickway leans forward.“It’s not uncommon for family members to pass along misinformation—sometimes intentionally, sometimes out of fear or misunderstanding.What matters is that now we’ll know for sure.”
Know for sure.
The words hit me like a blow.
“So,” I ask, keeping my voice steady, “what should we expect while we wait?”
“The waiting is often the hardest part,” she says.“You may experience anxiety, mood swings, irritability, trouble sleeping.Sometimes couples feel distant from each other, or overly dependent.There’s no ‘right’ way to react.”
Daniela shakes her head.“I’m not worried about me.I’m worried about what this means for him.”She nods toward me.
I feel my chest crack open.“Dani,” I murmur, “I’m fine.”
“You’re not,” she says quietly.“I saw your face when the phlebotomist took the blood.You looked like someone ripped your heart out.”
Dr.Pickway glances between us.“It’s normal for partners to experience distress.Huntington’s carries a lot of weight.It’s hereditary, progressive, and there’s no cure.It can change life plans.Family planning.Long-term commitments.”
Daniela flinches.
I tighten my grip on her hands.“We’re not changing anything.”
She looks up at me, her eyes wide and glassy.“You don’t know that.”
“I do.”
Dr.Pickway clears her throat.“These are exactly the conversations we’ll have today.Not to scare you, just to make sure you’re informed.No matter what the results are, people live meaningful lives with this gene.Some carry it and never show symptoms.Others plan ahead with medical, legal, and emotional support.”
Daniela’s breathing shifts.She’s trying to hold it together, and it’s killing me to watch.
“I need to ask,” the counselor says gently.“Has anyone else in your family been tested?”
“My father…” Daniela closes her eyes.“He didn’t test.He just…said things.Threatened things.”
That old familiar rage twists in my stomach.
“And your mother?”Dr.Pickway asks.
“She died when I was young.I don’t know anything about her medical history.”
The counselor nods, scribbling something.“That’s common too.Many people come in without clear family records.Today we’ll talk about what a positive result means, what a negative one means, and everything in between.This is not a sentence.It’s information.”
Information.
Except it feels like fate is sitting in Dani’s blood on a lab counter somewhere.
Dr.Pickway continues, “Some people prepare for all outcomes.Some prefer not to think ahead until results are in.Where do you two fall?”
