Page 2 of Halo

“When was your last period—?”

“Listen, Jon, something happened while we were … um—” he clears his throat—“you know, and now she’s in excruciating pain and bleeding. This has nothing to do with her time of the month.”

Dr. Ramsdale stares at my husband for a beat, “Is this your first time together?”

“Oh no.” My husband chuckles. “No, no, no. We’ve been married for eight years. We can barely keep our hands off of each other.”

I close my eyes, cringing at how cavalier he is about our sex life.

The ER physician gives a curt nod, his eyes shifting to the bandage wrapped around my husband’s arm. “What happened here? Did this happen tonight, too?”

“Ah, yeah. Total accident, but I’m fine.”

Dr. Ramsdale stares at us for a beat before pulling out his phone. “Tell you what: let me grab one of our other nurses who specializes in women’s health.”

“Oh, Ramsdale, you don’t have to—”

“No, no. I insist.” He flashes me a kind smile. “This seems to be more of a … delicate problem, and I think your wife might be more comfortable with a female provider. She’s one of the best here and a personal friend of mine.”

Relief trickles through my veins at the mention of bringing a woman into the room. It has nothing to do with the doctor’s capability, but a gentle voice and touch will help me relax.

“I’ll be able to stay here with her, right?”

“For part of it. If she wants.”

“Wait … what are y’all going to do?” My husband’s eyebrows furrow. “She needs me. She can barely speak.”

I slip my hand into his automatically, my wedding band suddenly heavy like shackles. I give him a quick squeeze, his gaze meeting mine with a silent, desperate plea.

“I’ll be fine,” I croak with a whisper, feigning another pleasant grin.

“She’s in good hands,” Dr. Ramsdale reassures. “We’ll take good care of her.”

My husband glances around the room, his jaw ticking.

“Actually …” The ER nurse opens the door. “I need some coffee. Let’s get you one, too, sir.”

Letting go of my hand, my husband follows the nurse out of the room.

Before the door can close, an older, petite woman with short braids peeks into the room. “Dr. Ramsdale? You needed to see me?”

“Mrs. Wanda …” Dr. Ramsdale steps aside to let her into the room before quietly shutting the door. “This is Leah Harrison.”

The new nurse offers me a gentle smile as she crosses the room, a tackle box-like case swinging lightly from one hand. She sets it on the counter before coming to my bedside. “It’s nice to meet you. Would you like for me to call you Mrs. Harrison or—”

“Leah,” I interrupt, my cheeks instantly warming. “I’m sorry, Leah is just fine.”

“Leah,” she says warmly. “Your doctor asked me to come help out a little tonight. I hope that’s okay.”

I nod. “Yes. Of course.”

“He mentioned you were having quite a bit of pain and bleeding after intercourse.” She pauses, carefully choosing her words. “He also mentioned that you’re fairly frightened and there might be a little tension between you and your husband.”

“Oh, I-I’m okay.” I wince, catching my breath. “Things got a little carried away, that’s all. He didn’t mean to hurt me.”

She listens intently, but I can tell she doesn’t believe me.

I don’t believe my lies either.