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The petite redhead and Chelsea had gone to lunch together a few times. The more Chelsea got to know the nurse practitioner, the more she liked her and the more she knew Leslie was the perfect woman for her brother. She hated the thought of her not feeling well.
“Poor thing,” she commiserated. “Maybe she should go home.”
Chelsea would call Will and have him stop by to check on Leslie before coming home. Maybe the two could work through whatever was keeping them apart. Although her brother refused to talk about Leslie, Chelsea knew something was between them. And that something had driven them apart. She just hoped that something wasn’t her arrival.
“She won’t go.” Betty shook her head in a motherly fashion, despite the fact she had to be close to Chelsea’s and Leslie’s age. “She says the clinic is too busy for her to go lie around when she feels fine except for the nausea.”
Chelsea admired Leslie’s dedication and recalled many a time as a resident of working through whatever illness she’d happened to pick up from constant exposure.
“If she needs help with her afternoon patient load, be sure to let me know. I’ll help any way I can and don’t mind staying late if needed.”
Betty nodded. “Just taking some of Dr
Will’s patients will be enough, but I’ll tell her if she needs help to give you a holler.”
Chelsea entered the patient room and was surprised to see Hannah Belew sitting on the exam table. Betty must have been distracted by Leslie’s illness and Will being called to the emergency room or else she’d have forewarned her that the runaway patient had returned.
“I’m back,” the teenager announced, giving her a sheepish look. Hannah wore her hair pulled away from her face, revealing a tiny silver hoop through her left eyebrow that Chelsea didn’t think had been there during her last visit.
“I see that.” She acknowledged the girl’s presence, washed her hands, and sat on the stool. She didn’t want to blow this second chance to reach Hannah, not when she might possibly make a difference in her life. “What can I do for you today?”
“Not a pelvic,” the girl said quickly.
“That’s always your choice.”
“But…” her mouth twisted in thought “…I read the brochure you gave me, and I think I should get the vaccine.”
“The vaccine for HPV?”
“That’s the one. Can I take it in my arm or do I have to take it in my butt?”
“Hip,” Chelsea replied automatically.
“Hip, butt, same difference.”
Chelsea smiled. The fact Hannah had come back meant the first visit hadn’t been a total loss. Which meant she might have done something right.
“I want the shot.” Hannah pushed an escaped strand of dark hair away from her face. “My mom checked with our insurance and our plan covers immunizations.”
“You talked with your mom about this?” Chelsea was impressed.
“Well, it’s not like getting the shot means I’m sexually active since it’s recommended to have it before you have sex.” Hannah pointed out, clueing Chelsea in on what had been discussed and what hadn’t.
“Yes,” she agreed. “The idea behind the vaccine is to provide immunity prior to exposure.”
“I told my mom about the vaccine, and she agrees I should get it. She may bring my little sister in soon to discuss the vaccine, too.”
Chelsea entered the order for the immunization into the electronic chart, then gave a friendly smile. “Hannah, are you still with your boyfriend?”
“Yes.”
Which meant she was still sexually active.
“But you’re not interested in a pelvic exam?” she asked, just to make sure, to give Hannah the opportunity to change her mind or to ask questions.
“No.” The girl hesitated then continued. “But I am making Brett use condoms. I figure there isn’t a reason for me to go on the Pill, which means I don’t need a Pap smear or whatever it is you said I’d get.”
“A thin prep. It’s a liquid-based test for cervical abnormalities, including HPV,” Chelsea reminded her, pleased with Hannah’s choice to protect herself. “Condoms aren’t foolproof, but you’re wise to make him wear one because it does cut down on your risk of possible exposure.”
