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“I didn’t mind. I wanted to get a look at the house, honestly.”
I smile, trying to process this.
“I’ll need to examine you and ask you a few questions first, but it shouldn’t take too long. If you’re ready?”
I nod. “Anything you need.”
The exam takes about twenty minutes, and, in that time, he asks me questions about my cycle and explains how the shot works. I wish he were a woman, but if the end result will be reliable birth control, I’ll take it. He’s just preparing the injection when the bedroom door opens, and we both turn to find Santos standing in the doorway. He looks impeccable in a bespoke three-piece suit in deepest blue.
My heartbeat picks up and I feel my face begin to burn with guilt for what I did. Does he know? No. How could he? But his expression is dark, and I see the smile he puts on for the doctor is forced as he enters and closes the door behind him.
“Mr. Augustine, you have a lovely home.”
“Thank you, Dr. Fairweather. I appreciate you coming out on such short notice,” he says, the words forced.
“Like I told your wife, my reasons were not entirely unselfish.”
Santos smiles a tight smile.
“Well, I don’t want to intrude on your evening. And I’m almost finished here.” The doctor unwraps an alcohol swab and cleans the injection site. It’s hard to hold Santos’s gaze, so I look at the needle instead—which is not a great idea either, so I stare at the far wall. “I was just explaining to be on the safe side you’ll want to use contraception for the next week or so but after that, this should protect you for the next three months. I’ll leave a packet with more details, and you are always free to call my office. Ready?” he asks me.
I nod and wince when the needle penetrates, but then it’s over and he’s packing up his bag.
Someone knocks on the door, and Santos opens it. Val stands in the doorway.
“All done,” the doctor says, snapping his bag shut.
“Thank you, Doctor. Val will see you out.” Santos steps aside and extends his hand to shake the doctor’s, his message to leave clear and just this side of rude. I don’t think Santos cares much about being rude though.
They shake hands and after the doctor says goodbye to me, he’s gone.
I stand up, adjusting my blouse and buttoning the top buttons as Santos closes the door and turns to me. He shoves his hands into his pockets, nothing forced on his expression now. No smile. No softness. Just the look of a man who knows what I’ve done.
But that’s not possible. That’s just my own guilt, I tell myself.
“I didn’t realize you’d arranged for the shot,” I say, my throat dry.
“I must have forgotten to mention it with all that’s gone on.” He is quiet, gaze scrutinizing me. “You’re happy with it?”
I nod.
He momentarily lifts his lips into a smile that doesn’t go near his eyes. “Good.”
“Dinner smells good.”
“They told me you’d gone down for a snack.”
I clear my throat, glance at the open bathroom door and nod. “I’ll just wash my hands quickly.” I don’t move though, because the way he’s looking at me has me trapped. It’s not accusing. That would be easier to handle. It’s something else. Disappointment.
“You were busy today,” he says. He slides one hand out of his pocket, and my blood turns to ice when I see the small bent hairpin he’s holding. I must have dropped it in my haste.
I open my mouth to speak, to say what, I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter because it’s like I’ve swallowed sand.
There’s another knock on the door then. He doesn’t turn as it’s opened, but I watch Val enter, carrying that damned box.
“On the dresser, please,” Santos says, never taking his eyes off me.
Val does as he’s told and then he’s gone.
