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Her cheek is pressed against my chest. “It’s been over six months, Declan. Something should have happened by now.”
“They say it can take up to a year,” I counter.
“Seventy-five percent of people who are trying to get pregnant do by six months.”
“Well, what happens by a year?”
“Ninety percent.”
“We aren’t there yet.”
She pulls away from me and walks across the room. After grabbing a tissue box, she plops down on the sofa.
She wipes her eyes and blows her nose and then says, “I’d like to get checked out.”
“Go to a doctor?”
She nods. “Both of us.” She pauses for a moment and then says, “Is that asking too much?”
I walk over and take her hand. “Of course not. Just tell me what I need to do, and I’ll be there.”
––––––––
We’re sitting in thedoctor’s office in chairs across from an empty desk. We’ve done all the tests a week ago and now it’s time to hear the results. Maggie has hardly spoken all morning. I grab her hand and squeeze it. “It’s going to be okay.”
She gives me a sad smile. She opens her mouth to say something when the door opens.
“Good morning, I’m Dr. Curtis.” The doctor extends her hand as she makes her way over to the desk. We both stand up and shake it. “Please take a seat.”
We settle back into our seats as she does the same behind the desk. She sorts through some papers for a moment and then says, “Let’s start with the good news.”
I hold my breath. This means there’s bad news too. I hope it’s not Maggie. I really, really hope the problem is me. I’ve always pictured myself having children someday, but if I can’t, I’ll survive. If Maggie can’t, it’s going to shatter her. I squeeze her hand.
The doctor turns to me. “Declan, your sperm looks great.”
Maggie drops my hand, and my stomach turns cold. I tune out most of what the doctor is saying – I'm healthy. I’m not the problem. Everything is just great with me – couldn't be better. Champion sperm. I’m trying to get a glimpse of Maggie out of the corner of my eye as the doctor speaks.
Finally, I turn to her. She’s not looking at me. Her face has gone pale. I wish I was still holding her hand. Whatever the doctor’s about to say isn’t going to be easy to hear.
“So, it’s me,” Maggie says, softly and my heart breaks a tiny bit.
“Yes,” Dr. Curtis says, gently.
Maggie presses her lips together in a hard line as the doctor continues. “You’re not ovulating regularly.”
“But, I have regular periods,” Maggie cuts in.
“I know – it's not that uncommon. It’s called anovulation.”
“Is it treatable?” Maggie asks.
“Some of it is lifestyle changes.”
Maggie wrinkles her brow. “Like what?”
“Maintaining a healthy weight – which you are. Managing stress levels. For some women, too much exercise can cause it. What do you do for exercise?”
“I run and lift weights. A little boxing. I don’t think it’s excessive.”
