Page 20 of In the Air Tonight

Someone knocks on the door.

She goes to answer it.

“Your patient’s father is asking if everything is okay.”

“Tell him we need a few more minutes.”

“Will do.”

She closes the door and leans back against it. “If you’d like, I can run a pregnancy test, so we’d know for sure one way or the other.”

“What does that involve?”

“A urine sample.”

“Um, okay. I guess so.”

“Take a minute and then meet me in my office across the hall. I’ll have everything ready for you.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“If I’m pregnant, do I have to discontinue my medication?”

“No, we don’t recommend that.”

“Oh, good. Okay.”

“I’ll be right across the hall.”

After she leaves the room, I go to the sink and splash some cold water on my face. Then I take two full minutes to breathe before I open the door and cross the hall to her office.

“Do you know how to do a urine sample?”

I nod. “I had bladder infections when I was younger.”

She hands me the antiseptic wipe and the container. “The rest room is two doors down on the left. I’ll wait for you here.”

The possibility that I could be pregnant is too big to consider.

What if Kane doesn’t believe I was raped and thinks I cheated on him? How will I ever tell him about any of this? Will he still love me when he finds out? The possibility that he won’t is more than I can handle. He’s been my rock and very best friend through everything for the last four years. Even with an ocean between us, we’re still best friends.

I love him.

I cannot lose him.

Tears slide down my cheeks as I go through the motions of providing the sample.

I wash my hands and gasp at my ravaged reflection in the mirror.

My dad will know something terrible has happened.

One thing at a time, Neisy.

I deliver the sample to the doctor.

“Have a seat. I’ll be right back.”