Page 61 of Hunted: Season Two

Did her modeling gig get cancelled too soon?

“Miss Ripley?”

There’s no hesitation to nod.

“I’m Dr. Garcia,” she warmly states at the same time she extends an open palm at me, “but you can call me Dr. G.” Her perfect pout lips curl upward. “Dr. Garcia is my dad.” A playful sneer is offered afterward. “And my abuelo.”

“A family of doctors?” Crossing one leg over the other occurs on a small snicker. “How’d your brother luck out?”

“He made an interesting case againstnotbeing one when we were kid’s which led him to where he is now.” This time we giggle together. “Besides, Vic is a little squeamish when it comes to thereallygross stuff.”

Certainlynotthe impression I gathered.

“The guy can barely hold it together whenabuelamakesmenudofrom scratch.”

“Why? What’s inmenudo?”

“Beef tripe.”

“Is that like atricepof a cow? Do cows even have triceps?”

“It’s stomach lining.”

Dry heaving motions occur without a second thought.

“Yeah, the shit’s not for everyone, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say ourabuela’s menudocould turn the biggest nonbeliever into the most devout follower two spoonfuls in.”

Another round of light giggles leaves me.

“Now, he didn’t tell memuch, but he told meenough.” She scans her keycard to be given access to her computer. “Today, you’ll be receiving a full physical – free of charge per training hospital rules – as well as a full bloodwork panel and a full body scan – although considering whatmightbe in your body, we may be exploring that in a less traditional fashion. Please, be aware that the cost of the other procedures has already been completely covered.”

“But-”

“Nope,” Dr. G effortlessly denies. “Covered is covered. And that’s all I will be say regarding it.”

Why do I get the feeling Garcia is responsible for that?

And why do I feel like he’s not the only one good at arguing in their family?

“Let’s pull up your chart and touch base on a few things,” she insists in tandem with completing the action. “Nothing in family history…” Scrolling casually begins. “Nothing in known procedures…” More mouse movement. “No known allergies…” All of a sudden, she hums and turns her attention to me. “Looks like Minnie forgot to mark the dates of your last menstrual cycle. Can you recall when it was?”

“Sure. It was-” the abrupt midsentence stopping is accompanied by me leaning back in my chair.

When was it?

Was itthatlong ago?

It doesn’t feel that way.

Then again with everything that’s been happening lately time has sort of began to blur together.

“Can’t remember?” Dr. G sweetly investigates.

“Um…actually…I can’t.”

“Not exactly surprised considering the intensity and trauma of your situation – which we will dive just asmidgeninto for medical reasons only – however, perhaps we can gather an approximate date? How are your cycles typically? Steady? Monthly? Little longer? Little shorter? Abnormal?”

“Monthly,” is airily exclaimed. “They’ve…always…been…monthly.”

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