Page 7 of Capitally Unexpected

“Lewis!” My name being called from the door leading to the exam rooms saves me from considering if I’m the best woman for this job—motherhood.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come back with you?” While Jax insisted on coming to the appointment, she is respecting me not wanting anyone in the exam room with me. I have to admit, knowing she’s here helps more than I can put into words.

“No, I’m gonna be alone for a lot of these appointments, so let’s start now,” I say, hefting my bag with my notebook full of questions for the doctor onto my shoulder.

“Go team!” Jax yells from her seat, and I turn around to see her encouraging smile. Taking a deep breath, I walk past the pink-scrubbed nurse holding the door open.

“Stop here so we can get your height and weight.” She’s all business, pointing to where I can set my bag. I step up on the scale. As she moves the sliders around, I make a mental note toadd setting up more frequent appointments with my therapist to the list. I’ve come to terms that I need to stand up for myself when it comes to doctors and my weight. Even so, watching the numbers slowly creep up, should this pregnancy move forward, is something I’ll want support handling.

The numbers are recorded in my chart, and I follow her to a white room with an exam table, some machines with screens, and a couple of chairs near a desk. The nurse indicates I should sit in a chair first.

She goes over the health history information I provided at digital check-in. “And the first day of your last period was?” I give her the date from my Health app. She nods as she types it into the computer. “And you’ve gotten a positive result on a home pregnancy test?”

“About twelve of them,” I say, noticing she’s trying to hold back a smile. “I know, I know,” I continue. “I wanted to be ... sure.”

She nods. “All right, the doctor will be in shortly. One more thing, I see there’s no partner’s name in the file?”

I’ve been dreading this part. “That’s correct. It wasn’t immaculate conception, but the partner won’t be in the picture.” She keeps a professional straight face, but I pick out pity in her eyes. I wonder how often she sees a woman coming in here alone.

“Well, you’re seeing Dr. Barber today—she’s a great one for your first visit.” Her voice projects compassion and kindness, the businesslike tone from earlier gone.

“Thank you so much ... I’m so sorry. I’m sure you told me your name, but it didn’t stick.” She smiles, a genuine smile that comes from someone noticing you.

“I’m Christina,” she says.

“Michelle,” I say, indicating myself. “I think you’ll be seeing a lot of me.”

She laughs. “I think you might be right.”

She slips out of the room and leaves me to my thoughts. Pretty much the last place I want to be these days. It’s why mylist of questions is so long. If I’m researching or learning something, then I’m not spinning out, worrying if I can do this. If Iwantto do this.

I dig in my bag for a pencil. Not finding one, I decide to snoop to see if there’s one I can borrow. Not spotting anything on top of the desk and still left to my own devices, I decide to try the drawer. It’s stuck, damn it. I give it one more yank, pulling it right off its track, and about a dozen speculums spill all over the floor right as the door opens and Dr. Barber, I assume, walks in.

“Hi,” I say, holding the drawer in my right hand, positive my skin is flushing.

“Eager to get started? I’m Dr. Barber.” The woman, who’s not much older than me walks the rest of the way into the room and crouches down with me to start picking up the metal pieces from the floor.

“I’m so sorry. I forgot to put a pen in my bag and thought maybe there’d be one in the desk and ...”

She puts a hand on my arm, a kind smile on her face. “It’s okay. This is nowhere near the weirdest thing I’ve walked into in a patient room.”

“Well, fuck HIPAA, because that’s a story I’d love to hear,” I say as I sit back in my chair.

“It’s one I would love to tell you, but even without my confidentiality requirements, you work in a news station. I’m not sure you would be a good confidant.” My eyebrows shoot up, surprised she recognizes me.

“I’ve been watching KUSN for years and was thrilled when they hired a female meteorologist. And one who knows her science and isn’t afraid to show it? Well, you’re a weather woman after this scientist’s heart.”

“Wow, I’m just so surprised you recognized me. It hasn’t happened a ton yet. I haven’t been there very long. Of course, the first time it happens ...”

“Is when you’re meeting the woman who’s very shortly goingto get between your legs.” She winks, somehow knowing the perfect bedside manner to match my vibes in a few short moments. And for the first time since I peed on that stick in CVS, I can see a path forward. I only need to be willing to grab it. Dr. Barber, angel sent from heaven, is here to help guide me.

“All right, let’s get down to it. The test from the urine sample you provided when you arrived came back positive, as expected. You are pregnant.”

All the air leaves my body, the momentary calm fleeing like I’m a whoopee cushion and Dr. Barber sat right on me.

“I see you’re in the room on your own. Will anyone be joining you for future appointments?”

“My friend Jax is out in the waiting room, but no. I very much expect to be in this room on my own.”

---