Page 54 of Judas

"I thought we could discuss treatment for a moment," Eliza replied.

Dr. Dupree nodded, "Of course. Tell me, what brings you to see me today."

Eliza's heart thundered in her chest, "I was given your name by Paul Arthur."

She watched as the doctor's face became stone. She slowly closed Eliza's fake chart and took out a notepad. She scribbled quickly across its front page as she spoke.

"I don't do that here," she pulled the paper loose from the pad. "You'll have to come to this address. I have an opening tonight at ten."

Dr. Dupree handed the note to Eliza and stood to leave. Eliza read the address but still had more questions.

"Excuse me?" she said in her most innocent voice. "I don't understand. He told me to see you here."

The doctor turned back, "Yes…to make first contact. But, I can't do the procedure you're needing in this office. He knows that and he should have explained it to you." Dr. Dupree paused, "If I could offer you some friendly advice? Stay away from men like him. They aren't going to marry you and you're not going to have a lifetime of security and cotillions."

Eliza looked at the note in her hand again. What was she saying? Why would she think that she was promised anything? Immediate understanding fell over her like a bucket of ice water but it wasn't cold enough to contain the rage that was beginning to simmer in her core. It was all starting to make sense. Eliza jumped from her seat, pushing her way to the door of the small exam room to block the doctor's exit.

"Miss, meet me there at ten o'clock—"

"I have one more question," Eliza cut her off.

Dr. Dupree's eyes flared, "I will answer your questions later tonight."

"No. You'll answer them now…or I leave this office and tell the front desk and the medical board what you're doing," Eliza snapped boldly.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" the doctor's jaw set.

"Eliza Arthur. Paul Arthur'sdaughter," narrowing her glare on the doctor, Eliza watched her take a stumbling step backward.Dr. Dupree raised her hands defensively as if Eliza was getting ready to strike.

"I'm sorry…I didn't know he'd…he'd," the woman gagged. "Oh my God…that's disgusting."

Eliza's face wrinkled in disbelief, "What are you—no! No, I'm not pregnant."

She watched the relief sweep the doctor's face.

"I want to know about this arraignment you have with my dad, though," she ordered.

The doctor shook her head, "I can't. I can't do that…this…this is healthcare. No matter what they say."

"Yes, you will. Or I will make good on my promise, whether I agree with what you're doing or not," growling through clenched teeth, Eliza pointed to the doctor's shoes. "Or are you more worried about losing your meal ticket?” She whistled through her clenched teeth, “Those Louboutin's must have cost a fortune."

Tears welled in Dr. Abigail Dupree's eyes. Both she and Eliza knew this was the end of the road and it didn't matter if they could have been on the same side at one time. Right now, Eliza held all the cards and that hand was a Royal Flush.

"I met Paul years ago. We ran in the same circles and he knew I worked in women's health. He had a girlfriend at the time and he said they made a mistake and needed my help…if I could get her in, he'd pay for the privilege. That's when abortions were legal here," tears streaked down the doctor's aged face, making trails in her foundation. "When this backward ass state followed the Supreme Court, they threw us back to the dark ages."

Dr. Dupree pointed at the note in Eliza's hand, "I had to start doing them in my home. I have a clean room…all the equipment. I make sure all the girls are safe. Believe me, your father isn’t my only client. "

Eliza's heart sank. Abigail Dupree was a woman old enough to have seen the birth of women's healthcare rights and their subsequent death. She really believed what she was doing was right, and Eliza couldn't disagree. It was a tragedy that while men could make any decision under the sun in regard to their own bodies, the other half of society wasn't given the same rights. It made her furious.

“Don’t you see?” Dr. Dupree pleaded. “It’s not about the money…if I stop, where will these girls go when they’re in trouble? What makes me angry is that the more money someone has, the bigger the promises they’re told.”

Eliza patted the doctor on the shoulder, "I'm not here to out you. Your secret is safe with me. But, do me a favor?"

"Sure. If I can," Dr. Dupree dabbed her eyes with a tissue.

"If another woman comes in here saying my Dad sent her…call me," handing the doctor one of her business cards, she nodded. "I'm also tired of wealthy men getting away with what they please."

"I can do that."

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