Page 50 of Give Me a Shot

“Thanks for calling,” Jess said.

“Thanks for answering.”

Jess chuckled.

“Have a good evening,” she said.

“You too.”

Chapter Thirteen

Jess

Sitting on the examining table, Jess tugged at the sleeve of the uncomfortable paper gown. She hated going to doctors’ offices, hated answering questions, hated being essentially naked with a total stranger.

Does the room have to be this cold?

Shivering, she ran a hand down her arm to warm it and ended up bending the sleeve back in the annoying way it had been before. She was grumbling to herself, trying to flatten the sleeve again, when the door opened.

“Ms…. Anderson,” the doctor said as she stepped inside. “I understand you’re here for a physical.”

Jess nodded. She’d promised Alice and Stephanie to see someone about her stomach and her wrist. She might as well do a full workup while she was at it. At least then she wouldn’t have to come back for a good while.

“Yes,” she said after clearing her throat.

“Shall we get started?” the doctor asked, warming her hands.

—

As she began examining her, Jess answered the doctor’s basic questions, was silent while she was listening to her heart, and breathed deeply when required. As she hated the experience so much, Jess simply went on autopilot, dying for it to be finished. When the doctor asked her to lie back on the table and warnedher before palpating her stomach, Jess remembered her primary goal.

“I’ve been having some difficulty with pain lately,” Jess said.

“Mmm?” the doctor said. She pressed under Jess’s ribs, making her wince. “Ah. There?”

Jess nodded.

“My wrist, too.”

“Okay, we’ll get to that.” The doctor was very gentle, but Jess continued wincing as the sharp pains sliced through her at each touch. She knew there was no way she’d be able to eat lunch when she got home.

“Hmm,” the doctor said.

“Also my shoulder,” Jess said, once she’d stopped.

“I’ll check it as well,” the doctor said. “Everything seems to be in order with your stomach. Have you been having trouble eating?”

Jess nodded.

“I can give you something for that. Let’s take a look at your wrist and shoulder.”

—

Thirty minutes later, Jess returned to her car with a referral for a full blood workup and a prescription for an industrial-strength antacid. She was relieved that she’d been right that nothing was wrong with her joints, but the doctor’s comment about her pain was still bouncing around in her head.

“Your pain is rather…diffuse,” she’d said. “Have you had any big life changes lately?”

For a split second, Jess had hesitated. She’d almost told her about Cassie, but losing her sister couldn’t have anything to do with her body. Instead, she’d shrugged and mentioned finally starting her career and participating in a Ren Faire.

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