Page 90 of The Genius
“What kind of accidents?”
“Oh, there’s a long list of hunting accidents that involves falling from great heights and getting shot. Many are active outside and think they’re immortals; last week I had a patient who died because he insisted on rock climbing without the right safety gear.”
“Are the two minutes up yet?” Marco asked with impatience.
Robert turned to the test, lowering his head to see.
“Accidents related to sports, you say?” I said in a desperate attempt to prolong the time before the doctor could give the answer that I was afraid of getting. “What else?”
“Oh, you know. Suicide happens too often up here. The dark winters are the worst.”
“Just tell me what the test says!” Marco exclaimed, his voice high-pitched.
“Be patient, Marco.” Robert waited the five seconds until the timer made a sound and then he picked up the test. “Congratulations, it’s positive.”
My whole body stiffened, the world going into slow motion and my eyes fixed on Marco.
“You sure?” he asked the doctor and looked like he wasn’t breathing.
“Yes, you’re going to be a father.”
“Are youcompletelysure?” Marco asked.
“These tests are very accurate. Of course, we should still do a blood test and an exam but yes, Marco, I feel confident that your wife is pregnant like you suspected.”
“Fuuuck.” Marco leaned his head back, looking up at the ceiling before his eyes closed.
Robert laughed. “I know it’s a huge thing. I can’t wait for it to be my turn. My wife and I have been trying for almost a year now.” The doctor was patting Marco’s shoulder. “You’re a lucky man.”
Marco nodded and the doctor turned to me. “Congratulations to you too of course. It’s must be so exciting.”
My eyes were tearing up, and I whispered a low “I’m sorry” to Marco but the doctor misunderstood.
“There’s no need to apologize for being emotional. I know we Nmen have a reputation of being tough, but I suspect I might tear up a bit myself when it’s my time to get great news like this.”
After doing a blood test and promising us an answer the next day, the doctor again offered to do a pelvic examination on me. He looked deeply disappointed when I told him I’d get one in the Motherlands on my next visit.
“Are you sure? I’ve studied the female anatomy very carefully and it really would be a great honor to perform my first pelvic examination.”
“What exactly is a pelvic examination?” Marco asked.
When I explained he narrowed his eyes at Robert.
“Maybe some other time,” I said with a forced smile to the doctor as we walked out the door that Robert was holding open for us.
“Just let me know. And again, congratulations to you both on the good news. Now you can go home and talk about what to name your baby.”
CHAPTER 20
Alternative Ways
Marco
Everything had changed within the last twenty-four hours.
I was supposed to be fighting for Louisa today. And chances were that she would have picked me and we would have been starting a family together.
Instead, I’d already started one with Shelly.
