Page 126 of Beneath the Blue Moon
“Okay, I guess.When can I go home?”
“I can discharge you today if you like.”
“Please.”
“There are some things I need to speak to you aboutconcerning your recovery.”
He glances nervously at Ethan.At this point, I don’t carewho hears; he can announce it over the P.A.system if he wants to.Ethan movescloser, taking my hand and making it clear he’s not leaving.
I nod to the doctor.“Go ahead.”
“Well, the bleeding should last maybe another week and then you’llhave some spotting after that.If it lasts longer, then you come back and seeme.If you’re bleeding too much, say more than one pad per hour, come in rightaway.That’s a sign of hemorrhaging.”
“Okay.”
“You may experience lower abdominal pain and breastdiscomfort, but that should also stop within a week.Your regular period shouldresume within three to six weeks.”
Three to six weeks… and then it will be as if they neverexisted.“Is that it?”
“There’s still the matter of infection.I’m prescribing yousome antibiotics.It’s important that you take them all, even if you feelbetter.”
I nod.
“Also, stay away from tampons until your regular periodreturns.No swimming pools, hot tubs, or baths—take showers.No douching and nosexual intercourse.”
You don’t have to worry about that last one, Doc.
He glances at Ethan then returns his attention to me.“Thatis, until the bleeding stops,” he continues.“It depends on you and how youfeel, but I would recommend waiting until you’ve had at least one normalperiod.”
“Anything else?”
“Just take it easy, rest.Give your body time to heal.”
“I will.”
He nods and reaches into his coat pocket, pulling out asmall card.
“This is the number for Dr.Emily Shorter.She’s a therapistwho has experience dealing with… loss.I recommend you give her a call, set upan appointment.”
A shrink?How the fuck is a shrink going to help me?“Unlessshe can bring Daddy and my babies back, I don’t see what good it would do.”
He looks over at Ethan, who takes the card from him.“Thankyou, Doctor.”
Dr.Jameson nods and turns back to me.“I’ll take care ofyour discharge.”
After he leaves, Ethan looks down at the card in his hand.
“Maybe we should see her,” he suggests.
“I don’t need a shrink.”
“Together.”
Together?Why would he need therapy?
“Casey, I may not have carried them inside me, didn’t evenknow about them, but I lost them, too.They were a part of me… and it hurtslike hell.”
He’s right.Those babies wereours.Now they’re gone.Maybe I don’t need to be such a bitch.
