The Change Up

Grab Life by the Horns

Jo’s POV:
The sound of my biological clock ticking was growing louder and louder with each passing day, sounding more like a train horn lately than a ticking clock. Most days I imagined that people walking by me could hear the tick-tock from inside me asking themselves what I was waiting on, why I wasn't a mother yet. It wasn't like I was old by any means. I was 34 for crying out loud, still a long damn way from needing a walking cane or rocking chairs. But even I knew that my window of having a healthy pregnancy was closing -and fast. 

It didn't help that everyone around me was bringing babies into the world left and right. My cousin Amber and her husband had two kids that I loved dearly and spent as much time with as possible. Spending time with those two amazing kids had done a lot to quiet that ticking clock inside me for a while, but spending time with Barrett and Braylin wasn't cutting it any longer. And don't get me started on the never ending questions of when I was going to join the “Southern Mama Club”. With no future husband or even a serious boyfriend on the horizon, I was left with only one choice and it was one that my mama didn't agree with in the slightest. She thought things should be done the old fashioned way. But Mama’s opinion be damned, I knew it was time to take things into my own hands before time ran out. Which leads me to why I’m sitting in my doctor's office looking over pamphlets, preparing myself to ask the good doc about artificial insemination and how it works.

In my mind, I had this vision of people using  turkey basters and squirting themself full of someone's sperm, but there had to be a more scientific way to get the deed done right? People didn't just swing by the sperm bank to make a withdrawal of some random man's “special sauce” before heading to Walmart to pick up a turkey baster that they would later use on thanksgiving right? This was something that had to be done in a medical setting right?

The door to the exam room I was in swung open, startling me and bringing me back to reality. I watched as the young, very attractive doctor walked into the room. Out of pure habit, I checked his left hand to see if there was a ring on it and of course there was. All the good ones were always taken right?

“Hello Ms. Cochran. I’m Dr. Daniels.” said the doctor, extending his hand for me to shake. I took it, noticing how soft his hands felt. No calluses, no dirt under his nails. Which I guess that was a good thing considering he was about to have his hands in my hooha. Wouldn't want dirty hands playing around in my cervix. 

“Nice to meet you doc” I said, pushing my thoughts of turkey basters and dirty fingernails to the back of my mind. 

“Looks like you came in for a yearly exam” said Dr. Daniels, taking a seat on the rolling stool in front of me. 

“Yes sir.”I replied, years of manners being drilled into my head making me address the man who looked younger than me with ‘respect’ as my Mama always put it. 

“Before we get into that, do you have any questions? Any concerns?” asked Dr. Daniels. 

“Well, funny you should ask.” I said giggling nervously. Guess it was now or never. “How does artificial insemination work? At 34, I know that my window of having a healthy pregnancy is closing fast and well, since I don't have a boyfriend much less a husband, I'd say it's time for me to take matters into my own hands. Will shut my Mama up about me settling down and giving her grandkids, even if she doesn't agree with what I’m considering doing. Not that artificial insemination isn't a good choice. I am thankful that scientists found this method works. It's just that my mama is old school and believes that there is only one way for a woman to have a baby. Not that all women should ever strive to be is a mother but- oh shit! Total word vomit there doc. I’m shutting up now.” The doctor, bless his heart, sat though my word vomit but was unable to keep his eyes from crossing at my ramblings. Why was I like this?