I'd burnt myself millions of times while working, so this wasn't anything new. But, Mary insisted that I got it checked when it blistered in a near instant.
Cole drove me to the hospital when he'd seen me arguing with Mar about my burn. I'd been fine, just needed some cold water on it, and a glove and burn cream and I'd be as right as rain.
Once we finally got a doctor after waiting what felt like forever in that crowded little rural hospital, they decided I needed a proscription steroid cream that would help the healing process and bring down any chance of infection as it had been so inflamed.
"I can go put the prescription through in a few, just need you to do a urine sample for testing, then we can get you on your way home."
I'd actually prefer to be shot than have Cole here listen about me needing a urine sample.
"For cream for my finger?" I asked, a little confused on why I was being asked to pee in a fucking cup.
The doctor smiled to me very kindly, her eyes glancing over at Cole who was trying quite respectfully to not listen so much to this awkward conversation.
"Yes, since the cream has steroids we just need to ensure you're not pregnant." And without even a second of that leaving her lips, I nearly shouted: "i am not pregnant, there's no possible way i could be,"
The doctor was kind. Thank g double o d god she was good to me. "I know, but standard practice. I'll see you in a few with the negative and the cream."
Cole knocked on the door when I'd been standing there, staring at myself in the mirror. There had been a little privacy slot that you could deposit your awfully demoralizing pee-in-a-cup in the bathroom. Thank goodness. I would have never brought it out of the bathroom with Cole there.
"You okay?"
I spoke before I thought. "No,"
Muffled from the other side came: "I couldn't gotten you... ya know... if that's the problem. Pretty sure I've done enough stupid shit to be infertile. Plus I-" he rambled, and I opened the door to stop him.
He looked pale and anxious. I'd felt the same way. We'd both thought of how we hadn't used protection. How I had an iud, but, still, there was a chance.
"I know I'm supposed to of forgotten, and everything, but it's kinda hard to right now", he huffed at me, his hat blocking most of him, so I stepped into his bubble and tilted my head up to Cole.
"I can't be. We didn't do a thing," I told him, wanting to push that memory out because it was freaking me out.
Cole furrowed his brows at me, not liking my answer but following along for my sake. "Right,"
When the doctor came back, she smiled softly, looking like she was hesitant, and I knew before she said the words. "So, Flo, you're pregnant. About a month ago according to your hormone levels."
Cole leaned forward, his elbows on his knees and cupped his hat, dragging it down his face like this was the absolute worst thing that has ever happened to him.
And id it to him.
I sat there, nodding. There was something inside me. Growing. Something I'd never exactly thought of experiencing. "Oh," was all I could muster, and the doctor continued.
"You've options. I realize this is unexpected, so I can help you through the process of booking an abortion or a counsellor to talk through options more with them. Or I can help you find an obstetrician if you decide to keep the baby. You have some time, about two weeks until a decision has to be made, but, you are pregnant."
