Medical malpractice case

Chapter 7 Jamie

I stare at the positive pregnancy in my hand. I fidget with my dress. This can't be. I just got my period no no. This ruins everything. I feel my eyes water with tears about to burst. I'm shaking. I feel like everything around me freezes time freezes. I breathe rapidly. I suddenly feel hands on top of mine.

"Jamie." He says softly. I look at him. I don't want to deal with him now. "It's okay. I'm here. You're okay." He assures me.

"I got my period I can't be." I protest.

"That would be a risk and may affect the baby. I'll do another test to make sure. Yeah?"  I listen to his words carefully and nod.  He pulls me up and guides me to the exam table. I lay down, and he begins rubbing the cream on my stomach. This is really happening. God. I hate it. My heart is thrumping in my chest rapidly. He begins gently scanning my stomach with the transducer. I take a deep breath.

"See." He points to the screen where a little grey creature is. My child. The thought of that makes me want to kill myself.

"I want to abort it." I say without hesitation.

"Oh... you sure?" He asks. I nod.

"I have no doubt." He looks at me and gestures for me to sit up. I sit up. He takes a seat on the rolling chair.

"I'm not gonna come in your business, but.. I personally don't think you should."

"Why not?"

"I get it. You aren't ready, but I, based on experience, warn you. Don't do it." My eyes soften at his words. Based on experience?

"What happened? If you don't mind me asking."

"My wife was pregnant. Then they died in a car accident. Her and the child. I wasn't ready to become a father but..when they died." His voice cracks.

"I'm sorry." I say softly because what else can I say.

"It's okay. It happened long ago."

"How long?" I ask softly

"5 months. On my birthday." He says, his voice shaky. On his birthday too. Without thinking, I reach and hug him. He burries his head in my shoulder.

"I won't but...I can't raise the child alone." I mutter against his ear, still wrapped in the embrace.

He lifts his head to look at me. He holds my gaze. "You'll figure it out. If anything, I'm here to help. But never abort it."

"Okay." Is all I can say. He's offering to help. I wonder if it's because to win the case or if he's genuine. I stare at the ultrasound. The baby. My child. I suddenly feel a pang of...comfort. that right there. Is my child.

"I love it. Whatever the gender is." I can't help the soft smile that's on my face. Noah looks at me and smiles.

________

I sit in the courtroom and clear my throat to begin.

"I have been observing how Dr. Noah has been working. I have seen and noticed that his work is nothing but clean. He checks and recheck. He has some flaws, yes, but we all do. Don't we? As for Dr. Noah, he's safe. For now. As for you, Mrs Melissa, can I see your daughter? So I can see the broken foot in person."

"She can't get out of the house." Melissa says quickly.

"Do you have any prescriptions the doctor might have given you?" I ask

"No. Nothing."

"Then how do we know you aren't lying?"

"Because I'm not. Why would lie? This bastard hurt my daughter." She yells. Katie stands up.

"If I may your honor." She says,"I'm sure you have to know that the broken foot they say happened. It occurred a month after Noah's surgery. According to research, injuries happen weeks. Days after the surgery but nothing about months. And what hospital did you go to again?"

"The one in Mayfield Street." Melissa says.

"Well I went to that hospital to check if you actually did. Turns out out of all the files in the hospital. Nothing has the name Aubrey. Melissa's daughter." Katie walks over and hands me the files. I flip through the pages. Indeed, there is nothing.

"Mrs Melissa, if you don't get me Aubrey or a picture of her, you will be held accountable for." I say

"I told you she can't get out of the house." She says.

"Oh really? Your honor if I may. I have pictures of Aubrey in the cafe with her friends." She hands me pictures of what seems like Aubrey laughing and drinking coffee with no cast on her foot. Nothing. I look up at Melissa.

"Mrs Melissa. This is enough proof to know that you are indeed lying." I clear my throat. "Mrs Melissa guilty." I hit the gravel against the table. "Charged for 3,000 for lying." I inform. "Dr Noah safe. For not only telling the truth but also showing his work and dedication." I tap the gravel twice. "Case dismissed." Katie straights her suit and looks at Noah, and they hug. I watch and can't help the smile on my face. Melissa, on the other hand, is fuming.

The court clears out. I gather my things and stand up, walking out to my car. I open the passenger door to place my things.

"Jamie." He says softly. I turn around to face him. He immediately pulls me into an embrace. At first, I'm taken aback. But lean into his touch shortly after

"I can't thank you enough seriously. Thank you with my whole heart." He says.

"Just doing my job, Doc." I say. He smiles and pulls away.

"Anyway I can repay you?"

"No, no. You don't have to."

"I want to. Jamie, you saved my life. My reputation. I need to do something." I smile at his determines to pay me back. "Let me take you to lunch. Because I've been watching, your hands are like Skelton. You don't eat, do you?"