Straight Lines, Not a Straight Spine

Chapter 9:

Song choice: "In My Dreams" by Christy Altomare. That's it. Sorry, it's almost 9:30 as I write this.

This will be short. I just want to give you info about something later that would be confusing if I didn't give it to you. It's crucial, trust me.

I waited in the exam room for five ... ten ... fifteen ... seventeen minutes until a young woman with a pink shirt walked in. (I don't actually know how long, it sounds right). She looked a little shocked. 

I was shocked to see her. She wasn't Dr. Nyce. Well, he'd probably be coming soon. She didn't look as professional as him.

"Hi, Pearl! How's the brace?" The woman asked kindly. I wasn't even that offended that she didn't care about how I was. I was fine and this was an orthopedic visit; it's all about my disorder and what's being done about it.

"It's pretty good." I answered with a small smile. It was; I had just slept in it (if you're shocked, I will tell you that you are not the first, and won't be the last if I need the brace again) without waking up in the middle of the night.

The woman walked over. She was looking for a sign of the brace through my clothes. 

Once she had come onto the side of the exam table that I was sitting on the edge of, she exclaimed, "I didn't even realize you were wearing the brace, until I saw this!"

The top Velcro strap was, of course, caught on my shirt.

"This is great!" The woman told me with a wide smile. "Can you come off the table so I can look at your brace."

I awkwardly hopped off the table and walked to the middle of the room.

She inspected the brace and how it fit, making some notes before exiting with a sweet goodbye, promising that Dr. Nyce would be in soon.

Another twenty minutes pass. I wonder why he's not here yet. I guess everyone's trying to get their kids here before things start getting really busy.

About ten minutes after that, Dr. Nyce finally sauntered in. I guess there were more patients than usual.

"I hear that your brace is looking very good. Can I have a look?" Dr. Nyce asked.

I once again hopped off the bench and walked towards the middle of the room. I don't think I was walking too awkwardly.

Dr. Nyce examined the same spots that the woman before him did. He walks back and instructs me to sit back down.

Great. I have to make my way back onto the bench. As though it was easy enough to get off. I was still getting used to the brace, even though I always insisted it was fine.

I took at least ten seconds to get back onto the bench. Once I was seated, Dr. Nyce asked if I had gotten my period yet. I had not. I was a late bloomer.

He asked and explained a few other things that were a bit unimportant.

"For Pearl's next visit in about three months, she will have another X-Ray to see her spine's curve. It is a more precise measurement. In order to do this, her muscles will need be relaxed, unlike how they are when she's in the brace. So, 24 hours before the next visit, she can have her brace off. It would be a bracation." Dr. Nyce told me and Mom.

I didn't have a big reaction. I was excited, but I didn't hate my brace that much; yet.

I am so sorry for the late release. I didn't have that great a memory to write this chapter and I've only written it at night.

Well, many things have happened (since I'm not dead).

One, I lost my toenail (story and explanation about that in a later chapter).

Second, I saw "Ocean's 8" with my mom and the real-life Helena. I really liked it. I would suggest it. I will add that it is PG-13.

Third, the real-life Declan won a belly-flopping contest at the pool we belong to. It was truly epic.

Fourth, MY BIRTHDAY IS IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS! Sorry, I will finally age (sorry, I can't tell you because of I'm on the internet and I can't share too much).

Well, let's hope I don't die from all the weather alerts I keep getting before I can finish. Goodnight, I hope to see you soon!