Where to Next

Chapter 14

Things were kind of going crazy at work. We were so busy that the phones just kept ringing and ringing. It felt like they would never stop. I could feel my head just pounding and pounding. It was the worst headache ever. I don't ́t know if it was from the stress, but I had already gotten sick a few times that morning. I tried to pull myself together because it was one of the busiest days we have had in awhile. Dr. Shapiro came into the office in a hurry. She pulled on her white coat and shoved some pens and her prescription pad into her pocket. As she started to pick up the morning charts she could tell something was wrong. 

̈Are you sick ̈ she asked?

̈ ̈Yes I am ̈ I said while making a gagging noise. 

¨I must have eaten something bad ̈ 

She laughs and says, ̈don ́t tell me you got the pregnancy bug already ̈?

̈ ̈No of course not¨ I brushed off her comment. 

After she walked away I looked at my calendar and saw I had missed a couple periods. ¨No, I can´t be¨ I told myself. I ran over to the cabinet where we keep our pregnancy tests. I stuck one into my pants and walked into the bathroom. Within the next few minutes I had my answer. POSITIVE! I sat down on the toilet holding the stick. There it was clear as day. Two pink lines going across. ̈ ̈Oh no, two lines¨ I yelped. This can't be happening I thought while staring at the test with disbelief. I always thought I would be happy when this day came, but I wasn ́t. I knew it couldn ́t be Craig's baby, I started to cry. There was no way I could tell him. It would break his heart. I knew how much he wanted to start a family. ¨This can't be ̈! My body filled with anxiety. My heart racing so fast it felt like it may come out through my throat. As I sat there, I could hear footsteps right outside the door. It was Dr. Shapiro. 

̈Are you sure you ́re ok sweetie ̈

I jumped to my feet and threw the test in the garbage. I reached for the knob, hesitating for a second while I composed myself. Then I pulled open the door and there stood Dr. Shapiro. She actually seemed really concerned. We've become so close that she was like family now. 

̈ ̈Hey, I am ok ̈ I said while smoothing out my scrub top. 

¨You don't look well ̈

¨Why don't you head home ̈

¨I will forward the calls to the service ̈

I let out a huge sigh. I was relieved that she offered to close up early. I needed some time to process everything. I called Craig and he said he would come right over to pick me up. It wasn't long before I heard the door chime. In walked Craig. 

̈ ̈Hi Dr. Shapiro¨ he said as he walked over to me and kissed me on my forehead. He moved his arm around me to give me a hug while taking my bags. 

̈ ̈Get her home and make her some chicken soup ̈

¨I think she may have the flu ̈ Dr. Shapiro was now guiding us towards the door. 

̈ ̈Jade, if you still aren't feeling good we´ll run a RIDT on you tomorrow ̈ 

I could tell Dr. Shapiro really cared for me. I almost felt like she was becoming a mother figure in some ways. She helped Craig and I to the car. I looked out the car window just as she began to wave goodbye. The sound of the engine purred as Craig started it up. He began driving towards our place. I felt so nauseous, but now it was over the thought of keeping such a secret from him. We have been through so much that I can ́t let this tear us apart.