Author's note:
It is 23:54 on November 30
th
, and I just wrote 'The End' for this story. 11K words on this chapter, 71K words total in 30 days, and most of them not complete drivel! I am officially stoked.
So, what can you expect in this chapter? Well, lots of twists and turns, but, eventually, Joe will manage to do *something* right. I promise.
Are you ready, y'all? Let's do thiiiiiiiiissssss!!
*****
"How are you feeling this morning, Leanne? Still in pain?"
Yes, but not the kind your pills would help with
, Leanne thought. "No, no real pain. More like mild discomfort, really. I think I'm good, honest."
"Let's check, shall we?"
Dr. Lewis proceeded to check on her wound, sounding content to see that it was starting to heal, and then asked her to sit on the side of the bed. He had her follow his light with her eyes, do some simple math calculations in her head, and checked her reflexes. Then he asked her to stand up, and checked her balance and space orientation through a series of peculiar tests. She managed everything with no issues save for minimal dizziness.
"From the neurological angle you're fine, Leanne. Have a seat, and let's give you a quick physical, okay?" Leanne did, and Dr. Lewis continued. "Joe mentioned you haven't been feeling well lately; could you tell me more about that?"
"Um, there's not much to tell, really."
"Hmm. Any problems sleeping? Changes in eating? Feeling sick?" He asked matter-of-factly, while looking into her ears and her throat for signs of infection. It was strange, being checked over like that. Leanne couldn't remember the last time she'd been seen by a doctor. She tried not to flinch at the unfamiliar sensations.
"I've been under some stress so that may had something to do with it."
"Hmm. And how did it manifest itself?"
"I - haven't been sleeping great, that's true. And I think I may have had a virus in my guts; I did have some spells of nausea."
"Any diarrhea? Vomiting?" The doctor fit his stethoscope to his ears, pulling her shirt up her back so that he could place the scope in different spots.
"No. None." She said, and then at his indication, took deep, steady breaths. Dr. Lewis spent a few moments listening through her back, and then moved to her front, although he made sure to keep her covered, for which Leanne was grateful.
"Okay. So far so good. Let's have a feel for your internal organs real quick, shall we? Lie down on your back again for me, please."
Leanne lay down and pulled her top up to her breasts, and Dr. Lewis tugged her pants slightly down to her hipbones, and then started pressing at different points, deeper than she had anticipated, starting from the top, just under her ribs, and moving methodically down.
"Tell me if anything hurts or feels uncomfortable, okay?" He said even as he kept going, already around her midriff.
"Um, okay. So far so good."
When he got to her lower abdomen he paused and then pressed again, going at it from different angles, looking up to her face as if expecting to see something there.
"Something wrong, doctor?" She asked nervously
Instead of answering, he rearranged her pants for her, and indicated she could straighten her shirt. While she did, he turned to pull the ottoman from its corner and sat down next to the bed so that they were more or less at eye level.
"Can you tell me when was your last period?"
Leanne thought back, and then shrugged. "I honestly can't remember. I've never really kept track of it."
She did briefly, when Joe and her were together, but once they'd broken up it didn't really matter.
"Okay. Can you try and pinpoint the last time you positively remember having had your period?"
"Um... in the summer. I can remember having it twice during the high season, so both in July and in August."
She wasn't bleeding on Labor Day,
she remembered. The next moment, her stomach dropped.
Shit, shit, SHIT. He didn't use a condom.
Her pulse kicked and her hands shook as adrenaline shot into her bloodstream.
No. This can't be -
"From your expression, you know where I'm going with these questions." Dr. Lewis said quietly, and Leanne braved a look into his eyes. There was no judgment in them, only compassion, and she felt her throat constrict with sudden tears.
"It was only that one time we didn't use protection." She whispered. Dr. Lewis repled gently.
"Sometimes that's all it takes."
"No... God. This can't - I can't be pregnant. I can't be. Please."
His pressed his lips, and gave her a level look. "While this isn't one-hundred-percent proof, your uterus is enlarged, and in my estimate the size fits about eight weeks gestation, which correlates with the last time you remember getting your period, and with the time you had unprotected sex."
She stared at him, her mind trying to catch up with the implications of his words. Dr. Lewis patted her hand.
"I can see this is a shock. The good news is, you're young and healthy, and it is still very early pregnancy. There's time to think this through and make plans. I understand you and Joe hadn't planned this, but -"
At her gasp he stopped, and then grinned knowingly. "Come on. I may be old, but I'm not blind, you know. I've seen the way he looks at you. And he did insist to bring you here." Dr. Lewis gestured around them; at the rumpled bed, which indicated more than one person had slept in it the night before. Leanne blushed red, and the older man sobered.
"I've known Joe since the day I helped his mother bring him into this world, Leanne. He's a good man, and he'll do right by you."
Her tears, so close to the surface ever since last night, spilled again. She tried several times before she managed to whimper - "It's more complicated than that."
Dr. Lewis's face grew serious. "It usually is. And there are other options, too, obviously. All I'm saying is, there's time to make these decisions, and it's best to make them together with the father."
Leanne swallowed hard. "Are you - are you going to tell him about - about this?"
Dr. Lewis gave her a long, hard look, and then spoke grudgingly. "I'm not allowed to discuss the specifics of your condition with anyone without your consent, Leanne. All I am going to tell him is if and when you will be fit to work again."
She breathed her relief. "Thank you."
Dr. Lewis shook his head as he got to his feet. "Look -" he sighed. "As your doctor, I am obligated to confidentiality, and I will abide by it. But as an old man who had seen a thing or two in his lifetime, I will say this: sometimes, life calls for a leap of faith. Do the right thing, and trust that he'd do the same."
Leanne sniffled, and wiped her tears impatiently. "I'll think about it."
Dr. Lewis nodded, and patted her hand once more. "You do that. I'll be on my way. I'll call to see how you're doing in a few days." He turned to leave, and then paused. "In any event, you should schedule an appointment with an OB/Gyn as soon as possible, just to verify everything is normal - listen to the baby's heartbeat, and make sure the pregnancy is located in-utero."
Leanne looked at him, wide-eyed.
Listen to the baby's heartbeat?
The concept was surreal. Her head started pounding from her mile-a-minute thoughts running around in it.
"Oh - okay, yeah. I'll do that."
With a nod, Dr. Lewis turned and descended the stairs, leaving her feeling lightheaded and dizzy.
She was pregnant with Joe's baby. Dear God. What was she going to do?
*
"What's wrong with her?"
Joe's lungs felt constricted when he saw Dr. Lewis's dark expression. The older man looked startled and then schooled his features and answered in measured tones.
"She is recovering well, Joe. Have her keep it light for a few days longer; I wouldn't want her straining herself too soon. Let's keep her away from the fields for the time being, and no heavy lifting; I'll check on her again next week and we can re-evaluate."
Joe blew the air he'd been holding. "So, 'keep it light' - is that full bed rest, or simply off work for a few more days?"
Dr. Lewis shook his head. "No, no need for bed rest. In fact, it would do her good to get up and walk around. But, yeah, no farm work for now."
Joe nodded. "Okay. Thank you very much, doctor."
"Of course. That's what I'm here for. You take care, Joe."
Joe walked the older man to the door, and held it open for him. "Thanks again. I'll see you soon."
With a wave of his hand, Dr. Lewis was gone. Joe closed the door behind him, and then turned and climbed up the stairs two at a time. But when he saw Leanne, he paused. She was sitting on the ottoman, putting on her work boots, and crying.
"What's wrong?"
Leanne shrugged and wiped her eyes impatiently. "I need to get to my room. Pack up my things."
"What?! What the heck are you talking about?!"
She looked desperate. "Please, Joe. I can't do this."
"Do what, Leanne? Rest? Heal?" He knew he sounded angry, but he couldn't help himself.
She fainted yesterday. She still wasn't well. She can't be serious.
"I can't prolong this - this breakup between us. I won't survive a week-long goodbye. I - I need to go."
"How, Leanne? Where to? Who's going to take care of you until you're fully recovered? You can't be on your own yet. That's irresponsible." He was probably exaggerating. He stood by it, anyway.
Leanne gave him a 'come on' look, but then answered. "I'll be at Elaine's. My friend in Sacramento. I won't be alone."
Joe breathed deep.
He knew that name. She was listed as 'next of kin'.
"Alright, and then what?"
"And then I'll find another job, and another place to live." Her tone softened. "I'm a big girl, Joe. I'll be fine."
He stood there helplessly, and watched her finish lacing and tying up her boots, and then stand up and square her shoulders, clearly ready to butt heads with him some more. He stifled a curse.
