Laura hated the examining gown. Yes, it was her OB/GYN annual. Yes, he'd been seeing her since she was eighteen. No, it didn't make her feel any less exposed and vulnerable.
She bided her time given how he was running late as usual. Laura scanned all the yellowing health information posters that had festooned the walls for practically forever, occasionally looking down at her phone to check e-mails. She and Frank had been so busy lately. Her husband, in particular, had been distracted by a project that took all his time and energy. Aside from a dinner here, a quick conversation over the phone there, their time together had hit an all-time low in what had been a very strong marriage.
Yet here she was, forty-two, and at her sexual peak. She missed making love to her husband. She gave herself a critical eye in the examining room's mirror, all five feet seven inches of her. Her gorgeous chestnut hair showed no gray yet. If she were like her grandmother, she wouldn't be needing any touch up before fifty. Her legs were toned and sleek, the product of swimming three times a week. Her abdomen was flat. And Frank had always had time to ogle her boobs. In fact, with the right dress, so did most of the men at the Club's summer cotillion. Store bought? Nope, she thought with a hint of pride. All mine.
Of course, her flirting with other men was always innocent. Nothing out of line for a happily-married woman with twins away at college, just enough to know she still had it. To her knowledge, Frank had never stepped over the line, either. So nothing wrong with her in the marriage department. We're just hitting a dry spell.
She started when the door opened with a gentle knock, three quick taps as always. In came Dr. McKay with a nurse trailing in his wake.
"Laura. So good to see you." He extended a hand, always maintaining eye contact, despite the flimsiness of her gown. No leering from Dr. McKay. He was always professional that way. Too bad, she found herself thinking, admiring the line of his jaw.
"You too, Dr. McKay."
"Gene. You've been my patient long enough."
"Okay. Gene."
"That's better. Okay, you know what to do. Put your legs up and let's take a look." It was the usual exam, nothing out of the ordinary. Quick and to the point. Laura stared at the ceiling tiles, embarrassed as always, despite Gene being her doctor for so long. A few minutes later, his latex gloves came off with a snap and went into the bin.
"Okay, Laura. Good news. Everything looks fine." The nurse behind him scribbled a few notes. "Is there anything unusual you've noticed? Anything to tell me?"
Laura thought for a moment. Hmmm. If she couldn't talk to her doctor about this, who could she ask? She trusted him more than just about anyone. Certainly more than her lush of a sister, who couldn't be trusted as far as she could throw her Denali. And her friends were just as bad when it came to gossip. Dr. McKay, Gene, was likely her best bet for advice.
"Actually, yes, Gene. I'd like to ask you something." She looked meaningfully over Dr. McKay's shoulder at the nurse behind him. "But it's embarrassing."
Having been a doctor for thirty years, Gene took her hint, and turned to the nurse.
"Lisa, do you mind stepping out?" After the door closed and they were alone, he turned back to his patient. "Okay. Shoot."
"Well..." Okay, this is dumb. He'll laugh at me.
"Laura, it's okay. I've heard it all." Laura exhaled and began.
"I've, I mean, we've been married for twenty years now."
"Right."
"We're empty nesters with the kids off at college."
"I can't believe they've grown up. I remember delivering them."
"Right. But...okay, here's the problem. Frank and I ought to be...well...enjoying ourselves more." He nodded as if this was not unusual news at all. Good bedside manner, Laura thought to herself.
"Is Frank working a lot?"
"Yes. It's this all-consuming contract. He's up at all hours, on the road, you name it. It's been going on for months. So even when he has time, he doesn't have...um...the desire." Another nod from the doctor.
"He's what, forty-four?"
"Forty-three."
"It's not unusual. It happens at that age when men get preoccupied."
