After getting her nursing license two years ago, Rebecca's parents thought she was crazy for accepting a job at the American-led excavation site in central Mexico.
She was part of the medical team responsible for monitoring the health of all the workers involved in the digging and research. She lived on-site with the team and they were lucky to each have their own private tent.
A few weeks into the excavation, the project made worldwide headlines. They appeared to have discovered an ancient underground temple. The temple lay in ruins as a result of several earthquakes which occurred over several centuries.
Rebecca's parents finally understood why she was so eager to accept the job when it came her way. To show their support, they decided to pay her visit and take her brother, Dylan, along on the trip. They would stay at a small hotel just a few miles away from the excavation site.
Rebecca was still in her blue nursing uniform when her family arrived to the outskirts of the digging site. They greeted each other warmly. She was super excited to show them the few parts of the sites that were open to the public.
"Can you believe this?" Mom said as she looked over at the places where many experts and archaeology students were touring.
Dad chimed in, "It's like watching National Geographic or the Science Channel. Amazing."
"Or a movie set," Dylan added to the conversation.
Rebecca smiled, "They've been digging up all sorts of precious artifacts. Obviously, it's all under lock and key. So that's off limits. But at least you can see the digging from here."
Her family agreed and marveled at the site.
***
That evening, Rebecca did her routine checkups of the crew. Her main focus was to ensure that the digging and research teams stayed in good health.
Her last patient for the day was a woman named Maria, who was part of a catering group.
They made small talk in English while Rebecca did the physical check-up and wrote down notes for the on-site doctor to review later. After examining the woman's eyes, ears, and tonsils, Rebecca reached for her stethoscope to examine the woman's breathing.
"I have milk," Maria said randomly in broken English, before the stethoscope could touch her chest.
"What do you mean?" Rebecca asked, abandoning her attempt to assess her patient's breathing.
"My breasts. I have milk, Ms. Thomas."
"You mean breastmilk?"
"Yes, yes, that is what I mean."
Rebecca checked her files. "Are you pregnant? That's not listed on your profile. For health reasons, pregnant women aren't allowed on this site. It's a risk, Ms. Sanchez."
"No, no, I'm not pregnant," Maria said, shaking her head.
"Then you
were
pregnant? That's not listed either. I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to report this. It's for your own safety. I hope you understand. The fumes on this site may be a health danger to a woman in your condition."
"No, no, it's the temple, Ms. Thomas."
Rebecca raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"Your researchers from America do not understand. It's a local history that some stones cause fertility. They give a strong energy."
"I don't think I understand."
"I want to keep working here," Maria explained. "I need the money and care for everyone working here. Please make sure my health is okay. Please do that for me."
It was all very odd. This woman genuinely seemed to believe that the site was causing her to lactate.
"Ms. Sanchez, if you're pregnant, or were pregnant in the past, then you have to disclose that. I have an ethical obligation to the medical team and to
you
, to report things accurately."
Maria was determined. "Look, I'll show you."
Maria lifted her shirt to reveal her stomach, so that Rebecca could see for herself that she didn't have any of the stretch marks that a recently pregnant woman would have had. Rebecca understood this.
Being a medical professional who prided herself on being better able to assist women, Rebecca sat stoically as Maria lifted her bra to expose her breasts. Whatever this was, it must have been important, since Maria was certainly a dignified woman who worked hard every single day.
Maria's nipples appeared dark and swollen. She pinched each of her nipples and milk squirted from them. It was clear that she was indeed lactating. For good measure, Maria gave her nipples another squeeze and more milk shot onto the floor.
They had been on the site for a month already, and Rebecca had not seen any evidence of lactation from Maria or any of the other workers before. This was definitely something new.
"Please don't tell doctor," Maria said calmly in broken English.
"It would be in your best interest to declare this to the doctors, Ms. Sanchez. I'm trying to do what's best for you."
"The doctors will think I'm crazy," Maria pleaded. "I may lose my job. I may even be studied like a lab animal. Soon, you may have same issue."
"Why would I have the same issue?" Rebecca asked, shocked.
"The altar was found yesterday. It was described in local history, which only a few know about. Me and the other women have experienced changes too. Soon, you will also."
Rebecca was dismayed at the thought any woman being treated like a lab animal for simply having milk. But she also knew that women didn't simply start lactating out of the blue. There had to have been a plausible medical explanation somewhere.
"There are other women who are experiencing this?" Rebecca asked.
"Yes, yes, so far I hear from my cooking partners. They have the same experience today. A day after the discovery of the altar. The carved rocks."
"Do they wish to consult Dr. Ford about this? I can arrange a meeting tomorrow. I promise the matter will be discussed in total confidence. There must be a reasonable explanation."
Maria looked skeptical. "This is the Fertility Temple. It is only temporary, while we're here. Please, monitor our health while we are under its spell. And please, don't be alarmed when you start experiencing the same changes. I don't want to discuss this with Dr. Ford. This should stay between us women. Western men don't understand. "
There was complete sincerity from Maria, and that sent a shiver down Rebecca's spine.
***
The next morning. Her parents were back on site to happily observe as much of the excavation as they could. Her brother was enjoying the free, freshly squeezed fruit drinks which were being provided to everyone. And she was on a break from her medical duties.
When she found her brother, she gave him the most serious expression she could possibly muster.
"I need to talk to you," she said. "In my private tent."
Dylan had never seen her look quite so serious. She looked almost scared.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"There's something I need to show you."
They walked for several minutes to her tent where they would have some privacy. It was a small tent, just big enough to accommodate a standard camping cot and a wooden chest for her personal belongings.
"What's up?" he asked, as they sat on the cot.
"You're the only person I can trust," she replied. "As a psychology major, do you believe that thoughts can influence the human body?"
Naturally, he looked puzzled for a moment. "Sure they can. It happens all the time."
"I mean, biologically speaking."
"Yes, sure. Why? You're the medical profession, not me."
"But you're the only person I can talk to at the moment."
