And in Time...

by Jettie Woodruff

  “I have to cover the ER until another doctor gets here. I told you that. What are you doing here? What’s going on, Lex?”

  Alexis looked to the nurse for help. “I want another doctor.” The look on her face expressed her surprise of the good-looking doctor, holding Alexis’s hand.

  “Alexis, there is no other doctor. Now stop being difficult and tell me what’s going on.” Cory demanded with a stern tone, trying to get her to talk to him.

  “Just give me something for the pain, Cory,” she demanded with compressed eyes, trying to deal with the pain. She would argue about who her doctor was later. Right now, she needed something stronger for the pain.

  “I can’t give you anything yet. Where’s the pain?”

  “In my lower side, now give me something, please,” she begged.

  “Lex, I have to rule out a few things before I give you anything.”

  “Like what? Just give me something.”

  “I need to make sure it’s not your appendix or something that’s going to send you into surgery before I give you anything.”

  “That’s it. I bet it’s my appendix. Bernie had hers removed right after having Taylor.”

  “Can I be the doctor here? Where’s the pain?”

  “Right here on my left side,” she demonstrated without moving, staying on her side, and showing him where the pain was.

  “Cory!?” Bernie said in surprise, stopping dead in her tracks.

  “Hey, Bernie. Can you please tell me what’s going on with your hard-headed friend here?”

  “She’s been like this pretty much all day. I tried to get her to call you earlier, but she insisted that you couldn’t be her doctor.”

  “I’m right here, and I still insist on that,” Alexis faintly assured him with a clenched jaw.

  “Alexis, I need you to roll onto your back and let me feel your stomach,” he coaxed.

  “I hate this. I hate it a lot,” Alexis half protested. She wanted to resist, but it wouldn’t help, especially with three of them ganging up on her now. She submitted to the stupid doctor and rolled to her back.

  “Relax, I’m not going to hurt you.” Cory pulled the sheet down and raised the gown, careful not to expose the lace he saw peering below the sheet. She was freaked out about him being there enough without adding to it. “On a scale of one to ten, tell me what your pain level is.”

  “Eleven!”

  Under different circumstances, Cory would have laughed. He didn’t laugh. He continued with his exam, pressing tender places and watching her expressions.

  “Does this hurt?”

  “Not much.”

  “Here?”

  Alexis shook her head and he continued to move down, moving to the left side, just below her hipbone. That’s where she tensed and drew her legs to her chest. “There,” she moaned when he hit the sore spot.

  Cory covered her exposed stomach and looked to the nurse. “Can you come with me for a minute?”

  Bernie followed, worried. She wanted to know what was going on, too. “What is it? What’s wrong with her? Is she okay?”

  “I’m pretty sure she has an ovarian cyst,” he explained to both women. “I don’t think it is anything serious, but I do want to run some tests. Is she allergic to anything?” Cory asked Bernie.

  “Goat cheese. She got a rash and her eyes got all watery once when we ate it on salad.”

  Cory snorted. “Give her a half a milligram of Dilaudid. I’ll be right back.”

  “Oh, thank God,” Alexis alleged when she saw the needle. She thanked God for a needle? She hated needles. For her to be happy about a needle only meant one thing, she was in some serious pain.

  The severity of the pain weakened almost immediately. Thank God. By the time Cory joined her again, she felt much better.

  “Where’s your pain now, Lex?”

  “Much better, four of five, maybe.”

  “I need to ask you some personal questions, okay?”

  Alexis rolled her eyes and blew out a lungful of air. “Great.”

  “Is there any chance of pregnancy?”

  Alexis looked at Bernie with an annoyed look. “Could you leave us, Bernie? This could get very interesting.”

  “Damn. I hate to miss this, but actually, Lex, I need to go pick up Taylor. He’s at Cub Scouts. I’ll come back and get you as soon as I have him. The doc here says you’re going to live another day so you can’t throw that in my face later, okay? You know, for leaving you and all.”

  “You go, Bernie. I’ll make sure she gets home,” Cory offered.

  Alexis frantically shook her head to Bernie behind his back. She didn’t want Cory driving her home. Not like this. This wasn’t how she planned intimacy with Cory. “I need my Jeep, just come back and get me.”

  “I can take you home. I’ll be done here as soon as Dr. Brock gets here. He should be here within the hour,” Cory informed her. He wouldn’t take no for an answer.

  “I’ll call you in a little bit,” Bernie said with a reassuring smile. Alexis wasn’t stupid, and Bernie wasn’t coming back.

  “Are you okay here, Dr. Baker? I have another issue to deal with,” the nurse asked.

  “Yes, we’re fine, thank you.”

  Cory moved his eyes back to the chart on the computer screen. “Lex, is there any chance you could be pregnant?”

  “No, Cory, there is absolutely no way that I could be pregnant.”

  “When was your last menstrual cycle?”

  “I am not answering that, let the nurse ask me these questions.”

  “Alexis, is that really necessary?”

  Alexis knew she was being obstinate, but that didn’t keep her from wanting the nurse. They barely knew each other. For Pete’s sake.

  “Lex—”

  “It was almost two weeks ago,” she answered with a defeated sigh.

  “Was that the start, or the end?”

  “End.”

  “Would you say it was normal?”

  Alexis stared up at the white ceiling with crossed arms. Every question was answered with annoyance and attitude. “Yes.”

  “Are you on birth control?”

  “Is that question for you or is it necessary?”

  Cory snickered a little. “Necessary, any doctor would ask that, not just me.”

  “Yes, I have been on the pill for a very long time.”

  “And when was your last bowel movement.”

  “Really? Oh my God. This morning.” Alexis wanted to crawl in a hole and die. This couldn’t be happening.

  “Any discoloration, bloody or coffee-like stools?”

  “Nope.”

  “Have you noticed any other symptoms besides the pain?”

  “No, and I am fine now, it’s barely even hurting anymore. I’m fine.”

  Cory ignored her and continued with his probing questions. “Do you take any other medications?”

  “Nope.”

  “When was your last pap test?”

  “Why are you asking me these questions? What does this have to do with anything?”

  Cory stood from the stool and came to her side. “Will you stop being such a child?”

  “Child? Oh my God. You’re an ass!”

  “Is there a history of Tourette’s syndrome in your family?”

  “Really?”

  Cory snickered and kissed her forehead. “Lex, I know you’re not going to like this, but I need to do a pelvic exam, and I would like to get a vaginal ultrasound.”

  “No way. No how. Forget it. There is no way on God’s green earth I am letting you do a pelvic exam on me. I can’t believe you.” For real? This guy had lost his mind. No way, no how. Her knees went together with a squeeze all on their own.

  Cory knew it would be a fight before he ever mentioned it. He also knew he wouldn’t let her out of there until he knew one hundred percent sure she was okay.

  “I can do this without looking if that’s what you’re worried about.”

  “Are you serious?
You want to stick your fingers in—oh my God. Just do it so I can get the hell out of here.”

  Cory kissed her lips, trying to ease her trepidation. Alexis didn’t kiss back. She didn’t even pucker. Her lips stayed in a pouting, straight line. “I’m going to step out so you can take off your under clothes.”

  “Why? What’s the point in that? You’re about to—”

  “Lex, stop. You’re blowing this way out of proportion. I’m going to step out and Malinda will get you set up. Stop being difficult.”

  Alexis blew out a grumbling, frustrated moan and watched Cory walk out. “Sure, easy for you to say,” she mumbled audibly, coming to her feet. “You’re not the one about to spread your legs for the hot doctor. And not in a good way,” she groused under her breath while stepping out of her panties, hiding them beneath her jeans.

  Minutes seemed like hours, laying there waiting, knowing what Cory Baker was about to do. Oh God! How humiliating. Alexis covered her face with the paper sheet when Cory returned with the nurse.

  “Does she have to be here?” she asked quietly, peeking out from the noisy sheet.

  Cory dismissed the nurse with a nod. “Not if you don’t want her to. I know this is awkward for you, Lex, but I promise, I’ll be as quick as I can.”

  Cory kissed her lips again and backed away. Alexis grabbed his white coat before he could get too far. “You do realize we haven’t even had sex yet, don’t you?”

  “I plan on changing that real soon,” Cory admitted. Alexis stopped him again, fisting his coat in her hand.

  “Don’t look, okay?”

  “I promise, but do I have to wear gloves?”

  “Cory!”

  “I’m kidding.”

  Alexis covered her face again.

  “Uncover your face, Lex. I’m going to stand right here to the side and keep looking at your beautiful face.”

  Alexis held in one long breath and squeezed her eyes shut. This was not happening. Embarrassment didn’t come close to what she felt. She was mortified. Cory did exactly what he promised. He stood to the side and did what he needed to do. Although her eyes were mostly closed, he kept his on her face, never looking once. Thank God the humiliation was over fairly quickly. Cory covered her with the sheet and slid the gloves over his large hands.

  “I’m going to have my nurse get everything set up for the ultrasound. Are you okay for a few minutes?”

  “I don’t think it can get any worse at this point. I’m fine.”

  “Stay in bed. I’ll be right back.”

  Cory left her with another kiss. Alexis stared at the fluorescent lights above her head and shook her head. Unbelievable. Her attention was pulled to the laughing sound coming from her purse. What the hell was that? It took a few moments for her to realize what it was. Bernie.

  “Stop touching my phone. Some friend you are, I could have been dying and you left me here with Dr. Boris.”

  “Who?” Bernie asked puzzled.

  “Never mind.”

  “How are you? What did he say?”

  “He said he’s ninety percent sure it’s an ovarian cyst, and I feel fine now. I just have a faint pain now, but he still wants me to get a vaginal ultrasound to be sure.”

  “He’s not doing it, is he?”

  “No way!” Alexis lied. She wouldn’t tell her about the pelvic exam, either. Bernie would make it out to be sexual and it so wasn’t. Not even close.

  “What are you doing? I said stay in bed,” Cory scolded with a scorn, pushing a wheelchair.

  “I’ve to go. Dr. Boris is back,” Alexis explained annoyed with the whole situation. Of all days for Cory to be at the clinic, UGH!

  “Do you want me to come and get you?”

  “No, Cory said he’ll be done as soon as the other doctor gets here. He’ll take me home.”

  “Okay, call me later. Love you, bye.”

  “Yeah, love you, bye.”

  “Dr. Boris? Are you calling me a mad scientist?” Cory questioned.

  “I can walk,” Alexis assured him.

  “Will you sit and stop being so difficult?”

  Alexis pouted with crossed arms and a sigh without a word. It wouldn’t matter anyway, Cory wouldn’t have listened. He pushed her down the hall to another bright white room with his nurse following close behind. Alexis wondered if Cory asked her to leave when she helped her to the paper covered table and stepped out. He explained the procedure while raising the sheet over her knees. Alexis held air into her lungs and then let it out with the tapping on the door.

  “Dr. Brock is here,” the nurse informed Cory.

  “Thank you,” he nodded. “Would you like for Dr. Brock to do this?”

  “Yes. I would feel much better if Dr. Brock did it.” Whoever that was.

  Alexis remembered Dr. Brock from her visit there with Paige as soon as he entered. He was very thorough and showed her the image on the screen. “It did rupture,” he explained with a pointed finger to the deflated cyst. “That’s what was causing all the pain. I think you’ll feel much better now. I’m going to prescribe some antibiotics and something for the pain for the next two or three days. After that, I think you’ll be as good as new. These things are very common in women your age, and after getting a good look at what’s going on in there, I don’t have any further concerns. “Do you have any questions?”

  “No, I don’t think so. Thank you.”

  ***

  “You doing okay?” Cory asked as he drove them back to Cedar Springs.

  “Yes, I’m fine, and thank you for putting up with me.”

  Cory smiled and took her hand. “You’re very welcome. You had me scared when you first came in,” he admitted while pulling her hand to his lips. He kissed her knuckles and then fished his ringing cell phone from his pocket.

  “You can take that,” Alexis offered when he silenced it.

  “No, it’s not important. Are you hungry?”

  “Not really. Are you? I can make us something.”

  “I don’t want you to make anything. I want you to rest.”

  “Cory, I’m fine. I feel really silly for even going there.”

  “I’m glad you did.”

  Mr. Dog met the strange car in the driveway, barking and growling at the tires. For all he knew Alexis wasn’t home and this car didn’t belong on his turf.

  “Good boy, now stop it,” Alexis scolded after the praise, petting him calm.

  Alexis unlocked the door and Mr. Dog and Cory followed.

  “I’m going to grab a quick shower and get out of these tight pants. Make yourself at home, I’ll be right back.”

  Cory held onto her and pulled her close to his body. Using his tongue to part her lips, he kissed her.

  “You really shouldn’t do that,” she admitted in a soft tone to his lips.

  “Why not?”

  “I think we both know the answer to that.”

  Cory smacked her on the bottom. “Go take a shower. I’m going to use your phone.”

  Alexis showered upstairs, running a razor, quickly over her legs. She talked herself calm more than once, thinking about being with Cory. Jesus. It wasn’t like she was a virgin, but that is exactly what it felt like. “You’re almost thirty. Stop being a drama queen,” she audibly told her reflection when she spit toothpaste to the sink. “You’ve got this.” Choosing a short pair of shorts and cami with no bra, she descended the stairs. Nervous as hell with shaky knees, she made her way to Cory.

  The world around her came crashing in while her bare feet came to an abrupt halt. Her mouth dried up, her breath held in her lungs, and she suddenly couldn’t swallow.

  “I told you I have an emergency. I’ll be home as soon as I can. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”

  There was a pause as he listened to the voice on the other end.

  “Look, Beth, you knew I was a doctor before you signed up for this. I’ll be home when I can get there.”

  Cory turned and his face dropped when he saw Alexis. Her po
sture was limp, her face was white, and her hands were in tight fists.

  “I have to go, I’ll be home as soon as I can. Lex, let me explain,” he began as soon as he’d hung up.

  “You don’t need to explain anything, Cory. Please, just go,” she begged while walking away from him, showing him to the door. How could she be so stupid?

  Cory followed and pleaded with every step. “Alexis, for God’s sake, please listen to me.”

  “I don’t need to hear anything you have to say,” she assured him. She opened the door and gestured for him to hit the road, palm side up.

  “Lex, please.”

  “Get the fuck out, Cory,” she demanded through gritted teeth, feeling anger she didn’t normally feel. Alexis wasn’t wired that way. She didn’t get mad.

  Cory stepped out onto the porch and turned to her. “This isn’t over, Lex.”

  “Yes, Cory, believe me when I say—it is.”

  Finally able to swallow the dry lump, Alexis closed the door and slid to the floor. Covering her face with her hands, she fought tears. No. She wouldn’t cry. She wasn’t in love with him, and she didn’t need him. She never did. Stupid, stupid girl. Stupid guard. She did cry. No matter how hard she fought it, it happened. Tears were shed over a man she knew had been hiding something. She knew it from day one. Dammit. Why the hell didn’t she listen to her gut? What the hell was she thinking?

  Mr. Dog nudged her arm and she raised her eyes to her concerned companion. She wrapped her arms around his neck and cried a few more tears. That was all she needed, Mr. Dog. He would forever be loyal and he sure as hell wouldn’t hurt her.

  “Just stop it, Alexis Rosaline McKinley. This is entirely all your fault, and you have no one to blame but yourself,” she accused out loud to no one but her inhuman friend. She regained her composure as much as possible and made her way to the kitchen. There were no take-backs and nothing she could do would change the fact that she’d been stupid. Again! This too shall pass, she reminded herself. She would get through this one just like the last one, but there would be no next time. That, she would bet her life on. Never. She tried to eat the leftover chicken and dumplings from the night before, but barely got a few bites down before dumping the rest down the drain for the garbage disposal.