Page 101 of Cross My Heart
“Lanie!” Julia yells, startling us both.
“Jesus, Jules, you didn’t have to yell,” I tell her
“Whatever, Lanie, do you hear me?” Julia asks.
“Yes, Jules, I think they can hear you all the way uptown,” Lanie informs her.
“Good,” Jules says, barely lowering her voice, “then you listen to me.”
“And me,” Mimi chimes in.
“Me too,” Pete adds.
Lanie, groans. “I’m listening.”
“Dex tells us you haven't been feeling good, and no matter what line of shit you’re feeding him, you and I both know it isn’tnormal. We have made you a doctor’s appointment, Sylvie is on her way to watch the kids, and you are going. Do you understand?” Julia scolds.
“Fine,MOM.” Lanie spouts like a sullen teenager.
“Good, Dex, I want you to go into the exam room with her and call me back and put it on speakerphone, so I can hear too.”
“Julia, I am not a child. I am perfectly capable of going to a doctor’s appointment on my own.” Lanie tells her.
“No can do, luvs, you lost that chance when you wouldn’t go to the doctor in the first place,” Julia informs her.
Lanie must really not be feeling well because she puts up no further argument.
* * *
Sitting in the exam room,I feel anxiety settling in my chest. We’ve been here an hour and we haven't gotten any information in that time. The nurses have taken her bloodwork and a urine sample; since then, we’ve just been waiting. I’m also learning that Julia has the patience of a two-year-old.
“Have they come back yet? What the hell is taking so long?” She asks.
“Jules, you asked less than five minutes ago, you will hear them enter whenever they do, just try to relax, please. You aren’t making this any better with your impatience.” I inform her.
“Well, excuse me, asshat. I’m not there, and I’m worried,” she responds, sounding truly upset, making me feel like the asshat she called me.
“Jules, I am fine, I promise. I’m sure they are just backed up, we did get squeezed into the schedule today.” Lanie tries to appease her friend.
There is a knock on the door and we hear Julia, “About freaking time.”
“Julia,” I hiss, “if you don’t behave yourself, I’ll put you on mute.”
“Don’t you dare,” she replies angrily, then, “I’ll stay quiet,” she says more subdued.
“Ms. Heart, I’m doctor Bailey, nice to meet you. Let’s have a peek, shall we?” The doctor lays Lanie down and starts manipulating her stomach. She must feel Lanie’s scars because she asks if it's okay for her look at them.
Lanie says yes and begins to explain. “I was attacked a couple of years ago,” she begins, the doctor nodding, listening to her explanation.
When Lanie has finished, the doctor covers her back up. “Alright, Lanie. Is there any chance you are pregnant?” I watch Lanie swallow her sadness.
“No, the attack made pregnancy impossible for me,” Lanie explains to her.
“I see. Can you tell me where you were treated for the attack? And would you be willing to have the records sent over here to me?”
“What for? Is something serious going on with Lanie?” Julia blurts from the phone screen, sufficiently confusing the doctor.
“Sorry, Dr. Bailey, that’s my best friend, Julia, she insisted on being involved,” Lanie explains, embarrassed.
