Page 41 of Up All Night
"Fine.Give me a moment to draw up the paperwork for it.It may take a little longer, seeing as this isn't my listing."
"Oh, and do me a favor.Don't tell Lark."
Her smile grows bigger."You want to surprise her."
I've been discovered.But she doesn't seem upset.In fact, if I'm reading her right, I'd say that she's happy.I'll take my licks from Lark, but I do believe that I won't be taking any from Lucy."Yeah."
She knows and I know.
Now it's just a matter of letting Lark know.
Lark
I turn over in bed, feeling a very odd sensation across my chest.My pajamas feel like sandpaper.As I touch my breasts, they feel like they’ve been punched.When my alarm goes off an hour later, I rise out of bed, feeling like I’ve only slept for twenty minutes.I have never called in sick to work.Ever.I talk myself into getting up and showering and trying to eat something so that I can take a pain reliever, before making up my mind.
Skipping my workout, I take a shower.The water dripping over my chest, makes it feel like I’ve got sunburn.When I try to get dressed, just placing my bra on my chest is excruciating.I have to get some cotton balls from the medicine cabinet and place them over my nipples, using the loosest loop on my bra closure, just to bear it.
It starts coming back to me, how I’ve been saying to myself, that I need to buy some new undergarments, because my bra is definitely too small.And now I’m kicking myself, because I can’t even wear the thing anymore.It’s been a long time since I’ve made such a purchase, so it isn’t surprising.The final straw, and the reason I call in sick to work, is when I try to eat my usual breakfast.I can’t stomach even the thought of eating my oatmeal this morning.
After I text Lucy and my boss, letting them know that I need a personal day, I call my doctor's office.Stone has been back-and-forth from his offices in South Carolina and North Carolina in the past couple of weeks, and with my two new clients, I haven’t spoken with him.It’s all for the best, I say, reconciling myself.But just as I say this, I get a text message from him.
He simply says that he’s thinking about me.That he’s sorry he’s been so busy, but he knows that I am, too.The part about Stone that I like the most is that there is no expectation.No guilt.And best of all, no games.I just wish that I could say the same about me.
Orange juice is the only thing that I can stomach this morning, as I approach the doctor's office.She sees me right away, having squeezed me in before the morning rush.It’s been a minute since I’ve seen her, and I sold her a house last year, so I’m not sure if it’s intentional that she made such a concession for me or not.But I am grateful, seeing as I do not feel like myself at all.
“Lark.You’re looking good."Dr.Allen says.She’s only about ten years older than me, which is why I chose her as my family doctor, after my previous doctor retired about five years ago.She referred me to Dr.Grant, the gynecologist that had the privilege of meeting Steve, my ex-fiancé.
“You, too.Thanks."
The treatment room is small.With the expected contraptions within it, like a bed, a computer, desk, chair, and a guest chair, next to a bed covered with tissue paper, and medical instruments hanging on the wall behind it.She starts with the usual ambulatory things, taking my blood pressure, my heart rate, and she weighs me as well.“What can I do for you today?It says on the file that you’re having some nausea?“
“And my chest hurts.”
I explain, pointing to my breasts.
“You mean your breasts or your chest?”She clarifies.
“I woke up this morning, and I could barely touch my chest.I know that I need a new bra, but I was wondering if maybe I needed a mammogram or something."
She places a hand tenderly on my right breast, just by my under arm.“Is this tender?”
I nod.“If you press any harder, you’ll be peeling me off the ceiling."
“When was your last period?"
“I’m not exactly a regular for that, as I’m sure you know.Dr.Grant has been through this with me before."
“Have you been having unprotected sex?"
I answer with a scoff.“Yes, but you remember that I tried to get pregnant with my ex."
“I do remember that.But Dr.Grant's notes said that your systems are fine."
“Well, I just don’t feel right.I don’t feel like myself.I’d feel better if I could have a mammogram."
“How about we take a urine sample first.Rule out pregnancy, and then I’ll send you for an ultrasound.With that discomfort, you’ll be lucky if you can tolerate a probe on your breast, let alone having them squished down for a mammogram.”
“I guess you’ve got a point there.”I laugh nervously.
