Eden visits the clinic on Monday. She’s never particularly liked visiting the doctors—what with her fear of needles and whatnot—but Doctor Amy Henski is the epitome of caring. Eden’s always thought the woman was pretty cool. She’s got fun aunt vibes, the type that’ll help you sneak out after curfew or let you sneak in a couple sips of her wine.
“There,” Henski says. “You’re all set. I should have the results to you by this evening.”
“So soon?”
“I run the lab work downstairs, so we don’t have to worry about long queues.” Henski tosses Eden a cheeky wink. “Besides, I get the feeling you might want to know sooner rather than later?”
Eden’s suddenly aware of how warm her face is. “I, uh... Well, yeah. Thanks.”
Henski chuckles. “Who’s the lucky someone?”
“Just a guy,” Eden answers, unable to stop herself from smiling because Alexander isn’t just a guy to her. “I work with him.”
“Are things pretty serious?”
“Getting there, I think. I mean, I really hope so.”
Henski smiles warmly. “Well, even if your results do come back negative, I would still like to encourage you to be safe. Have you thought much about contraceptives?”
“I used to be on birth control, but that was a few years ago. I’d been seeing this other guy, but I stopped once we broke up.”
“Are you interested in going on the pill again?”
“Maybe. The stuff I was on made me feel awful. I’m a bit wary.”
“Perfectly understandable. The pill isn’t exactly one size fits all.” Henski quickly walks over to her desk and opens up a drawer, plucking an informational pamphlet from within. She hands it to Eden. “Look this over and let me know if anything interests you. Condoms are the most convenient and inexpensive option, but they aren’t guaranteed to work one hundred percent of the time. None of them are, really, but it should suffice for now.”
Eden smiles. “Thanks, doc.”
“I’ll give you a call later when the results are in.”
With that, Eden hops off the exam table and leaves.
She walks home, taking the opportunity to soak up some sunshine. It’s a gorgeous day out, and tomorrow’s forecast is promising to be even more beautiful. She passes by several small boutiques, paying the majority of them no mind. Eden’s never been the kind of person to mindlessly window shop. She has much more important things to deal with than staring longingly at things she won’t allow herself to afford.
That is, until she spots a dress in the window of a clothing store.
It’s pretty. Prettier than anything Eden owns, at least. That really isn’t saying much because her closet is abysmal to begin with, hardly anything worth gushing over. She’s never been a clothes type of girl. The nicest thing she owns is her black chef jacket, and that had been a very generous ‘business expense.’
She continues to stare, the delicate lace bodice flowing into the rest of the sundress. The capped sleeves would look cute on her. She could throw on the jean jacket she’s stuffed somewhere at the back of her closet and pair it with some sensible flats. She wonders what Alexander would think if she showed up for their date in this little number.
It’d make him wild.
But then she looks a bit closer at the price tag pinned to the side and deflates. “A hundred-sixty bucks?” she mumbles to herself, incredulous. “What the hell is it made of?”
It’s a lot for one article of clothing, and Eden simply can’t justify the purchase. If she comes at it with a cost-per-use mentality, it’s just not worth it. Sure, payday was Friday and she has more than enough in her account, but those hundred sixty dollars should really be going towards hiring Maxine Kendo. She’s sure Alexander won’t care in the slightest what she chooses to wear.
Except,shecares.
Eden wants to look good. Not just for him, but for herself. She wants to dress up and treat herself and feel confident. She wants to feel like a million bucks tomorrow.
But the pang of guilt in her chest keeps her from stepping inside the store. She needs this money. For her parents. She’s so close to her goal that she can taste it. If she starts spending money on frivolous things, it’ll feel like she’s cheating. Like she’s deciding that her parents aren’t as important. That her own fleeting desires take precedence over finding her family.
How is she supposed to enjoy something that will only serve as a bitter reminder?
She could be a hundred sixty dollars closer to hiring a PI. Or she can buy a pretty dress for the sake of one day, one momentary lapse in resolve.
She eventually finds the strength to walk away.
