“I don’t know. Maybe if this were happening during the zombie apocalypse? The doctors and nurses would be way busier, and you’d have to wait forever to get an appointment.”
“Oh God!” The mention of nurses reminded her that Gabe’s sister-in-law worked in this hospital. “Sandra must know. She’s a nurse here. Or maybe she doesn’t. Is there any way you can find Dr. Ingalls? I need to ask the doctor if she can keep it to herself.”
“I’ll try. Will you be okay by yourself?”
Misty moved her arm and stared at her friend. “What do you think I’m going to do? Give myself a coat-hanger abortion while you’re gone?”
“I…oh, hell. I don’t know. I was just trying to… Never mind. I’ll go find the doctor.”
“I’m sorry, Jules. I’m angry, but not at you.”
Julie left, thank God. Misty had to think. What could she do? This was a disaster. If only she didn’t have MS too. It would still be a disaster, but less of one.
Why did things have to happen all at once? She was just preparing herself for the diagnosis of MS. Now this. She’d almost rather deal with a zombie apocalypse.
A few moments later, Dr. Ingalls returned, with Julie right behind her.
Misty waited until her friend had closed the door. “Sandra Fierro is the father’s sister-in-law. I’m not ready to tell him yet. Does she know? Is there any way you can keep her in the dark for a while?”
Dr. Ingalls gave her a sympathetic look. “I don’t know if she’s aware of it or not. I can’t keep her from peeking at your chart if she decides to.”
“Isn’t there something about doctor–patient confidentiality?”
“That pertains to people outside the hospital. Hospital personnel have to communicate with each other regarding patient care. They sign a form saying they’ll keep any information they learn about patients confidential. I can remind her of that.”
Misty nodded sadly. “Thank you.”
“May I ask why you’re not ready to tell the father?”
Misty was tempted to say “No, you may not.” But there was no reason she couldn’t tell her doctor that Gabe had just been released from another hospital with bad news of his own. He couldn’t work until the fire department’s doctor cleared him. And he wasn’t happy about waiting around and twiddling his thumbs.
“It’s just bad timing. I’ll tell him as soon as the time is right.”
Dr. Ingalls patted her arm. “If you need anything, give me a call.”
I need a miracle, Misty thought. She couldn’t get an abortion—this was Gabe’s child, and on a deep, secret level, she wanted it. Desperately.
It might be the only part of Gabe she could have and love long-term. She wouldn’t expect Gabe to marry her. Others might, but that’s not how she wanted her relationship with him to play out.
The doctor left as soon as she was confident Misty was in a stable frame of mind. Julie agreed to stay with her all afternoon. Misty got up off the table and made Julie turn around while she put on her underwear.
“Seriously? We’re both girls here. I’m probably going to be your birth coach, and I’ll see a whole lot more of you, if you know what I mean.”
Misty halted with her arm half in her sweater. “What makes you think you’re going to be my birth coach?”
“I thought Mr. Handsome disappeared after the night of your party, never to return. Did he come back?”
“Yeah. He came over the next day. He was there when my house blew up.”
Julie smiled. “I’d say something about the sparks between you two setting off that explosion, but it’s probably too soon.”
Misty pulled her sweater over her head. “Ya think?”
“So, how are you going to tell him? And when?”
She sat down to put on her jeans. Her balance was still questionable. “As I told the doctor, I don’t know when. And I don’t knowhoweither.”
Misty started tearing up again. She tried some deep breathing and fanned her face.
