Rachyl carefully stepped down from the table onto the stepstool and disappeared into the changing corner. Quickly redressing, she returned out to the table and sat on it again.
"I'm sorry I cussed, it was just a complete shock. It was SO cold." She shivered, then smiled. "So what's next?"
Doctors, Donors, Drivers (invitation, Meegan)
Rachyl satsscrunched against the door in what could be considered stony silence while Meegan drove their rented silver PT Cruiser to the ob/gyn.
"How could she even think it? Jeff? He's as gay as a maypole. Then there's the whole he's a 'he' part."
She silently fumed until they turned into the parking garage. Then it hit her. Turning to Meegan, she asked exasperatedly, "You said that to get a rise out of me, didn't you. Because you knew he'd say yes - he does do everything for us, no matter how odd - because he's gay, because otherwise he'd never have any children of his own."
Without waiting for a response, she leaned across the center console and gave Meegan a kiss on the cheek. "Meegan, I love you but... no."
She stepped out of the car and walked over to open Meegan's door. "Of course, I'm gay too, but he's still... you know. A he."
Closing the door behind her lover, she looked over the car for a few moments. "So does this mean we'll need to buy a car? And eventually a mini-van? You know I never expected," she rambled as she hooked her yellow-jacketed arm around Meegan's, "to become a soccer mom. But with you..."
She looked up at her taller lover and smiled a dazzling smile. "It'll be great."
Rachyl
18 years ago
Meegan
18 years ago
"DOn't worry about it, Rach. I probably would have done the same, maybe a different word choice." Laughing she helped Rachyl into her coat and stuck the script into her own purse. The doctor returned with an inch thick stack of brochures, pamphlets and memo papers. She gave Rachyl a little brown bag, indicating her first weeks worth of vitamins were in there.
"Some times the first script doesn't work right. So try it out for at least three days before filling the prescription. Go turn it into your normal pharmacy, and then I can just call and change it. You ladies have a great day. It was good to see you again, Meegan."
She left the room again and Marie joined them with two more papers. One purple and white and the other blue and white.
"Ok girls, this purple one is for the radiological folks. They need you to call and make an appointment with the mammogram tech. The blue one is the lab. They're three doors down and you just walk on in put your name down and wait your turn. You ladies need anything else?"
Meegan shook her head and gave Marie a warm smile. She had her hands full of pamphlets so the orders went to Rachyl
"Thank you, Marie. We'll be seeing you soon."
"Alright, ya'll have a good day."
She showed them into the waiting room and called back her next patient while she was there. They stood there for a moment. Then Meegan beamed a smile at Rachyl and enfolded the smaller woman in her arms. She was so excited, they were ready to start this adventure!
"Some times the first script doesn't work right. So try it out for at least three days before filling the prescription. Go turn it into your normal pharmacy, and then I can just call and change it. You ladies have a great day. It was good to see you again, Meegan."
She left the room again and Marie joined them with two more papers. One purple and white and the other blue and white.
"Ok girls, this purple one is for the radiological folks. They need you to call and make an appointment with the mammogram tech. The blue one is the lab. They're three doors down and you just walk on in put your name down and wait your turn. You ladies need anything else?"
Meegan shook her head and gave Marie a warm smile. She had her hands full of pamphlets so the orders went to Rachyl
"Thank you, Marie. We'll be seeing you soon."
"Alright, ya'll have a good day."
She showed them into the waiting room and called back her next patient while she was there. They stood there for a moment. Then Meegan beamed a smile at Rachyl and enfolded the smaller woman in her arms. She was so excited, they were ready to start this adventure!
Rachyl
18 years ago
Rachyl smiled into Meegan's breast as they hugged. "Drugs and breast sandwiches and holes in my arm and freezing vagina wedges will be worth it, I think."
The young girl walking through the door into the office proper stared at her, looking like a deer caught in headlights. The door closed behind her, cutting off Rachyl's vision of her face. She giggled. "Maybe that was the wrong choice of words."
"So do you want to head down to the lab, and I'll sign in while you call the tech people?" She hefted the bag of stuff and sheaf of papers.
The young girl walking through the door into the office proper stared at her, looking like a deer caught in headlights. The door closed behind her, cutting off Rachyl's vision of her face. She giggled. "Maybe that was the wrong choice of words."
"So do you want to head down to the lab, and I'll sign in while you call the tech people?" She hefted the bag of stuff and sheaf of papers.
Meegan
18 years ago
"Sure, and I'll call and see about appointments with the A-I and IVF people too. That way we have them all set up today. Do you want a snack or something before they take all that blood?"
She moved to the door and held it open for Rachyl and they walked outside. Wind whipped at them and Meegan just couldn't care, she was much to distracted.
"I probably have something in my purse. Or.."She looked around them quickly and spotted a Starbucks across the street. "There's a Starbucks."
She moved to the door and held it open for Rachyl and they walked outside. Wind whipped at them and Meegan just couldn't care, she was much to distracted.
"I probably have something in my purse. Or.."She looked around them quickly and spotted a Starbucks across the street. "There's a Starbucks."
Rachyl
18 years ago
Rachyl noddedn emphatically. "Food good. Meegan's purse for emergencies."
They headed across the street quickly and entered. Since it was after the early morning but before lunch, it was less occupied than Rachyl had expected.
"I hope they still have those cream cheese pumpkin muffins. Oh and I should probably get orange juice." With the last, she whined in a British accent, "And take my vijjamins..."
She got in line. "Today can we get fresh cheesesteaks?" Rachyl batted her eyelashes flirtingly at Meegan.
They headed across the street quickly and entered. Since it was after the early morning but before lunch, it was less occupied than Rachyl had expected.
"I hope they still have those cream cheese pumpkin muffins. Oh and I should probably get orange juice." With the last, she whined in a British accent, "And take my vijjamins..."
She got in line. "Today can we get fresh cheesesteaks?" Rachyl batted her eyelashes flirtingly at Meegan.
Meegan
18 years ago
Meegan picked up an orange juice from the case in front of the counter and studied the menu. As she contemplated Rachyl's request.
"Ok, but we really need to lay off that kind of stuff. Our diet has been...lacking lately."
When it was their turn, Meegan set the orange juice on the counter.
"Venti non-fat coconut latte, no foam. Rach?"
"Ok, but we really need to lay off that kind of stuff. Our diet has been...lacking lately."
When it was their turn, Meegan set the orange juice on the counter.
"Venti non-fat coconut latte, no foam. Rach?"
Rachyl
18 years ago
Rachyl nodded. "Tomorrow's the start of the Pregnancy Diet. Today's the last day of the Rachyl Glutton diet. Well until pregnancy cravings start."
With a devilish grin, she ordered. "Pumpkin cream cheese muffin, fudge iced brownie, small chocolate milk, and that OJ please."
As the items were prepared, Rachyl fished a twenty from her purse and paid. They sat together near the window but far away from the door, basking in the sun's warmth. "We should probably also investigate nursery furniture while we're out, if we can't get the other appointments today. Since today's a holiday though I imagine a lot of people are off work."
Rachyl stood up and found the stand where the forks and napkins were held, and returned to her table. Picking apart her muffin, she gazed lovingly at Meegan Masters. "Not that we wouldn't play hookie even if we had a choice." She buried her grin behind the bottle of chocolate milk.
With a devilish grin, she ordered. "Pumpkin cream cheese muffin, fudge iced brownie, small chocolate milk, and that OJ please."
As the items were prepared, Rachyl fished a twenty from her purse and paid. They sat together near the window but far away from the door, basking in the sun's warmth. "We should probably also investigate nursery furniture while we're out, if we can't get the other appointments today. Since today's a holiday though I imagine a lot of people are off work."
Rachyl stood up and found the stand where the forks and napkins were held, and returned to her table. Picking apart her muffin, she gazed lovingly at Meegan Masters. "Not that we wouldn't play hookie even if we had a choice." She buried her grin behind the bottle of chocolate milk.
Meegan
18 years ago
Meegan made a face at Rachyl's order. She could have gone for a muffin or something, but not anymore. Instead she'd just watch Rachyl enjoy herself. Then her tummy rumbled.
"Add one of the blueberry scones to that please."
She sipped from her coffee and pulled pieces of scone off to place into her mouth.
"I was thinking we could do a sort of mythical theme. I know this guy that does amazing murals. What do you think?"
"Add one of the blueberry scones to that please."
She sipped from her coffee and pulled pieces of scone off to place into her mouth.
"I was thinking we could do a sort of mythical theme. I know this guy that does amazing murals. What do you think?"
Rachyl
18 years ago
"Mythical? That might be fun," Rachyl agreed, nibbling on a fingerful of muffin. "Though, I think the neighbors would complain if our house suddenly started to look like a castle of legend overnight."
Continuing on blithely, she stated firmly, "You know I'll be the first to get in line for our child's creative development. But I am telling you right now, there is no way in the world I'm allowing my son - or daughter - to watch Teletubbies or Power Rangers. It just won't happen!"
She chugged down her orange juice, then after the final swallow shuddered. "Lovely orange juice." Twitching a second time, she continued, "But Sesame Street would be nice. We'll need to get cable. And child gates. And... Well, probably quite more than I can think of. I'm a bit earlier along in my adulthood than I'd expected to be wanting, let alone planning to have, a child."
Rachyl reached across the table and took Meegan's hand in hers. Gazing into her eyes, she misted slightly. "Well there's one thing I can think of right now that I think I should ask in advance. Please, be honest with me. I know we've been doing great over the past few months, but the next nine or ten months at the very least are going to be trying for both of us. And we certainly need each other to get through it. So..." Rachyl squeezed Meegan's hand again, and brought that talented appendage to her lips to gently graze her knuckles with a kiss. "Thank you."
She brought a napkin to her face to dab at a few stray tears.
Continuing on blithely, she stated firmly, "You know I'll be the first to get in line for our child's creative development. But I am telling you right now, there is no way in the world I'm allowing my son - or daughter - to watch Teletubbies or Power Rangers. It just won't happen!"
She chugged down her orange juice, then after the final swallow shuddered. "Lovely orange juice." Twitching a second time, she continued, "But Sesame Street would be nice. We'll need to get cable. And child gates. And... Well, probably quite more than I can think of. I'm a bit earlier along in my adulthood than I'd expected to be wanting, let alone planning to have, a child."
Rachyl reached across the table and took Meegan's hand in hers. Gazing into her eyes, she misted slightly. "Well there's one thing I can think of right now that I think I should ask in advance. Please, be honest with me. I know we've been doing great over the past few months, but the next nine or ten months at the very least are going to be trying for both of us. And we certainly need each other to get through it. So..." Rachyl squeezed Meegan's hand again, and brought that talented appendage to her lips to gently graze her knuckles with a kiss. "Thank you."
She brought a napkin to her face to dab at a few stray tears.
Meegan
18 years ago
Meegan smiled softly at her lover. Then as she wiped away tears she quirked an eyebrow. "Are you sure you aren't already pregnant?"
She drank from her coffee. Her eyes still scrutinizing Rachyl.
She drank from her coffee. Her eyes still scrutinizing Rachyl.
Rachyl
18 years ago
Rachyl kicked Meegan playfully, lightly, under the table. "Art smass."
She finished the crumbs of her muffin and nursed her remaining chocolate milk. "Alright, so, lab, phone calls, bank?"
"Speaking of the bank," she started after a pause, "Have we decided what we're looking for in a biological donor?" Not quite sure if she was explaining herself correctly, she rambled on, "You know, soup provider. Sperm supplier. That one. The unvisible father body type thing."
She finished the crumbs of her muffin and nursed her remaining chocolate milk. "Alright, so, lab, phone calls, bank?"
"Speaking of the bank," she started after a pause, "Have we decided what we're looking for in a biological donor?" Not quite sure if she was explaining herself correctly, she rambled on, "You know, soup provider. Sperm supplier. That one. The unvisible father body type thing."
Meegan
18 years ago
Meegan glanced around the coffee shop and was glad to see that there was no one close enough to hear Rachyl's words.
"I knew what you meant by the first one." She chuckled and drank from her cup.
"I was thinking tall-ish, fair skin, light hair, high IQ."
She started to clean up their things, tucking most of the trash into one of the pastry bags from their muffins and the rest into the other. Standing she took the lot, plus her cup and Rachyl's empty bottles to the trash. That whole three cups of coffee for breakfast thing, is a really bad idea, but her tummy felt better and Rachyl looked like she felt a bit better.
Offering her hand to her lover, she helped Rachyl to her feet and they headed back across the street toward the Lab.
"I think the only two musts are tall and high IQ, but I would hate for our children to get an unattractive sperm donor. And if all else fails we can have Jeff fill up a cup."
"I knew what you meant by the first one." She chuckled and drank from her cup.
"I was thinking tall-ish, fair skin, light hair, high IQ."
She started to clean up their things, tucking most of the trash into one of the pastry bags from their muffins and the rest into the other. Standing she took the lot, plus her cup and Rachyl's empty bottles to the trash. That whole three cups of coffee for breakfast thing, is a really bad idea, but her tummy felt better and Rachyl looked like she felt a bit better.
Offering her hand to her lover, she helped Rachyl to her feet and they headed back across the street toward the Lab.
"I think the only two musts are tall and high IQ, but I would hate for our children to get an unattractive sperm donor. And if all else fails we can have Jeff fill up a cup."
Rachyl
18 years ago
Rachyl nodded at Meegan's ideas. "All good ideas, to be sure. But why light hair?" She fluffed her crimson tresses. "You love red."
She held the door open for Meegan and they moved inside, basking in the warmth of the heater vent right over the door for a few moments. "Or do you say 'light hair' because it'll balance out any genes that I have for darker hair?"
She giggled at Meegan's repeated Jeff jokes. "You're such a goober."
They walked to the lab, entered, put down their names, and sat and waited. "Boys names now or later?" She winked.
She held the door open for Meegan and they moved inside, basking in the warmth of the heater vent right over the door for a few moments. "Or do you say 'light hair' because it'll balance out any genes that I have for darker hair?"
She giggled at Meegan's repeated Jeff jokes. "You're such a goober."
They walked to the lab, entered, put down their names, and sat and waited. "Boys names now or later?" She winked.
Meegan
18 years ago
"We might as well look now. What else are we going to do? Count ceiling tiles?"
Laughing she pulled out the baby name book and flipped to the boy half of the book.
"Alfred...now there's a name you don't see everyday. Isn't that the name of Batman's butler?"
Laughing she pulled out the baby name book and flipped to the boy half of the book.
"Alfred...now there's a name you don't see everyday. Isn't that the name of Batman's butler?"
Rachyl
18 years ago
Rachyl snickered. "Puh-lease. Al? Alfie? Fred? No. If we went with A, I'd want Adam or Anthony."
The two women went back and forth for almost as long as they did with girls' names, finally settling on Lucas Brandon from Meegan and Christopher Michael from Rachyl. Meegan also received confirmation for their appointment at the sperm bank.
The lab tests were frustrating. The technician missed the vein in Rachyl's left arm several times, leaving her in pain and almost to the point of passing out. Rachyl took a pair of lollipops as consolation prizes on their way out.
As they drove to a bookstore, Rachyl stared forlornly through her jacket, imagining the Texas-sized spot she'd have on her arm for a few days. She considered telling Meegan they wouldn't be able to share a nap later that afternoon, but she'd pop a couple Tylenol and see how she felt.
The two women went back and forth for almost as long as they did with girls' names, finally settling on Lucas Brandon from Meegan and Christopher Michael from Rachyl. Meegan also received confirmation for their appointment at the sperm bank.
The lab tests were frustrating. The technician missed the vein in Rachyl's left arm several times, leaving her in pain and almost to the point of passing out. Rachyl took a pair of lollipops as consolation prizes on their way out.
As they drove to a bookstore, Rachyl stared forlornly through her jacket, imagining the Texas-sized spot she'd have on her arm for a few days. She considered telling Meegan they wouldn't be able to share a nap later that afternoon, but she'd pop a couple Tylenol and see how she felt.
Meegan
18 years ago
Meegan was amazed at the number of pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and post-pregnancy books that the store had to offer, so many that they got their own little title card and everything. They spent nearly forty-five minutes just looking at all the titles and reading the back covers.
At the end they chose, the Mother of all Pregnancy Books, The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy, Belly Laughs, Don't Panic!,The What to Expect When You're Expecting Organizer, A DVD of Pregnancy Yoga, a book about the special difficulty homosexual couples face during conception, pregnancy, birth and the first year, and finally some baby care books;The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two, Gentle Baby Care and Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5.
Meegan could only hope they would be enough. She honestly knew nothing about having a baby, or caring for one, or even what to do when they fell down. She hoped instinct would play a part and that maybe she would do an ok job at this. She would look into parenting classes, perhaps find a teacher that will come to their house. Meegan carried their two bags out to the car and helped Rachyl inside.
They had her mammogram to go to still and then they were done for the day. She'd take Rachyl home and tuck her into bed for a nap. Then she'd try to get some work done. She wanted to flesh out her maternity forms, the get to work on some actual designs. Then maybe later they could get out and look at some baby furniture, but there wasn't any hurry.
She pulled the car into the car into the parking lot of the Nachton General Women's Care Center and found a close spot. They were about ten minutes early for the appointment. She'd have Rachyl check in and go in search of a snack of some kind.
"Still doing ok, Love?"
She asked as she helped Rachyl out of the car. Meegan thought she looked a little pale and tired. That silly woman butchered her arm and then they had to take seven full viles of blood, most of them the biggest size they had.
"Why don't you go check in, I'm going to go find you something to eat."
At the end they chose, the Mother of all Pregnancy Books, The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy, Belly Laughs, Don't Panic!,The What to Expect When You're Expecting Organizer, A DVD of Pregnancy Yoga, a book about the special difficulty homosexual couples face during conception, pregnancy, birth and the first year, and finally some baby care books;The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two, Gentle Baby Care and Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5.
Meegan could only hope they would be enough. She honestly knew nothing about having a baby, or caring for one, or even what to do when they fell down. She hoped instinct would play a part and that maybe she would do an ok job at this. She would look into parenting classes, perhaps find a teacher that will come to their house. Meegan carried their two bags out to the car and helped Rachyl inside.
They had her mammogram to go to still and then they were done for the day. She'd take Rachyl home and tuck her into bed for a nap. Then she'd try to get some work done. She wanted to flesh out her maternity forms, the get to work on some actual designs. Then maybe later they could get out and look at some baby furniture, but there wasn't any hurry.
She pulled the car into the car into the parking lot of the Nachton General Women's Care Center and found a close spot. They were about ten minutes early for the appointment. She'd have Rachyl check in and go in search of a snack of some kind.
"Still doing ok, Love?"
She asked as she helped Rachyl out of the car. Meegan thought she looked a little pale and tired. That silly woman butchered her arm and then they had to take seven full viles of blood, most of them the biggest size they had.
"Why don't you go check in, I'm going to go find you something to eat."
Rachyl
18 years ago
The bookstore was a blur; after checkout Rachyl instinctively reached for the bag with her left hand only to twinge in pain and nearly drop it over the counter. So she growled at it and picked it up with her right, until Meegan coaxed it away from her.
Meegan parked and, helping her out of the car, Rachyl whined a little, mostly joking but serious as she closed the door behind her. "You know, I'm not one for wishing for big things, though that three hundred million Powerball would be a fun diversion, but the one thing I really want now is one of those contactless, bloodless, pokeless, prodless air scanners they have on Star Trek."
Standing on her tippytoes, she wrapped her arms gingerly around her lover and nuzzled cheek to cheek for a moment. "I think that if I had been a bit more prepared for the pain it wouldn't be so bad. Like if I kicked that idiot technician in her knee or something. Then turnabout would be fair play."
Feeling a little better with the mental image of repressed revenge, she smiled finally. "Check in sounds good. This part's going to be the easy part, right? With just a woman with really cold hands fondling my breasts for no reason?"
Secure in that delusion, she headed through the entrance to the reception area. She signed in, grabbed a Readers' Digest from a wall magazine rack and plopped down in a chair, waiting for Meegan.
Meegan parked and, helping her out of the car, Rachyl whined a little, mostly joking but serious as she closed the door behind her. "You know, I'm not one for wishing for big things, though that three hundred million Powerball would be a fun diversion, but the one thing I really want now is one of those contactless, bloodless, pokeless, prodless air scanners they have on Star Trek."
Standing on her tippytoes, she wrapped her arms gingerly around her lover and nuzzled cheek to cheek for a moment. "I think that if I had been a bit more prepared for the pain it wouldn't be so bad. Like if I kicked that idiot technician in her knee or something. Then turnabout would be fair play."
Feeling a little better with the mental image of repressed revenge, she smiled finally. "Check in sounds good. This part's going to be the easy part, right? With just a woman with really cold hands fondling my breasts for no reason?"
Secure in that delusion, she headed through the entrance to the reception area. She signed in, grabbed a Readers' Digest from a wall magazine rack and plopped down in a chair, waiting for Meegan.
Meegan
18 years ago
Meegan had no idea. She'd read somewhere that they smash your breast in a big machine several different times, but she wasn't going to disillusion Rachyl over it. She placed a soft kiss of her lover's cheek at the door to the radiology department and went in search of snack food.
She was directed to a small cafeteria and was pleasantly surprised they were serving nutritious lunches. She selected two turkey sandwiches, with tomato and lettuce, and swiss cheese, two yogurt cups, two bananas and a bottle of green tea for Rachyl and a bottle of water for herself. The entire thing cost her just over eight dollars another surprise for her. She carried everything in a little brown paper bag and joined Rachyl after inquiring about how much longer it would be. It seemed they were running about fifteen minutes behind, so Rachyl had plenty of time to eat.
"Here you go. A Clinic Picnic." She gave Rachyl a napkin and began taking their lunch from the bag.
She was directed to a small cafeteria and was pleasantly surprised they were serving nutritious lunches. She selected two turkey sandwiches, with tomato and lettuce, and swiss cheese, two yogurt cups, two bananas and a bottle of green tea for Rachyl and a bottle of water for herself. The entire thing cost her just over eight dollars another surprise for her. She carried everything in a little brown paper bag and joined Rachyl after inquiring about how much longer it would be. It seemed they were running about fifteen minutes behind, so Rachyl had plenty of time to eat.
"Here you go. A Clinic Picnic." She gave Rachyl a napkin and began taking their lunch from the bag.
Rachyl
18 years ago
It wasn't until Rachyl saw Meegan unbag the food that she realized she could eat a horse. Well, maybe not a horse, but a full cow, medium, maybe with a pepper-herb rub, oh and a nice steamed side of asparagus...
She lifted one of the turkey sandwiches to her mouth and, as soon as she was about to take a bite, the office door opened and her name was called. "Figures." She handed her sandwich back to Meegan and stood to follow the nurse.
"Please remove your jacket and hang it here," the woman pointed as she walked by. Rachyl was taken aback; this woman had the warmth of a frozen candle in Antarctica. She removed her jacket and hung it, then turned to find the nurse standing nearby. "Please stand on the scale and weigh yourself."
Rachyl stepped up onto the scale and weighed herself. 119.5. "Bah, muffin and two drinks..." She stepped down and was escorted into an exam room with a strange looking machine and a small curtained area. "Please remove your sweater and bra and put on one of the wraps hanging in the corner, then sit down."
Brow furrowed, Rachyl followed instructions. Hanging her sweater, cami, and bra, she shrugged into the wrap. Paper-thin cotton lined a soft fuzzy backing, she felt like she was wearing a peach skin. She moved out of the curtained-off area and sat down.
The nurse began to question her. Name, disease history, height and so forth. When she got to age, she seemed surprised at Rachyl's response. Looking her up and down, she asked, "You're barely twentysix, why are you getting a mammogram?"
Rachyl responded, still a little put off by the coldness, "Planned parenthood suggests it."
"Are you pregnant now?"
"No."
"Ah." The technician asked Rachyl to stand in front of the machine, which she did. Taller than herself, it looked almost like the dental x-ray machine from her last dentist's visit over a year ago. But instead of a head-height round crown, it had a chest-height shelf. A button was pushed, and the shelf split. "Please place your right breast on the plate. There may be some discomfort as the plate closes and compresses; this is normal and will cause no permanent harm."
Rachyl was about halfway through the motions of lifting her breast onto the plate when she did a double-take and turned to the technician. "Compression?"
***
Rachyl returned to the waiting room. Arms crossed just below her breasts, her jacket laid across them, she was pouting; a photograph of her face would have served in Merriam Webster's dictionary for the poster example of "sullen." She sat down next to Meegan and stared at the chair across the aisle.
She heard Meegan take an intake of breath as if to speak; she responded "Shh."
A few seconds past, and another intake. "Shh."
Meegan moved, facing her; "Shh." Her lover stood up and sat in the chair across from Rachyl, but she didn't notice; the designer leaned down to be in Rachyl's line of sight and opened her mouth. "Shh." "Look, we can do the whole Dr. Evil-to-Scott 'shh' scene, but I really just don't want to say anything except 'ow.'"
She lifted one of the turkey sandwiches to her mouth and, as soon as she was about to take a bite, the office door opened and her name was called. "Figures." She handed her sandwich back to Meegan and stood to follow the nurse.
"Please remove your jacket and hang it here," the woman pointed as she walked by. Rachyl was taken aback; this woman had the warmth of a frozen candle in Antarctica. She removed her jacket and hung it, then turned to find the nurse standing nearby. "Please stand on the scale and weigh yourself."
Rachyl stepped up onto the scale and weighed herself. 119.5. "Bah, muffin and two drinks..." She stepped down and was escorted into an exam room with a strange looking machine and a small curtained area. "Please remove your sweater and bra and put on one of the wraps hanging in the corner, then sit down."
Brow furrowed, Rachyl followed instructions. Hanging her sweater, cami, and bra, she shrugged into the wrap. Paper-thin cotton lined a soft fuzzy backing, she felt like she was wearing a peach skin. She moved out of the curtained-off area and sat down.
The nurse began to question her. Name, disease history, height and so forth. When she got to age, she seemed surprised at Rachyl's response. Looking her up and down, she asked, "You're barely twentysix, why are you getting a mammogram?"
Rachyl responded, still a little put off by the coldness, "Planned parenthood suggests it."
"Are you pregnant now?"
"No."
"Ah." The technician asked Rachyl to stand in front of the machine, which she did. Taller than herself, it looked almost like the dental x-ray machine from her last dentist's visit over a year ago. But instead of a head-height round crown, it had a chest-height shelf. A button was pushed, and the shelf split. "Please place your right breast on the plate. There may be some discomfort as the plate closes and compresses; this is normal and will cause no permanent harm."
Rachyl was about halfway through the motions of lifting her breast onto the plate when she did a double-take and turned to the technician. "Compression?"
***
Rachyl returned to the waiting room. Arms crossed just below her breasts, her jacket laid across them, she was pouting; a photograph of her face would have served in Merriam Webster's dictionary for the poster example of "sullen." She sat down next to Meegan and stared at the chair across the aisle.
She heard Meegan take an intake of breath as if to speak; she responded "Shh."
A few seconds past, and another intake. "Shh."
Meegan moved, facing her; "Shh." Her lover stood up and sat in the chair across from Rachyl, but she didn't notice; the designer leaned down to be in Rachyl's line of sight and opened her mouth. "Shh." "Look, we can do the whole Dr. Evil-to-Scott 'shh' scene, but I really just don't want to say anything except 'ow.'"
Meegan
18 years ago
Meegan pulled her lips between her teeth, and picked up the bag she'd repacked after Rachyl had gone into the exam room. She held a hand out to the smaller woman, and helped her to stand. Once outside she put Rachyl into the Cruiser, then went back inside to pay the bill. She'd had to nearly throttle the receptionist to get a straight answer out of her. Meegan could pay for Rachyl, but only after the procedure was complete. As they billed per picture and not on a flat rate. The woman had been reluctant because Meegan was not a relative.
She paid quickly and returned to the car. Once inside she drove with her tongue pressed against the roof of her mouth to keep from talking. She wanted to soothe and comfort with words, but she knew Rachyl would just shush her again.
((Meegan and Rachyl out. Lock up, please.))
She paid quickly and returned to the car. Once inside she drove with her tongue pressed against the roof of her mouth to keep from talking. She wanted to soothe and comfort with words, but she knew Rachyl would just shush her again.
((Meegan and Rachyl out. Lock up, please.))