Page 14 of Stick Around
“Besides,” Meg shrugged, returning to her Doritos, “what’s the worst that could happen? So maybe he breaks your heart. Big whoop. We’ll eat ice cream and watch sappy rom-coms together in our sweat pants. Just don’t screw him without a condom.” She winked at Grace and laughed.
But Grace didn’t laugh along. Instead, she grew quiet and lowered her eyes to her salad.
“Grace,” Meg said through a mouthful of chips. “Why aren’t you laughing?”
Grace cleared her throat and took a small sip of her water.
“Are you trying to be funny right now?” Meg turned her face slightly, eyeing Grace. Grace opened her mouth to reply, but when she met Meg’s eyes, she clamped her lips shut again. “You did not,” Meg said. “Girl, you better tell me you did not have unprotected sex with Billy Miller, or so help me…” Grace winced. “Oh. My. God.” Meg stared at her, astounded.
“I don’t know. It just, kind of, happened. We were both so emotional and everything was happening so fast and it was kind of a blur. I know it was stupid, Meg. Okay? I know.”
“Look, I’m not going to say anything except, you need to get an STD check done. I’m not trying to be a bitch, and I’m not saying that to, like, criticize Billy or whatever. But we all know what his reputation is. I can see you’re in some kind of insane cloud of love or lust whatever this—” she swirled her hand in Grace’s direction, “is. So, as your best friend, I am going to be your voice of reason. Go inside and get an STD test, right now.”
“Fine,” she relented. “I will. I promise.”
“Thank you.” Meg picked her apple up off the table and rolled it to Grace. “And as payback for making me pull the best friend card, I’m not eating the damn apple. So there.” She took a swig from her soda can as Grace’s frown tipped into a smile.
* * *
Grace crackedher knuckles and studied a back pain poster hanging on the wall. The paper on the bed crinkled under her bottom as she shifted her hips. She checked her watch again. Finally, the door unlatched with a soft click and she turned her head to greet the doctor.
“Hey. Sorry for keeping you waiting in here.”
“Oh gosh, it’s no problem. Thank you for doing this today, Dr. Ward. I could have made an appointment.”
“Grace, you’ve got to call me Olivia. And it’s no problem. I don’t want you worrying or waiting any longer than necessary.” She pulled a wheeled stool up to the small desk and began typing on the computer. “So, I’ve sent your swab and samples over to the lab. We should get your results from the lab in a few days. They’ve been pretty quick lately.”
“Okay.” Grace hopped down from the bed, the paper cover rustling behind her.
“Before you go, there’s one more thing we should discuss.” Dr. Ward tapped her pen on her thigh. Grace’s stomach fluttered as she sat back down. “We should talk about emergency contraception.”
“Oh.” Grace shifted in her seat. “Right.”
“Since the unprotected sex happened within the last forty-eight hours, an emergency contraceptive pill will be around 85% effective in preventing an unplanned pregnancy. How would you feel if you were to become pregnant, Grace?”
If I were to become pregnant? Me? Pregnant with Billy’s child?Her heartbeat hammered in her ears and she fidgeted with the drawstring of her scrubs. A picture of Billy laying beside her on a soft white bed, smiling and cradling her pregnant belly flashed into her mind. A rush of warmth radiated out from her chest to her fingertips. She wiggled her hands, trying to shake it away.
“Umm,” she stammered, “I don’t know. I hadn’t really thought about it. I mean, I always wanted to have kids someday, but later.” She looked away from the doctor, fixing her eyes on a poster for migraine medication. “Honestly, I don’t know. I haven't considered what I would do in this situation because I don’t get into this kind of situation.” She looked back to the doctor. “Ever.”
Dr. Ward nodded. “Grace, you won’t get any judgment from me. Your personal life is your business and I won’t think any differently of you, no matter what you decide. In fact, you don’t even have to tell me. I’ll write you a prescription, and you can use it or throw it away.”
Grace nodded. “I have five days to decide, right?”
“Well, the efficacy will decrease the longer you wait. By seventy-two hours following intercourse you’re down to about 58%.” Dr. Ward clicked a few buttons on the computer monitor and a sheet of paper emerged from the small printer sitting beside the monitor. “Here you go. The pharmacy here keeps these in stock so no worries about having to go to the city or anything.”
Grace took the paper and folded it up. “Okay.”
Dr. Ward stood up and pushed her chair under the desk. “If you want to talk, I’m here.” She squeezed Grace’s shoulder before walking out.
Grace stayed behind, appreciating the silence and solitude for a moment. She turned the folded paper over in her hands.
Of course I’ll fill the prescription. Why didn’t I say so when she asked?She shook her head at herself.Last night was amazing, but this is real life now, not a fantasy. This is the smart thing to do. I’ll run over on my next coffee break so I can take it when I get home tonight. Definitely. It’s decided.
7
Billy
“Brian Avery wasn’t a churchgoingman. He loved his neighbor, and he did unto others, as he would have others do unto him. But he didn’t do those things from within the walls of any church. Which is why Brian’s family have gathered at the Snowbrook Community Hall today, a place Brian loved dearly, to celebrate his life and mourn his passing.”
