Jill very quietly said, “My mother didn’t teach me much. And I’ve never had a physical. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Irene’s mouth dropped, then she said, “This may be a shock to you, she is going to look at ALL of your body. If you can’t handle this, let me know now. And by all, I mean all…like inside and such.”
Jill sat in silence for a minute, and said, “Stay with me in the room, and I will do it. I have heard of it, but nobody ever did it to me.”
Irene’s heart broke a little, and she said, “I won’t leave you alone, I promise. I don’t know what the deal is with Mike, but he’s a good guy. He won’t hurt you either. Now let’s go in and do this.”
Mike was still at the office when his phone buzzed…twice. One from Irene, letting him know they were leaving the Doctor’s office. The other from the doctor that said “Call me ASAP”. Mike immediately called her. “Doctor Margaret Shuman, how may I help you?”
Mike laughed and said, “Still so formal after all these years! Apparently you have something I need to know.”
Maggie immediately became serious, “Look, I don’t know anything about this girl, or what is up with you two, but here is what I know. One, she probably has chlamydia. I have given her the antibiotics, she must take them for 14 days, and make sure she does. Two, there is evidence of past….trauma…if you understand what I mean.”
“I completely understand. How far in the past?”
“Long enough for it to heal, but there is some bruising in the area now. I suspect someone failed to go through with something recently. She’s broken inside, you know. Be kind to her, she needs it.”
“Thanks Maggie. Send me the bill, and I never heard from you today. HIPAA and all. I will have to get you a bonus for this one.” They said their mutual goodbyes and hung up. Mike decided that Jill was one of the strongest people he had ever known as he headed home, not wanting her to be alone.
When he came in, he was met with a surprise. She walked up to him and slapped him. Hard. “What the hell! What did I do now?” he said rubbing his face.
“You didn’t tell me what kind of appointment that was! Damn it, I needed to know that! Do you know that I have NEVER had that done to me? You can’t do that to me!” She stormed off to her room, shut the door and locked it. Mike sat on the couch, nonplussed, and gave her a few minutes.
He opened a couple of beers and went and knocked on her door lightly. “Go away,” she said, but quietly this time.
“I brought you an apology beer. Can we talk?”
He heard footsteps. The door opened slightly, and she peeked out. “No more surprises!” she said. “I’m not good with things like that.”
He opened the door and invited her out to the deck, holding her hand. “Look, you have to understand some things too. You haven’t told me anything about yourself, so I don’t know when I’m going to step on my dick. You have to let me in, or I can’t help you.”
Abruptly, she asked, “Do you have any tequila? I can’t do this sober. I can’t tell you everything, but I will give you some. I will tell you about the last two weeks, it should give you a clue.” Mike went inside and brought out a bottle, two shot glasses, some limes and salt. She smiled wryly and said, “Prepared, aren’t you?”