Sleeping Alone by Bretton Barbara

Author:Bretton, Barbara [Bretton, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary
Publisher: Free Spirit Press
Published: 2014-11-27T08:00:00+00:00

* * *

“Okay, Dee.” Dr. Schulman peeled off her plastic gloves and tossed them in the proper receptacle. “Get dressed, and we’ll talk in my office.”

“I’ll live?” She sat up and readjusted her paper dressing gown around her chest. She hated the brittle tone her voice got whenever she was nervous.

“You’ll live.” Dr. Schulman turned toward the door. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

“Easy for you to say,” Dee muttered as the doctor closed the door behind her. It wasn’t Dr. Schulman’s cellulite and spider veins that had been on display for all and sundry to see.

Was there any experience more traumatic than the yearly gynecological exam? She’d take a mammogram any day over being spread-eagled on a Star Wars table. And what was with those stirrups? What had the first gynecologist been thinking when he came up with that sadomasochistic fantasy item? She was sure it had been a male invention. No woman in her right mind would have linked horseback riding with a cold speculum.

Five minutes later she took a seat in Dr. Schulman’s office.

“We’ll have the Pap results back in a week or so,” the doctor said, perusing her notes. “When do you want to schedule your mammogram?”

“I’ll get back to you on that,” Dee said, withholding a shudder. “The budget can only stand so much this month.”

“You should talk to your boss about instituting an HMO plan,” Dr. Schulman said. “It might make more sense for you.”

There was no point reminding the doctor that she wasn’t some high-priced executive at a Fortune 500 company. The thought of the Starlight ever being able to offer an HMO was downright laughable.

The doctor leaned forward, her dark eyes bright with professional concern. “So now it’s your turn, Dee. Any questions, concerns, problems you’d like to talk about with me?”

Dee wondered if the doctor used that same annoying tone of voice with her husband. “Yes, there is,” she said, pushing away the thought. “I want to go back on the pill.”

“Well.” The doctor leaned back in her seat. “I feel obliged to remind you that while the effectiveness of the pill is undeniable, there are still some valid and pertinent reasons for the use of condoms.”

“I understand,” Dee said, “and I agree, but I still want to go back on the pill.”

“You’re in a steady relationship?”

“I’m not in a physical relationship at all,” Dee said, growing annoyed. “I’m thinking ahead.”

It’s called wishful thinking, Doc, and I’ve got it dawn to an art form.

Brian’s Thanksgiving Day visit had had an enormous impact on her, though it probably wasn’t the impact he’d hoped for. He had wanted her to swoon at his feet, totally overcome by desire for him... totally overwhelmed by admiration for all he’d accomplished. The truth was, there had been something pathetic about him that day, a look of loneliness, of vulnerability, that she hadn’t seen since they were in high school. And once again, it had drawn her to him. She’d told herself she was immune, and over the years she’d actually come to believe it.

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