Water in May by Ismee Williams

Author:Ismee Williams
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Abrams
Published: 2017-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

I sit in the waiting room. I don’t have an appointment today, but I said I’d go to the doctor. Don’t know why I didn’t think of coming to hang out here before. It’s better than the library. Clean, comfy sofas all done up with matching cushions. Views of the Hudson. People wait here all day, going in and out of appointments. I totally fit in, seeing as I’m pregnant. Don’t matter my age. No one here’s gonna ask me why I’m not at school. And there’s food.

I put down the preggo magazine I’m reading. I stand, slowly, and stretch my arm. My back and shoulder ache. I’m gonna be bruised all up and down to Sunday. I take baby steps to the fridge for another juice. Swipe my fourth pack of cookies. Head back for the chair in the corner, the one behind the column where no one can see me.

“Ms. Pujols?”

Coño. The lady at the front desk saw me. I’ve been here so much, she knows me. I make eye contact but don’t say nothing.

“Who are you seeing today?”

“Dr. Love.” I say it without thinking.

Front Desk Lady’s eyebrows scrunch up. “He usually sees patients up here on Mondays and Thursdays. Are you sure you have the date correct?”

Coño. And coño. Now I’m gonna have to go. That’s what I get for being greedy. But Angelo really likes the cookies and juice. I sling on my coat. Pain cuts up my side, making my eyes water. I don’t want to go back to the library. I just want to stay here. Where I can sit and be warm and not move for a while.

“Hold on, honey. Let me page Dr. Love for you. You don’t look so good—if you don’t mind me saying.”

I hate when people feel sorry for me. Plus, I don’t want to see Doc. Not like this.

I head for the bathroom still not looking at Front Desk Lady. I try to wash dirt off my cheek. It doesn’t come off. ’Cause it’s not dirt.

I slip out of the bathroom, planning to head down the hall for the back exit. But Doc is here. Waiting for me.

He’s smiling. His usual. It only takes a second for shock to slam his smile to the side.

“Mari? What happened?” His lips flatten. His fingers curl. It makes me think of claws. I’ve never seen angry lion before.

I look at my feet. “Nothing,” I choke out. I will not cry. I will not cry.

“Stephanie, is 1202 available?” Doc calls over to Front Desk Lady. She answers and he takes my arm. I try not to wince. He notices and lets go.

“Mari.” He whispers it, like a scolding. Then, in his regular doctor voice he says, “Follow me.”

He shuts the door behind us. Out of habit, I turn to the exam bed. It’s way high.

“Talk to me,” he orders. “I knew something must be wrong. You never mix up your appointments.”

I lean against the table. No way I can climb up with my knee all busted.

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