Mistaken Identity (Identity 1)

She opened her mouth to speak and the door opened. A tow-haired middle-aged doctor with kind, blue eyes and a clipboard walked in.

“Welcome back, Sleeping Beauty. I’m Doctor Singer. You gave us all quite a scare.”

“Sorry.” She ducked her head.

“No need to fret, I surmise you didn’t realize how depleted you were.” He turned to Jett. “I’m going to ask you to leave so I can give her the results.”

“No, he should stay.”

Jett squeezed her hands. “Sas, are you sure?”

“Positive.” Oh what a play on words. The issue she’d been ignoring was about to come and smack her in the face.

“Very well then, first off, she’s not anorexic by any means, Mr. Walker. I know you were very concerned about that. Do you have a history of that, Ms. Collins?”

“No.” she shook her head.

“Aaah, I see. I’m not sure if you’re aware of it, but you’re pregnant.” With those words the final nail in the coffin of hope was laid.

“I’d begun to suspect.”’

“How long have you been sick?”

“The past few weeks.”

“Do you have any idea how far along you’d be.”

She did the calculations in her head. “Six weeks?”

“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,” Jett whispered.

She snuck a glance to her left. He was pale, his features were drawn, and his lush lips were pinched into a straight line.

“Is Mr. Walker the father?”

“You bet your ass I am, and if you leak a word of this I’ll slap a lawsuit on you and this hospital so fast your heads will spin.”

“We don’t work like that here in Somerville, Mr. Walker. We respect folks’ privacy, even famous ones.”

Pink rose in Jett’s cheeks. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be disrespectful—”

“It’s okay. It’s a lot to take in at once.” Doctor Singer smiled. “It’s you I’m worried about, young lady. You need to make sure you’re getting enough water, start a prenatal vitamin immediately, and make an appointment with an obstetrician. Are you dizzy often?”

“No, this is the first time.”

“Good.” Dr. Singer nodded. “Once we get you up to snuff with your fluids we can let you get out of here.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. You take care of yourself, Ms. Collins.”

“Oh she will, believe me.” His voice was gruff, and his gaze burned a hole in the side of her head. She focused her attention on the blanket beneath her. Numbness filled her. Baby? How? They’d been so careful! Every time she heard abstinence was the only true form of birth control she’d snickered, but the shit was true. She swallowed. Her tongue felt glued to the roof her mouth, and shame filled her. This could ruin him!

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

“Hey it’s okay, take a deep breath. Don’t panic. It can’t be good for you, er, either of you.”

She peered over at him tears in her eyes. “I am so sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen.”