“Nothing we can do right now, Dad. Like I said, it’s normal now, but it won’t be in a month or two. So, we’ll keep an eye on it and make sure her vitamin table is level and that she isn’t deficient in anything.”
“Does that mean you’ll be drawing blood today?” Heather asked.
“Just a vial. We’ll check your hCG levels to make sure you’re on track and measure the vitamins and minerals in your system to make sure you aren’t lacking in something that could be making your symptoms worse. I’ll just do a quick check of some things. Listen to your lungs, test your reflexes, check your eyes. Then, I’ll send you to the lab, and you’ll be good to go.”
“Will we be having an ultrasound today?” I asked.
“Not this time, but the next visit will have one. We’re down a technician today, so next time, we’ll get that done and nail down a more accurate due date.”
“Sounds like a plan,” I said.
The doctor checked her out and everything seemed to be okay, though he tested her reflexes a little more than I figured he would. A look of concern crossed his face, and I felt my body tense.
“Is something wrong?” I asked.
“It might be premature, but her reflexes are a little dull. It could be from her exhaustion, depending on how bad it is. If she isn’t eating much, she could be deficient in some vitamins, which is easily corrected with a stronger prenatal. But I do have to note it, so I want you to be aware of it.”
I got up from my seat as Heather turned her worried eyes to me.
“It’s okay,” I said as I rubbed her back. “We’ll get your bloodwork done. Then, we’ll see about getting you some good food since you don’t seem to be as sick today.”
But my sentiment didn’t abate the worry in her eyes.
I helped her to the lab and sat there as she got her blood drawn. The technician in there wasn’t a fan of my sticking around, but I wasn't letting Heather out of my sight. The second they stuck her with that needle, I was glad I had stayed. She started to sway, and her face went pale. I got up from my chair and steadied her shoulders as the lab technician quickly took her blood and patched her up. I massaged her arm while the nurse got her some water to drink. They took her pulse and waited until she was strong enough to stand on her feet before they released us.
As soon as I got outside with her, I picked her up and carried her to the truck.
“How are you feeling?” I asked as I slid her into her seat.
“Still a little cloudy.”
“Then let’s get you home and we can get you laid down, okay? Why didn’t you tell me you didn’t like needles?”
“It’s not the needles,” she said.
&nb
sp; “Squeamish with blood?”
She shook her head, and that really started worrying me.
I hopped into my truck and cranked it up, preparing to race back to the cabin. Something was amiss, and I didn't like it. I looked over at Heather who had her forehead propped up on the glass window, and I reached over to squeeze her knee so she would look at me.
“Heather. You okay?” I asked.
“I’m really tired. This exhaustion is rough,” she said.
“I don’t think you’re tired, Heather.”
“What do you mean?”
The sound of tires squealing caught my ear, and I looked into the rearview mirror. A car pulled out into traffic behind us from the doctor’s office, and I recognized the person behind the wheel of the car. They had been in the corner of the waiting room when we first walked in.
“Heather. Call Nicole,” I said.
“What?” she asked.
“Listen to me. I need you to stay calm. Take out your phone and call Nicole. Tell her to get to my cabin now.”