Where There's Smoke

“Now,” Lara said, setting the chart aside, “why did Mr. Tackett bring you to see me?”

“I asked him to. I had to.” Her face crumpled and her lower lip fell victim to more brutalizing. Tears streamed down her plump cheeks.

Lara, believing she knew the cause of Helen’s distress, cut to the heart of the problem. “Do you think you’re pregnant?”

“Oh, jeez. I’m so stupid!” With that, Helen flung herself onto the examination table, drew her knees to her chest, and began sobbing uncontrollably.

Lara moved swiftly to her side and took her hand again. “Helen, calm down. We don’t know anything for certain yet. You might be crying over nothing. A false alarm.”

She kept her voice calm and soothing, but she wanted to grind her teeth. She wished she had a double-barreled shotgun, loaded and aimed at Key Tackett’s testicles. Bedding wayward housewives like Darcy Winston was one thing; seducing high school girls was quite another.

Lara smoothed back strands of Helen’s hair. “When was your last period?”

“Six weeks ago.”

“So you’ve only missed one? That doesn’t necessarily mean you’re pregnant.”

Helen bobbed her head emphatically. “Yes it does. I’m never late.”

Perhaps, Lara thought, but there were myriad reasons for delayed menses, only one of which was pregnancy. Still, she had learned that patients were often the best authorities on their own bodies. She couldn’t blithely dismiss Helen’s conclusion. “Have you had sexual intercourse?”

“Yes.”

“Without using any contraception?”

Helen’s head wobbled up and down in answer.

Lara was dismayed that high school students were still negligent in their use of condoms, which were the simplest and least expensive, yet reliable, protection against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. In a community like Eden Pass, open discussion about these safeguards was certain to generate opposition from conservative parents and religious groups. Nevertheless, it was vital—indeed a life or death matter—to acquaint teenagers with the risks they were taking if they were sexually active and didn’t take precautions.

“Any breast tenderness?”

“Some. No more than usual. But anyway, I did one of those home pregnancy tests.”

“It was positive?”

“No question.”

“They’re fairly reliable, but there’s always a margin for error in any test.” Lara gave her a hand up. “Go into the bathroom and get a urine specimen. I can do a preliminary test tonight.”

“Okay. But I know I’m pregnant.”

“Have you ever been pregnant before?”

“No. But I know. If I am, he’ll kill me.”

She retreated into the adjoining toilet. Thinking of Key Tackett sitting complacently in her waiting room made Lara want to confront him immediately and convey her disgust. But her patient came first.

“I left it on the lid of the tank,” Helen said when she emerged.

“Fine. Lie down on the table and try to relax.”

In a few minutes, Helen’s worst fear was once again confirmed. “I knew it,” she wailed when Lara told her that the indications were positive. She began to cry again. Lara placed her arms around her and held her until the sobs became dry, racking hiccups.

“Until your pregnancy is confirmed beyond any doubt, I’d rather not give you a sedative. Would you like something to drink?”

“A Coke? Please.”

Lara left her alone only long enough to fetch the soft drink. When she returned, Helen was weeping quietly but was more composed. She took several greedy sips of the cola.