Where There's Smoke
“I’m a person, too.”
The girl smiled, more at ease now.
“When do you start cheerleading practice?”
“How’d you know I was a cheerleader?”
“The booster club sent me an application for membership.” Lara examined her eardrums with an otoscope. “I saw your picture.”
“We start practicing next week.”
“So soon? Say ‘ah.’ ” Using a tongue depressor, she looked at Heather’s throat. “School doesn’t start for another month yet.”
“Ahhhh. Yeah, but we want to be good. Last year we won several trophies.”
“Swallow for me. Any tenderness in your glands here?” Lara asked as she felt Heather’s neck.
“No, ma’am.”
“Good. Take care of your throat. If you notice any soreness, let me know. Sore throats and hoarseness are inherent to yell leaders.”
“Okay. Sure.”
Lara lifted the drape and placed the stethoscope beneath Heather’s left breast. The girl gasped. “I know it’s cold,” Lara apologized with a smile. After listening to her heart, she moved to her back to listen t
o her lungs. “Take several deep breaths through your mouth, please. That’s good.” After a moment she moved once again to stand in front of the girl. “Are your periods regular?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Heavy?”
“Usually just the first and second day. Not after that.”
“Do you have cramps?”
“Yeah. Really bitchin’.”
“Do you take something?”
“Midol, aspirin. Stuff like that.”
“Does it help?”
“I’ll live,” she replied with a grin.
Making Heather as comfortable as possible on the table, Lara summoned Nancy from the waiting room to assist her with a breast check and a pelvic examination.
“This is gross,” Heather said as Lara guided her feet into the stirrups.
“Yes, I know. Try to relax as much as possible.”
“Right,” Heather said sarcastically when Lara opened the speculum.
When she was finished, she left Heather to dress and returned to her office. Heather joined her there a few minutes later. Lara indicated the sofa and sat down beside her, creating a mood that was more friendly than clinical.
“Why do you want to go on birth control pills, Heather?”
“She wants me to.”