She was in the bathroom sick to her stomach. Staring at the two lines before her, she did not know what to do.
At first she had told herself that her fatigue and nausea was due to her long hours at the hospital, but in the end reason had gotten hold of her,
and she had had to take the test.
Lying there on the edge of the sink the two vertical lines were mocking her, and she had to sit down on the toilet and put her head down
because she felt dizzy all of a sudden.
When she emerged from the bathroom, Miriam met her with worry in her eyes. "
Mike?"
She could not speak, but simply nodded.
"Are you sure?" her roommate pulled out a chair for her to sit on, and she slumped down by the table sighing heavily.
"Yes… I took the test twice. It's positive".
She buried her head in her arms on the table, and Miriam put an arm around her shoulder.
"What are you going to do?"
Michaela's head was spinning, so many thoughts were running through her head at once.
"I… don't… know." She mumbled and met her friend's compassionate eyes.
"Are you going to tell David?"
Miriam had only just asked the question when Michaela jumped to her feet.
"Excuse me," she rushed to the bathroom, and Miriam could hear her retching.
When she came out she seemed a little more composed.
She took a deep breath and met Miriam's gaze.
"It's not his… it's not David's."
"What do you mean?" Miriam could not believe what she heard, and Michaela sat down next to her.
"It's not his… that's what I mean. David and I we've never been together"
Michaela sipped her tea, and Miriam placed a slice of toast in front of her. "Try this."
"I don't understand. If it is not David –then who?" Miriam was searching her mind, and Michaela shook her head "No one you know."
Tears welled into her eyes, and Miriam held her hand. "Do you want to tell me about it?"
Her friend nodded and took a deep sigh.
"Promise me you won't think any differently about me, if I tell you?"
Michaela offered Miriam a little smile, and her friend nodded reassuringly.
"You know, I went to Mexico to do some pro bono work…?" Michaela began, and Miriam gasped a little "A Mexican?"
Michaela closed her eyes and smiled.
"No he's not Mexican."
Miriam pulled Michaela to her feet.
"Go sit in the sofa. I'm fetching some ice cream, and you're going to tell me everything."
Michaela did as Miriam requested and soon the two were cuddled up on the sofa just like when they had been 15 and talked about boys.
Only now the topic was more serious.
"We met in the village where I helped at the hospital.
He came in with a dislocated shoulder."
Michaela's voice was soft and full of emotions when she continued: "I knew straight away that he was special. Something drew me to him."
The working conditions in Mexican hospitals were quite different than those of Boston Memorial where she used to spend her time, but Michaela
could tell that her presence made a difference to the people in the small village, so she put up with the long hours, and the heat.
She had just finished vaccinating a family with 5 children and she was writing some things in her charts.
"Excuse me. I'm looking for the doctor" a voice in perfect English sounded behind her, and she turned only to meet the bluest eyes she had ever encountered.
She must have been staring, and he repeated "the doctor?"
Only now did she notice how he was holding his arm and that he was grimacing.
"Oh, sorry. I am the doctor." She held out her hand scolding herself inwardly: "What has gotten into you".
"I'm – it's your shoulder right? It looks dislocated."
He nodded and she motioned for him to lie down. "Let me check you first"
He gasped a little when she touched his sore shoulder, and it was not just because of the pain. She was pretty, and her touch was soothing.
He could smell her perfume, and he suddenly had an urge to reach out and grab her long ponytail to feel the softness of her hair.
But he couldn't do that, and the pain in his shoulder quickly brought his mind back to the present.
"Wait here", she briefly touched his thigh and disappeared. Then she came back with two helpers.
She went and looked directly at him. " It's going to hurt. I have to put it into place."
"Do what you have to do. I can take it."
Their eyes met again, and he was drawn to her features. Her mismatched eyes, and delicate skin and hair.
He wondered what she looked like with her hair down.
He was lost in thought, and had not paid much attention to what she was doing.
She'd placed herself along his body and put her foot under his arm. "
Ready?" she asked and nodded at the helpers.
Before he had the chance to respond she jerked his arm into place.
"Aaargh!" He cried out being unprepared for the intensity of the pain which was over as soon as it started.
"What are you doing?" He glared at her demanding an answer, and she nonchalantly put a sling around his arm to support his shoulder. "
Your shoulder is back in place, and you're going to be fine Mr? "
"Sully. Just Sully."
He'd calmed down as quickly as his temper had risen realizing what she had done.
"Well … Sully… you'll be fine. Just give your arm some rest."
Their eyes met again, and she suddenly felt a little awkward.
"Come back in a couple of days and see the nurse," she muttered trying to sound calm.
"Does he have to look at me like that?" She wondered trying to shed the uneasiness she felt.
"Thank you." His voice was soft , and his eyes searched hers.
For a moment he thought he'd seen something there – a sparkle. He was drawn to her, and did not feel like leaving,
On the contrary he wanted to stay and undo her hair and … He stopped his thoughts.
She looked like she was waiting, and he knew he had to leave when the nurse called from the door:
"Dr. Mike… a woman has just come in. She's in labour."
"I'm coming Charlotte. Excuse me." She brushed past him and entered an adjacent room.