Author's Note: Thanks to all those who reviewed the first chapter. I apologize for the short length of this chapter - it just worked out that way. Again, thanks to Trish for proofreading. And as always, I appreciate any reviews and helpful comments.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon, but I do own the rights to this story.
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At Ash's insistence, Misty had called her OB/GYN the very next day after finding the … whatever it was. But she couldn't get an appointment until the next week, and then when the time arrived, she'd had to be rescheduled for another week because Dr. Grant was delivering a baby. 'It's no big deal, though,' she told herself. 'It's probably just a cyst. Women have them all the time.' And she had been so busy that she hadn't even had time to worry about it. Really, she hadn't.
Now here she sat in the examination room, stripped to the waist, wearing a paper gown that 'opens in the front', and browsing through a copy of Southern Living. 'How did such a magazine wind up in this part of the world?' she wondered. It was an elegant magazine, and the pictures of magnolia trees, wide porches, and cool desserts held her attention. While she was trying to decide if a camellia bush would survive in her yard, the door opened and Dr. Livvie Grant walked in accompanied by a young nurse.
"Hi, Misty. How are the kids?" Dr. Grant smiled and sat on the wheeled stool in the corner. She was an attractive black woman, with a slender, athletic build, and a pleasant, if not slightly mischievous, twinkle in her eyes.
"Almost grown," Misty answered with obvious parental pride. "Sammy leaves on his Pokemon journey in just a little over a month, and Laurel is starting 2nd grade this fall."
Dr. Grant raised her eyebrows. "Thanks a lot! You're really making me feel old." She had delivered both of the Ketchum children, and had been Misty's physician for several years before that.
Misty laughed. "Hey, it happens to all of us eventually!"
The doctor laughed too, then focused on the chart in her hand. "So, Misty, you found a lump in your breast?"
Misty shrugged, "Well, something, anyway."
"Lay back and let's take a look." Dr. Grant opened the paper gown. "Your right breast?"
"Yes."
She began a careful and thorough examination. When she reached the upper, outer portion, she paused. "Here?"
Misty nodded and studiously avoided making eye contact with her or the nurse, afraid of what she might see revealed on either one of their faces. Remembering to breathe seemed to be taking an inordinate amount of effort.
Dr. Grant finished checking both breasts before returning her concentrated attention to the lump. At last, she ceased the poking and prodding that was beginning to be a bit painful, closed the paper gown and helped Misty sit up, then said, "Okay, let's schedule you for a mammogram and an ultrasound and see what they show."
Finally finding the courage to look at the physician's face, Misty realized she needn't have worried, because Dr. Grant's expression showed only the same warmth and friendliness that had been there earlier.
"Amy will get everything set up for you," the doctor continued, pointing to the nurse. "Then I'll give you a call just as soon as we get the results back."
"Alright," Misty replied. "How long do you think that'll be?"
"We should be able to get you in for the tests tomorrow, and I would expect to be able to call you the day after." Dr. Grant moved to the door. "Check with Amy on your way out. I'll talk to you in a couple of days."
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To be continued ...