Love Knows No Yamato - Chapter II
"That was seven months ago." June said, taking a sip of her hot coca. "That first night, I stayed in a hotel room just to get things sorted out as to where I was going to stay. I finally came to you two when my brother Davis told me about what great doctors you were."
"So, your parents just put you out on the street when they found out?" Dr. Miles said, sounding completely disgusted. "How could parents do such a thing?"
"My parents are…were…very traditional. They said that this baby will bring shame to the family because it was conceived out of wedlock and because of the fathers background…"
"Now, what happened to the father when you told him?" Dr. McKnight said, his head in his hands. "What did he say?"
"Nothing. He didn't say anything. Ever since I called and told him about it, he's been avoiding me. I can't get in touch with him at all."
"It must have been hard suddenly being out on your own with only so much money." Dr. McKnight said, nodding.
"So, you haven't had anyone to look after you through this whole thing?" Dr. Miles asked, studying June closely. "No medical attention since you've been pregnant?"
"No. Well, kind of." June said with a small grin. "A friend of mine is a doctor in training, so he looks in on me from time to time. He's actually studying to be a baby doctor."
"But other than that, no real medical attention like a ultrasound or urine and blood tests?"
"No."
"This is serious." Dr. Miles said, shaking her head. "You need proper prenatal care, not just some medical student coming to your place every once in a while."
"Before you leave here today, we're gonna give you a complete check-up." Dr. Knight ordered. "You need to take better care of yourself, especially in these last couple of months."
"I appreciate your offer, but I really couldn't afford…"
"Did I say anything about payment?" Dr. McKnight said, shaking his head. "Forget about payment. Or, if you insist on paying us…"
"Just have a healthy happy baby." Dr. Miles finished, setting a hand on her stomach. "That's all we want, need or desire."
"Bu-bump, bu-bump, bu-bump, bu-bump, bu-bump, bu-bump, bu-bump, bu-bump, Bu-bump, bu-bump, bu-bump, bu-bump, bu-bump, bu-bump, bu-bump, bu-bump…"
"Sounds like someone is showing out for us." Dr. McKnight chuckled as he moved the device through the clear gel on June's swollen midsection. "Little one knows when he's on camera, doesn't he?"
"He?" June asked, studying the monitor closely. "It's a boy?"
"Ah, force of habit. I can't tell when he or she is in this position." Dr. McKnight said, sighing. "Anyway I thought you said you didn't want to know."
"Oh, umm…I don't. I was just curious as to why you said 'he'." June said, still studying the screen.
"All right. That's it." Dr. McKnight said, switching off the machine and turning on the office lights. "Everything is looking good. Nice healthy baby." He said, tossing her a blue towel. "Clean on up."
"So, when am I due?" June asked, wiping the gel off her belly.
"Not for a month and a half yet." The doctor said, looking over some papers. "June, you really need to put on a little more weight. You're a little bit on the lean side for your first baby. Remember, however cliched this sounds, you're eating for two."
"I know doc, I know." June said, pulling her T-shirt over her stomach. "I'll try to eat more, but I don't want to get too fat! I'm big enough as is."
"Well, like it or not you're gonna get bigger." The African-American physician replied, looking at her over the tops of his glasses. "Not only will your abdomen grow more than it has now, but as your baby descends down into your pelvis the last month of your pregnancy, you're really going to enlarge. So either way, you're going to look…how can I put this nicely…highly fertile.
"Oh al right." June relented, sticking out her lower lip.
"And another thing." Dr. McKnight said, sitting on the edge of his desk. "I really don't like you staying on your own in your condition. If something happens to you, or if you need special attention, I would like to have someone come and stay with you for a while, at least until you have the kid and get yourself settled."
"Who?"
Dr. McKnight reached over his desk and pressed a button. "You can come on in now."
The front door slowly opened. "Hey guys." A tall shadow said from the now open doorway. "June, looks like you'll be having a houseguest for a while."
"J--JOE?!" June exclaimed as the blue haired man walked up to her wearing green hospital scrubs covered by a short lab jacket. "Joe Kido? You mean—"
"Dr. Knight and Dr. Miles appointed me your live in mid-wife of sorts." Joe babbled, proudly as he fiddled with his stethoscope around his neck. "Even though I'm not certified as a midwife…or an OB doctor yet. Isn't that bizarre? I only got three more months until I finish up my internship here, then I can start my residency. I still don't know if I want to practice here or maybe in the US--"
"Joe, sit down before you blow a gasket. Namely mine." Dr. McKnight sighed, pointing to the chair next to June. "And how many times do I have to tell you…the green scrubs are for the ER, the Blue are for OB!" he continued, tugging at his own blue scrub top.
"See, what had happened was—"
"Save it, Joe." Dr. McKnight interrupted, rolling his eyes. "Just try to remember next time. When you leave, go down to central supply and pick up the proper blue gear."
"Yes sir."
"Now, Joe is going to be staying at your place for a while as a kind of an extra credit assignment for him. In fact, we've altered his schedule so that way he'll be able to do his work here and still be able to keep an eye on you at home. We're still going to be monitoring you here at the hospital, though."
"Sounds like a good idea to me." June said, nodding with approval. "I really don't have anyone to talk to. My family has, more or less, forgotten about me, and my friends are all working with school."
"Well, what I lack in doctoral skills, I more than make up for in people and listening skills." Joe said with a grin.
"Well then, that's settled." Dr. McKnight said, standing up and cracking his knuckles. "Whenever it's convenient for the two of you to get things together…"
"Oh, I'm ready to go. My car is parked outside." Joe said, turning to June. "Whenever you're ready to go?"
"Ready when you are." June replied, picking up her purse. "I'll show you the way. Later Dr. McKnight."
"Bye June. See you in two weeks. And remember what I said…you have got to build up your weight!" He called behind her as she stepped out.
"I will!"
"Joe, can you stay back for a minute, please?" Dr. McKnight asked, before he walked out the door.
"Yes sir." Joe said, spinning around and walking back to the desk. "Needed something?"
"I sure do." Dr. McKnight said, seating himself back on the edge of his desk. "Joe, I need to explain some things to you. Preferably what you're getting into. June has gone through a lot in the last months: jilted boyfriend, unwanted pregnancy, and family desertion."
"Yes, sir." Joe agreed. "I've spoken to Davis a while ago, and he told me bits and pieces about it, but from what I understand, his family forbade him or anybody else from even mentioning her name in the house in their presence."
"Well, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that she's under a helluva lot of stress…stress that is unhealthy for her and potentially lethal for the baby." Dr. Knight said, rubbing his forehead.
"Understood." Joe said, nodding.
"That's why, along with keeping her physical aspects up to par, you're also to keep her as stress free as possible." The elder doctor said, adjusting his glasses. "That's why me and Dr. Miles altered your schedule, shuffling around residents and interns to reassign shifts, to give you as much time to spend with June as you possibly can. Just be her close friend and an even closer doctor."
"Yes sir," Joe said, shaking Dr.Knight's hand. "I promise I won't let you or Dr. Miles down!" He said, jogging out the office.
"Thank you Joe! I know you won't!" the doctor called, shaking his head and moving behind his desk to his PC. "I pray you won't anyway." He muttered as he began typing.
TO BE CONTINUED...