D: „So Mrs. Herrera, How can i help you today ?"
A: „The last few days I've had some pain in my whole body and my boss insisted I get checked out before i go back to work." She tried to make it sound as casual as possible. No way she was getting benched because of this.
R: „She's a firefighter." he added.
D: „How long has the pain been present?"
A: „Uhm i think 2 or 3 days maybe."
D: „Is it always the Same or does it come and go."
A: „It's... always there but the intensity changes."
D: „Alright then let's get you checked out."
He took her vitals and checked out some other things. Then they sat back at the table.
D: „Well your blood pressure is a little elevated but besides that, everything looks fine. I can't seem to find a reason for the pain as of right now."
A: „See I'm juts fine." She said turning to Robert, who smiled a little. When she turned back to the doctor she could see there was more to come and she might not get out of here as easily as she had hoped.
D: „I'm still concerned about what causes the pain and as you are a firefighter I'm not comfortable to let you go back to work until we figure this out."
A: „What? But if everything looks fine..." Was he serious right now? „I am sure it's just exhaustion from work."
R: „After half a shift? Andy, you have been off for a little over a week, you are not gonna be that exhausted from half a shift." Andy didńt react or look at him. She wanted to get out of here and he was not helping with that at all.
D: „Well, there can be a few things explaining this. Has there been a lot of stress in your life lately?"
A: „ No, not really."
Robert let out a short laugh and Andy looked at him angry. She wasn't sure why she tried to lie when Robert obviously knew all the stress that had weighed on her recently but she did anyways because she just wanted to go back to work and not get bombarded with question by this doctor.
D: „So was there or was there not?" he asked slightly confused.
Andy stayed silent again not knowing how to talk her way out of this but Robert didn't.
R: „Well a couple of months ago her best friend got shot right in front of her and then a few weeks later her father died in a fire, saving all of our lives and then i had surgery, and her mom came back who we thought was dead and then she left again."
Andy was now really mad at Robert. Why did he had to tell all of this to her doctor. This was none of his business and had nothing to with why she was here.
D: „Well that might explain it. It's a lot of trauma and that can take a toll on the body, especially if you don't deal with it right away. I will refer you to a psychologist."
A: „What? No! Why?"
D: „You went through a lot of traumatic events in a really short time period and i think that is why you are physically in pain. You haven't dealt with all of this and your body is trying to tell you to slow down and face it."
Andy turned her head away and didńt know what to say anymore. She didńt need to talk to a shrink, she was strong she could handle things on her own. Tears of anger and frustration were building up but she was fighting them not wanting to give the doctor the satisfaction of showing him how messed up she was.
D: „Here is a number of a psychologist. I will call her and let her know you will be giving her a call so you won't have to wait long for an appointment." He held out the card to Andy who had her arms crossed and didn't move, so Robert reached out to take it.
R: „Thank you."
D: „It's important she goes in soon. Right now i don't see a reason to be worried for her safety as long as she stays home but if she doesn't deal with this soon, we might have to take further steps and admit her."
Andy couldn't believe what she just heard and why was he now talking like she wasńt in this room? Was he being serious? She couldńt hold it anymore a tear of anger and frustration rolled down her cheek and she just made her way out of the door without saying anything. Robert caught up to her quickly and took her hand. Andy wanted to rip her hand out of his grip because she was angry at him but she also needed him. They rode home in silence. Robert glanced over to her every now and then but she wouldn't even look at him the whole care ride.
When they got back home Andy wasn't sure what to do with herself.
R: „I'm gonna call the psychologist and get you an appointment."
A: „What? NO, You are not! This is none of your business." She almost screamed.
R: „You are my wife so this is my business too." He said in a concerned yet determined voice.
A: „Just because we are married doesn't mean you can just make decisions for me. You and Maya wanted me to see a doctor and i did and he said i'm fine so can you shut up about it now?" She was screaming now.
R: „No Andy, that's not what he said! You haven't dealt with anything that has happened lately and it's taking a mental and physical toll on you. You need some help to sort this all out." Robert too got louder as he spoke.
A: „ I don't need a shrink to do that. I have you and I'm very capable of taking care of myself."
R: „But you haven't , Andy. You don't take care of yourself! You push everything inside, you don't talk to me about it, you are in pain, you barely sleep, you don't eat... do i need to go on. Did you even hear the doctor at the end? He won't hesitate to admit you into hospital if you don't see a psychologist."
A: „ I... I really don't need this right now." She threw her hands in the air then got her phone and car keys and walked towards the front door.
R: „ Where are you going?"
A: „I need some time."
R: „Andy! Andy please don't go!"
But Andy didn't stop she got in her car and Robert watched her drive away from the front door.
Andy drove to a park and wandered around. She needed some time to process what had happened, at the doctors office and at home. She was furious about what had been said, yes she had been through a lot but were they right to worry about her like that? She didn't feel like she was about to break down and she couldn't understand how that doctor threatened to admit her. Her thoughts were racing, she was mad. Mad at everyone, at that doctor who pretended to know her, at her husband who betrayed her and told the doctor everything, at Maya for making her see him in the first place, at Ryan for dying, at her Dad for sacrificing his life for her, at her mom for lying and coming back and leaving, at her sister for just existing and at herself. How did she let herself get to this point.
Meanwhile at home Robert was worried sick about her. She had been so mad and just took off. He could understand she needed time to cool off but he couldn't stop worrying about her. Andy really hadn't been herself lately and even though he couldn't really imagine Andy ever doing something to harm herself he couldn't stop worrying about it after what the doctor had said that morning. He had called her a few times already but she had never pick up and it already had been two hours since she left. So he decided to sent her a text in case she just didn't wanna talk over the phone.
'Andy, I'm really worried about you. Where are you? If i don't hear from you within the next hour, i will call the police. I hope you are okay, I love you Andy.'
When her phone rang again she looked at it and saw his text. Why would he call the police? Was he really thinking she would do something to herself? And in that moment things became clearer to her. She texted him back: Ím sorry i took off like that. I promise i am fine. I'm at the park and i will be back in an hour, okey? You don't have to worry.
Before that text she hadn't realized just how worried Robert actually was about her and for her safety. She knew he was worried but not like that. He was worried she would hurt herself but she wouldn't, she had never even thought about that. But she looked back at the time from his surgery to now and she could see that she hadńt been herself. Robert was right, she closed herself off and didn't talk about much that had happened in her life to him. She didn't sleep much and was up during the night a lot and she too had noticed her weightloss. She felt bad about causing him so much worry and maybe he was right. Maybe a little help wouldn't be too bad.
At home Andys answer had calmed Robert a little bit, but she had said she would be back in an hour and there were only about 10 minutes left which made him more nervous again. Then he heard her car pull in the driveway and his body finally relaxed, she was back and he could breath again. Robert went to the door before she was there. He saw her getting out of her car and she looked a little defeated but at the same time he felt like she was more in the present than she had been since she found out about her mom. Andy didńt say a word when she approached him and fell into his arms. Robert held her close.
A: „I'm sorry, I will talk to that psychologist if you want me to."
R: „It's okey Andy. We will get through this together."
A: „I know we will."
