Chapter 3

"Some women are not always regular, and I am always a little late. This time I was later than what is normal for me. I had a sexual encounter a few weeks ago and was careless. However, I was lucky my test came back negative. I learned my lesson the hard way," confessed Jen. "It doesn't pay to be careless."

Mattie tried to smile as her tears had finally stopped, "Anyone I know?"

Tapping her on the end of her nose Jen replied, "That, Missy, is none of your business. Now lets get you up and wash our face and comb your hair so you'll look better when Harm gets back."

Harm faced the smirk of the girl behind the counter when he plunked down the pregnancy test and paid for it. He hurried back to the apartment and found the girls coming out of the bathroom when he burst in once again.

"You know it would be nice if you knocked just once," hissed Jen.

Turning around and knocking on the door he looked at her, "Happy now?"

"Never mind, did you get the test?" she asked holding out her hand.

"Yeah, and you wouldn't believe the look I got from the clerk," he said following the girls to the
bathroom.

Jen stopped him at the door, "That's as far as you go, Harm. I think we can handle it from here."

"Now wait just one minute! Mattie is my ward and I have an interest in the results too!" he shouted as the door was closed in his face. When it didn't open again, he paced up and down the hall in front of the door.

Coming back out of the bathroom both girls looked shocked. Jen looked up at Harm and said, "It's positive, Harm."

"Positive, then I want to know who she's been with. I want to know right now," shouted Harm. His face had grown red and he looked for all the world like an outraged father.

"NO ONE HARM! I'm a VIRGIN!" Mattie shouted at him and ran for her bedroom again. Throwing herself on the bed she dissolved into tears.

"Harm, leave her alone right now. We need to make her an appointment with a doctor, there could be something wrong with her," Jen said worried.

"Of course there's something wrong with her! She's pregnant!" Harm exclaimed.

"Not necessary. A girl her age could be having trouble with her cycle. She needs to see a doctor and you shouldn't wait too long to make her an appointment," Jen advised.

"ME! Why should I be the one to make the appointment?" he asked uncomfortable.

"Because you're her guardian and will have to fill out her paperwork. Now, ask Harriett who her OBGYN is and make an appointment," Jen ordered.

"Why don't you ask Harriett and make the appointment? And I'll take her," smiled Harm.

"No, you took her on, and you're her guardian, so you do it, and I'll go with you. She will need a woman to go in with her," replied. Jen.

"Alright, but Harriett will want to know why I need an OBGYN," Harm frowned.

"Tell her it's for a friend," suggested Jen.

"Great! Then I'm office gossip for the rest of the year," growled Harm.

"Then just tell her it's for Mattie! Girls her age need check ups too!" Jen was getting fed up with Harm's reactions; she just wondered how he would be handling it if her test had come back positive!

"Hey, that's a good idea just tell her the truth. Just tell her that Mattie is having a little problem and she needs to see an OBGYN," he smiled glad he thought of it. "I'll ask her first thing tomorrow. Maybe she can even get me in to see hers fast for Mattie."

"And if not you could ask Colonel Mackenzie who she sees," Jen suggested.

"Does Mac see an OBGYN? I've never heard her talk about it? In all the years we've been friends she's never mentioned it once," he replied scratching his head. "I think Harriett is our best bet since she has children she will understand what I'm going through."

"Most women do see one, Harm!" Jen informed him.

"Really? Well if I can't get into Harriett's doctor within the next couple of days I'll check with Mac,"
he said casually. "It's nice to know I have a backup. Hey, don't you have a doctor I could call, if most
women have one."

"I haven't been able to afford one lately, but I will be getting one soon. In fact if I like the one we take Mattie too I might just become a patient too!" she told him.

"Why? Do you have something wrong with you?" he asked suspiciously.

To be continued…..