Read Online Faith by Michelle Larks - Free Book Online Page B

comfortingly.
    â€œMarcus is patient with me, and that helps. I’m just not ready to participate in the physical act, but I don’t mind him holding me. It took me a couple of weeks before I could stand for him to do that,” Monet explained candidly.
    â€œThat’s good, and I consider that progress. I just want you to think about the support group, and by all means talk to you minister. It doesn’t hurt to have guidance from a spiritual perspective. The quicker you talk to someone, the sooner your life will be back on track,” Dr. Washington said, as she jotted down a name and number on a pad. She tore off the paper and handed it to Monet. “This is Sheila Winston’s number. She facilitates the crisis group at the University of Chicago Hospital. If you decide to try it, then give her a call. Is there anything else going on with you?” Dr. Washington looked at Monet casually. Her large dark brown eyes seemed magnified behind the glass lenses, and were filled with compassion. She thought Monet looked a little tired or rundown.
    â€œWell, I have been feeling nauseated for the past few weeks. I’m sure it’s nothing, just nerves.” Monet’s voice trailed off.
    â€œHmmm. When was the last time you had your period?” Dr. Washington folded her hands together. She had an inkling of what was happening with Monet. She suggested Monet take the “morning after pill” following the assault, but Monet declined the offer.
    â€œLet me think.” Monet closed and opened her eyes. “You know I’m irregular, I think about a few weeks before the attack.”
    â€œAre you experiencing any other symptoms?” Dr. Washington probed gently.
    â€œMy breasts have been tender and odors bother me.” Monet gasped and said cautiously, “Dr. Washington, you don’t think I’m pregnant, do you?”
    â€œIt won’t take us long to find out. I’m going to order a pregnancy test and send you next door to the lab to take a blood test,” Dr. Washington advised. She stood up. “Why don’t you get dressed, come back to the nurse’s area, and Erica will give you a cup for a urine sample. While we wait for the results, you can go across the hall for the blood test. I’ll write up the order now.”
    â€œSo you do think I’m pregnant?” Monet asked, in a shaky voice. “I just assumed it was nerves.”
    â€œIt could be nerves, but we can’t rule that possibility out. Still that’s easy enough for us to find out.” Dr. Washington looked at her watch and said, “I’ll see you in my office in about twenty to thirty minutes.”
    Monet nodded, feeling shell shocked. She sat on the examination table for a few minutes. When she rose, her body was shaking so badly that she could barely get dressed. She put her sweater on backward and her socks on inside out.
    â€œLord, could it be true? Am I really pregnant?” She laughed aloud giddily, then became somber. “Is the child Marcus’s or my attacker’s? God, forgive me. What am I saying? I know this baby is Marcus’s. You told me Marcus and I would have a child.” Her breathing became shallow, and she felt lightheaded.
    The couple had been trying to get pregnant since year three of their marriage. They had been examined what seemed like a million times by various doctors, and there wasn’t a medical reason for why they couldn’t conceive. Monet had wanted to try in vitro, but Marcus vetoed the idea. Years ago she had broached the subject of adoption, but Marcus didn’t want to, citing that he wanted their biological child or none at all.
    Monet prayed daily, a prayer she called the baby’s prayer. She was both elated and apprehensive by the possibility of being with child. What if the baby wasn’t Marcus’s? Then she pushed those musings to the back of her mind because God had told her otherwise, and she