Her phone rang and JaLeesa’s name showed on the dashboard. “Hey. Thank you for helping me out.”
“Girl, you know that’s what we do,” JaLeesa reassured. “You don’t have to worry about him anymore. I drove in the same direction the officer went. She had your stalker in handcuffs on the side of the street.”
“What?” Savvy exclaimed. “She caught him?”
“Yup. I drove by real slow to make sure he didn’t miss me passing by.” JaLeesa laughed. “He was mad as a bee caught up in a wig.”
“You are too funny.” Savvy laughed.
“I figured you’d want that piece of information. Now, you should sleep better tonight. Be careful heading home. We’ll talk later.”
“Alright. Thanks for the info.” Savvy breathed with the liberation of knowing he’d probably go to jail. Again.
THIRTY-EIGHT
Olivia
The fourteen days Olivia had to wait for an appointment with the doctor tortured her. She’d barely slept and worried each night about being pregnant, having a disease, or both.
Perched on the edge of the examination table brought about tattered nerves as she waited for the gynecologist to return. The soft fabric of the mauve gown provided by the nurse, fit Olivia as if designed for her. She appreciated the nice change from the uncomfortable paper gowns used in other doctor offices. The length of time to get her test results back, made her fret.
Not one to bite her nails, Olivia found herself gnawing on the tips. She tucked both hands underneath her legs. The thin paper on the table bunched up from rocking. Her teeth chattered despite the warm temperature in the room.
Olivia slid from the table and landed on the floor in her socks. She always wore something on her feet when she had examinations in the ob-gyn stirrups. Although they put covers on the end of each metal piece, she didn’t trust they ever washed or changed them in between patients.
After putting on her clothes in the changing room, Olivia settled into the chair to continue to wait. The time seemed to stretch longer with every peek at her watch.
As if on cue, Olivia heard a knock and the door swung open. “Okay, Olivia. I have some news for you.” Dr. Vajajay wore a tailored lab coat with Kente cloth on the collar and wristbands. She always made a fashion statement with her clothes on or off the job. After settling her petite body frame on a round backless stool, she scooted on the wheels toward Olivia. She ruffled through a set of papers and didn’t give any hints with her facial expression.
Olivia stared at her in anticipation. “Well, don’t keep me waiting. What news?” Olivia hoped she didn’t come off as being too snappish. Dr. Vajajay has been her doctor for the last thirteen years. She delivered both of her children and they had a great relationship. Olivia knew she wouldn’t beat around the bush.
“Okay. Settle down.” The doctor patted Olivia on the arm. “First of all, you are not pregnant. Rest easy in knowing you’re not with child."
Olivia didn’t realize she held her breath until she released a huge gasp of air. “Thank you, Jesus.” She held her hands to heaven for a quick praise. “Alright. I’m ready for the next part. I think.”
“I’m going to tell you. I’m also going to lecture to you,” Dr. Vajajay warned.
“Why are you making me wait? Give me the results, Merilyn,” Olivia pleaded and wrung her hands. The anticipation made her head hurt. “Please?”
“Olivia. You have tested negative for all sexually transmitted diseases. You are free and clear.”
Olivia dropped from the chair to her knees. She didn’t notice the pain of the hard tile floor. A flood of tears released from her eyes. “Thank you. Thank you.”
Merilyn handed her a couple of tissues and helped her to the chair. “Okay. Enough with the drama. We need to talk.” Merilyn’s voice took on a serious note, which sobered Olivia’s crying spree.
“Oh boy. You’re about to go off on me.” Shame washed through her. Either way, she didn’t have an STD and she wasn’t pregnant. She could handle anything from Merilyn.
"Olivia. What the hell were you thinking?” Merilyn’s eyes blazed and latched onto Olivia’s face. She switched from the role as a doctor to the get-in-your-face friend role. “You arrived here afraid of what you were going to find out. Do you know why? Hmmm?”
For some reason, Olivia’s mind floated to herself at age sixteen when she kissed a boy and got caught by her parents. “Umm. Yeah.”
“Yeah? What kind of answer is that?” Merilyn clapped her hands together once to make a point. “You are a grown woman who knows better than to have unprotected sex with not one, but two men in one week. I know Malcolm is still your husband. Don’t forget, he’s laying up with another woman who he found on a website and who knows who else. On top of that, you have no idea who she has been with. Do you see how diseases spread between people?”
Olivia dropped her eyes and stammered. “I…I know.” Olivia hesitated. “Um. May I speak?”
“No. Not yet,” Merilyn snapped. “You got drunk and woke up with some strange man in your bed. Are you kidding me?”
Olivia warmed from embarrassment. She shook her head.
“You have enough problems going on right now. The last thing you need is this kind of drama. You are in your forties, and it’s time for you to grow up. I don’t ever want you coming in for something this juvenile again. Do you understand me?”
Olivia raised her eyes to determine if she could respond. The hand on the hip and look on Merilyn’s face indicated she waited for an answer. “Yes. I understand. I’m sorry to come in here like this. I know I’ve disappointed you and myself.” Olivia sniffed. “Lighten up on a sister. Please?”
Merilyn laughed and softened her facial expression. “Girl. You know I must keep it real with you. STDs and babies are serious. I see too much in this office with women in
