The Babysitter

Side Effects

Samantha

"Normal side effects can include some postoperative bleeding that can last anywhere from 2 - 6 weeks," the Doctor says and I turn over the educational pamphlet in my hand. She continues on covering all the basics and "need to know" facts, most of which I already know.

"Can we just please get it over with?" I say.

"Of course," she says, "Let's have you get dressed." She hands me the surgical beanie thing and the plastic apron with the missing back.

I undress and slip into the medical gown. I take my socks off and place my feet back on the tile. Nope. Why the hell do they keep these place chilled like meat lockers? I put my socks back on. Besides, I'd rather be comfortable when they look up my skirt at my lady bits. Should I have shaved? Or maybe at least trimmed? I'm not fluent in the doctor-patient relationship nor can I attest to the standard operating procedure. I suppose it's common courtesy to at least provide a map a trail through the brush. Screw it, they're doctors. They've probably seen every type imaginable.

The Doctor knocks and I address her.

"Come in," I say.

In walks a 6' tall, chocolate brown man in a sterling white coat with a stethoscope around his neck.

"Morning, my name is Doctor Dalton, I'll be your O.R. doctor today," he says outstretching his hand.

"Wait, what?" I say and shake his hand in disbelief. "What happened to my other Doctor? The woman?"

"That was Nurse Russo, she will be assisting me today," Doctor Dalton softly chuckles.

"So you're like the Doctor, Doctor? Like the real Doctor?" I say.

"Yes," he says and smiles revealing a set of perfect white pearls.

"Of course," I comment under my breath and cross my legs tighter.

"What?" He keeps with that charm.

"This is completely unfair. You're this tall, incredibly handsome, green-eyed, white-toothed god that's going to be digging around in my untamed lady parts," I say and he lets out a laugh. "This is so unfair."

"You're funny," he says.

"I'm not trying to be, I'm embarrassed," I say.

"Don't be. Everything is going to be fine," he says "We're going to care good care of you." He talks more about how everything is going to happen and walks me step by step through the process. Which surprising enough actually settles my nerves quite a bit. He tells me Nurse Russo will be back in shortly to take me to the room and then leaves.

After he's gone I start thinking about Charlie and Mitch. I realize how much I regret everything that happened. Or maybe I regret the way it happened. Either way, I start feeling pretty sour about it. Just then Nurse Russo knocks on my door and I call her in.

"Samantha, are you expecting anyone?" She says. The confusion on my face is telling. "Okay, I'll let them know you weren't expecting anyone."

"Wait," I say, "Who is here?"

"They say their friends of yours, Charlie and Mitch?" She says.

A million thoughts explode in my mind. I'm shocked. Honestly shocked. I didn't tell them where I was or what I was doing and I have no clue what to do.

"It's okay. You don't have to do anything. They don't have to know you're here," she says.

"No. It's okay," I say and immediately question my answer. "May I see them?" I don't know why I want to see them but I know I have to.

"If you'd like?" she says.

I gently nod. Nurse Russo smiles and shuts the door behind her. I sit holding my breath not sure what's going to happen next.

A few minutes later there is a knock on my door.

"Come in," I say.

Charlie and Mitch walk into my room. Charlie walks over to me and wraps me in her arms. I don't know why but I start to cry and I bury my face into her shoulder. She cries too. Mitch stands at the door.

"How did you know where I was?" I say.

"Come on. I'm your best friend," Charlie says.

Mitch steps forward to me.

"Sam, I'm sorry about last night. I really feel terrible about everything," Mitch says.

"Well, you should, you're an asshole," I say without a smile.

"She's joking," Charlie says, "We know this is a big decision and we didn't want you to feel alone."

"Yeah," Mitch says, "I really care about you Sam, I never realized how genuine of a person you are until we started hanging out. I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too," Charlie says as her eyes well up again, "I love you, Samantha."

I start crying again.

"Stop," I say trying to control myself, "I'm sorry for everything," I say and turn to Mitch, "I'm sorry for lying to you. It was real shitty of me and I hated every second of it but I was scared and didn't want to be alone."

"Don't worry about it," Mitch says and shakes his head.

"I'm sorry," I say to Charlie, "for hurting you so bad, for lying and breaking your heart."

"It's okay," Charlie says through a face of tears and hugs me again.

"I owe you a thank you," Mitch says, "before all this, my focus was different. College basketball, getting my degree, starting a career with amazing benefits and a substantial 401k portfolio with profit sharing, I'm rambling-"

"No shit," I say and Charlie and I both laugh.

"What I'm trying to say is, I never planned this. I never even thought about being a father. And when it happened, I admit I had that initial "Oh shit" reaction. I don't know how to raise a kid, I don't know how to change a diaper, feeding time, schedules, planning, babysitters, all those parenting skills that are needed to raise a functioning member of society. But then that went away," Mitch looks me in the eye. "And then I thought about holding him or her in my arms and watching them fall asleep, or hearing their laughter. What I'm trying to say and doing a poor job about it is, I want that someday. I want to be a father. A good father. So thank you, even if it was a lie, it changed me," Mitch wipes the tears from his eyes and I wave him over. We all hug.

Nurse Russo knocks on my door and then enters.

"Are you ready?" she says.

I look at Charlie and Mitch and smile, "Yes, I am."

"We'll be waiting for you," Charlie says.

"We're not going anywhere," Mitch says.

I stand up and follow Nurse Russo out when Charlie jumps up behind me.

"You should probably tie this part," Charlie says and quickly ties up the back of my gown. I turn around and Mitch is laughing, covering his face.

"Whatever at this point, everyone is gonna get a peek at the goods," I say and follow Nurse Russo to a set of double doors.

"I love you," Charlie says. I stop and turn back.

"I love you too," I say and walk into the room.

TO BE CONTINUED....