Doc's Appointment

ELEANOR 

It was more than beautiful. Getting help from someone who cared so much about what I needed to do to get back my revenge. How was it possible?! 

Matthew and the men had left the house while I stared at the footing of the large living room. There was nothing to say because I had become speechless at the things happening around me. It felt like a dream. 

It felt like a dream when I thought about the divine help I had just gotten from a total stranger who I should have no business with. And over and over again, I couldn't help but wonder about the possibility of Andrew having nothing to trace him with. But why did I bother? 

What if? 

Just what if he was into something he shouldn't? 

“No—” the word, in a hurry, ran out of my mouth and I adjusted on the couch, looking at the door that had just opened. It was Raymond who walked in, not saying a word, and then walking past me. 

I didn't know what to say a few moments ago, but now I did. I got on my feet and turned around so that I could follow him. It wasn't a bad idea to see his room again, or was it? Maybe not. 

The man had reached his door, and turned around. 

“Jesus. I didn't know it was you. I thought it was one of the maids,” he opened his door wider so that I could step in. “Come on in, Eleanor. How are you feeling?” 

“I don't know, Raymond—” I confessed. 

“I know I should thank you.” Finally, I let out. “You're taking care of me in your house. You've taken me to the boutique to get expensive clothes and now, my mission to take back vengeance on that piece of crap who thinks he can mess with anybody at all and then go scot-free is about to kickstart. How can I thank you?” 

He scoffed. 

“You don't have to do anything at all, Eleanor. What you've done is more than enough and I know you know this. Why do you stress yourself about it? I've achieved all I've wanted to achieve, and now is the time to help you with yours.” 

I nodded. 

He was right, after all. 

This was a tit-for-tat thing, obviously. 

But I still needed to thank him. 

I had gotten on my feet when a hand knocked on the door. I aimed to walk out and give him some time but no, the man had gotten ahead of me and even opened the door to see Maria who stood there, the usual professional smile on her countenance. 

“What is it?” 

“Mr. Raymond,” she said with a bow. “I'm afraid you have a visitor. Yet, another one. It's the family Doctor. He asked me to send for you.” 

The man looked at me. 

“I'll get ready.” 

Without him saying the word, I knew already that this was for me. “Give me some time to check on the child.” Mouthing again, I walked out of the room, rushing to the door of my room so that I could check on my child. 

Usually, Maria did a good job but at the same time, I needed to be sure that the job was perfect as usual. The baby needed some food even, especially by this time. 

When I caught up with the space, I closed the door and reached the cot. Michelle's eyes were open, her mouth wide in a smile and she moped at me, her hands stretched out. Whether it was because she wanted me to carry her, or rather a coincidence that she did that, I didn't know. 

All I did was—take her in my arms, take a seat on the couch in the space, and begin to feed her. 

As expected, she shut her eyes in a few minutes. 

Placing the creature carefully back in her cot, I walked out of the room after checking myself out in the mirror. 

The smile on my face had faded. 

Maybe because I was scared of the unknown—especially if there was an issue with me. 

I didn't want to hear and wouldn't care if I wasn't a mom—but this was the case with me and what did I know I would do if I did not treat myself? 

Heading out of the room, I led my way through the hallway. In a very short while, I caught up with the living room and there—there was a man seated, wearing glasses like he was a professor. 

Maybe he was. He looked like one. 

“Good day, Doctor.” 

“Good day, Mrs. Jefferson—” 

He got on his feet and shook my hand. “It's a pleasure to finally meet you, I must say. How are you doing and how is the child?” Seated, he asked, and then looked at Raymond who was smiling, putting up his usual act. 

“I am doing very well, Doctor. Thank you for coming, too. The child is also fine and is having some rest in her cot. I believe that this meeting is for the both of us and my husband but not Michelle—”

“Absolutely.” 

That was the voice of Raymond. 

“I have called you here because of my wife, Doctor Martin,” he started all over. “I think you should check her and run some tests on her so that we can know what the matter is exactly. Don't you think so?” 

“I know so—” he chuckled. 

“What exactly is the matter?” He now faced me. 

“How do you feel and where is the pain coming from?” He was adjusting on the couch while I did the same—racking my head for explanations to give. 

“Well, after I gave birth to Michelle, I noticed pain in my lower stomach a few weeks later—” I began. “Initially, I tried to ignore it but there was no way I could because I just had a baby. Or maybe it's what I should experience but it's just so much and I can't deal with it any longer.” 

The man heaved a sigh. “I'm so sorry, Mrs. Jefferson,” he let out. “Have you been doing the hot water solution?” He asked and I gave a nod. “How well have you been doing it?” 

*Was there supposed to be a special way of doing it?* 

*Was this man expecting me to say this in the presence of Raymond Jefferson? Why not bring along a female Doctor?!*

I looked at Raymond, then at the man.

“I have been doing it very well, Doctor Martin. I don't think I have missed a day since I had the baby.” 

“I don't think so—” he confessed. 

“But, you see—I know that these things happen when the stomach isn't getting the treatment it should get. But, I'd need to run a sample test on you so that we can check and see if there's something else which I am solely doubting.” 

“Yes, thank you.” 

He now took out his backpack from behind him and looked at Raymond who nodded. 

“Not only should you sit on hot water, but use a towel on your stomach. The lower part where you feel the pain. Do you understand me, Mrs. Jefferson?”

“Yes, Doctor. I do.” 

“If it gets so hard and you cannot do it on your own. Because these things are hard to do without another human forcing you, then I'd advise Mr. Jefferson here to do it on your behalf. Don't you think so, Mr. Raymond?” 

The look on my countenance changed. 

That was a lot. 

The kind of ‘a lot’ I never thought I'd hear. 

“Well, Doctor,” Raymond scoffed. “If my wife finds it hard to do, then I might have to step in. Don't you think so, baby?” He turned to look at me and I gave a knowing nod, getting ready to have a syringe pierce my skin. 

“Thank you, Doctor,” I smiled at him, holding back myself from being embarrassed due to the pain that came from the syringe. “How soon should we expect you?” 

“A few days,” he put the container in his backpack. “Mr. Raymomd, would that be all? You should assist her with the hot water solution. Not under, you don't have to do that. Just with the towel on her stomach.” 

“Sure, Doctor Martin,” he got on his feet and walked towards the room. “I'll see you off.” Saying this, the man turned around to look at me. “I'll see you later, Eleanor.” With this, the entrance door was opened and Doctor Martin walked out before Raymond who shut the door. 

Standing on my feet, I led my way back through the stairs, listening to the cries that came from a distance. 

It was Michelle's. 

No one asked me to increase the pace of my steps, which I did, hurrying through the hallway and catching up with the door.  Opening the door, I stepped in. “What is it, baby?” I walked further, catching up with the cot and taking her into my arms. “Oh, no. You pooped.”