Safety Reassurance

ELEANOR 

It was a few days later when the house bell rang. 

There was no one in the living room, so I thought to get it. Dumping the book I was reading on the couch, I arrived at the door in a few seconds. 

“Doctor Martin,” opening the door wider, I greeted. “Welcome to the house. Please, take a seat.” 

He did, relaxing his back and placing his backpack on the floor right next to his right leg. “Good day, Mrs. Jefferson. Thank you for having me. I want to know. How have you been since the last time we saw each other?”

I walked over to another couch and then took a seat

“I'm doing okay. Just the same old, Doctor Martin. Do I need to call Mr. Jefferson for you? He should be in his room. Oh, no. He's out of the house.” 

“No, no, Mrs. Jefferson, I honestly will not be needing that. Mr. Johnson paid me already, and even if he hasn't, it's never going to be an issue. I didn't start working today—” he looked at the backpack, picking it up. “I came with the test result from the last time. Are you ready?” 

Did he just ask me that? 

Of course, I was ready and even more than ready. 

What did he think I was sitting here and waiting for? 

I simply nodded. 

“Yes, Doctor. I am ready. Can I see it now?” 

His hand dipped in the backpack and fear clouded me. 

For a moment, I convinced myself, realizing how unready I was. But I needed to see if there was something wrong with me, so I relaxed my back on the couch, shutting my eyes and opening them the next moment. 

What was the result?

Was it something that would scare me? 

I moped on, waiting for the moment and he took out an envelope. “Here we go, Mrs. Jefferson. Just as I said, there's nothing wrong with you. Nothing at all and you have nothing to worry about either.” 

The sigh that ran out of my mouth was the kind I had not heaved in a very long time. “Thank you, Doctor. You don't know what this means to me, but are you certain that nothing is wrong with me? Are you—?”

“My tests don't lie, Mrs. Jefferson,” he let out. “This is something Mr. Jefferson should tell you from the onset. Nothing is wrong with you. Everything that should be in order in your body is in order, but have you been thinking too much of late? Do you mind me asking?” 

“No no, I don't mind.” 

I looked up. 

Didn't he say just now that nothing was wrong with me? How come he's asking if I have been thinking too much lately? These and many more thoughts ran around my head and a sigh ran out of my mouth. 

For a moment, I looked away from the man. 

The next moment, I was looking at him. “Is something wrong with me? Why not tell it to me already, Doctor?” 

“No, Mrs. Jefferson. Nothing is wrong with you. I just noticed changes in your blood which shouldn't be an issue. I ran a further test and could see that you haven't been eating well. Maybe you have but it isn't enough. Trust me.” 

That was a relief to hear. 

“Thank you,” a sigh, once again, ran out of my mouth. “I have been eating very well. Maybe not enough but I try.” 

“You're thinking too much, then. And this is happening with less sleep and not much food, Mrs. Jefferson.” He mouthed, standing on his feet. “No, that's not all.” The man took his seat and once again, placed the backpack on his lap. “I came along with some medications for you. Even as a nursing mother, you can take them.” 

“Oh. Thank you.”

After a short while, the man was out of the house. 

One by one, I studied the medications, looking up to the internet to help tell what they were for, just to be very certain that I was safe. 

I didn't suspect the Doctor to be after my life, but I needed to be sure that I was safe. There was no way I would trust a total stranger. Whether or not he was connected to the man I am married to. After all, a man like Rhett was connected to Raymond but I could still not trust him. 

A man who would slit my throat with a knife if the opportunity ever came. 

Locking the door, I walked away from the living room—the medications nylon dangling in my hand. In my room where I rested, I thought about Matthew and the rest of the men, also wondering what they could be up to and at the same time, why they had yet to reach out to me. 

Was it so hard to look into a profile? 

Maybe it was. 

Taking my phone in my hand, I searched through my contacts for his details. 

“Found it.” And immediately, I dialed the contact. A sigh ran out of my mouth and I waited for the man to pick up his calls, standing on my feet and pacing the room like I was in search of something I hadn't lost. 

“Pick your calls.” 

“Hello, boss.” 

That was fast. 

It had to be the first time in three years since I was called that. There was a feeling that ran straight into my stomach, stopping in my chest and disappearing again. 

“Hello, Matthew. I just wanted to know the situation of things. A good evening to you, too. How are you and the rest of the men? Do you have an update at least?” 

“We are all doing fine,” he let out. “About an update. I don't think I have one because we're still trying to have access to him at least. Give us some more time and we'll come to a conclusion, finally.” 

Well, what could I say? 

“Thank you, Matthew. I understand it's taking time but I also need you to understand that I have to get back at the man. Do you understand where I am coming from?” 

“Yes, boss. I do.” 

“Good—” once more, I settled on the bed. “I'll speak to you when you have an update. And also, don't forget to reach out to me when you have questions or even issues. I'd be sure to provide you with all the answers you need.” 

“Yes, Boss.” The man greeted. “I wanted to know. Is there something else you would love me to do for you?”

“No, Matthew. I don't think so.” 

The door was opened as I ended the call. Looking up, there was Raymond who walked in, a briefcase in his hand. “Hello, Eleanor. I heard from Martin that he was here a while ago. A call came from him while on my way out.” 

Dropping my phone on the bed, I gave a nod. 

“Yes, yes. He was here a while ago,” mouthing, I looked at the nylon bag with the medications in it, as well as the test results. “He came with this.” I lifted it up, stretching my hand and watching the man take it from me. 

“I'm glad to hear that nothing is wrong with you.” He heaved a sigh. “You don't know how worried I was for a moment. How are you feeling too? Do you still feel the pain there? I mean, do you need me to help you?” 

What was he trying to do? 

“No, no, Raymond. Thank you,” I shook my head that it was almost falling off my neck. “You shouldn't worry about that, please. I can do this on my own. I'm not used to pain but I have to, for the sake of my child.” 

“Are you sure?” The man asked. 

“Yes, I am,” I repeated. “Thank you for your concern but I need to let you know that I'm fine. I'd do everything the Doctor asked me to do and you have nothing at all to worry about. Thank you so much for helping me out.” 

“It's nothing—” he walked to the door. 

When he reached, I saw him turn around and look at me, then at the cot. “Let me know when you need something. I'll be there to assist. And if you change your mind and admit that you need help, let me know too. It's not a problem changing the terms in the contract or is it?” 

“I'm fine, Raymond.” 

I got on my feet. “Thank you for your help. I am not ungrateful and I do not take this for granted.”

Not saying anything, he walked away. 

All I did was stare at the door, before making up my mind to shut it—after which I turned around to look at my child. The only reason I had yet to give up—because I had all the rights under the earth to be tired or even commit a suicide. 

But I can't. 

Not when there was a bunch of joy right in my face. 

In one week, she would become two months old. And this is the part where I take her to the hospital for a special vaccination. A kind real Father ran away from.