Served

Two weeks later Famke was sitting in stirrups in the gynecologist’s office and staring at the ceiling.

“Scooch down just a bit,” the woman asked her quietly.

Famke rolled her eyes as she tried to wriggle down the table. “I’ve taken six tests. They’re all negative. I don’t know why I haven’t had my period. I’m exhausted as hell. I have no energy and I’m moody as all get out. I’ve gained six pounds.”

“The test I did here also shows you’re not pregnant but let’s do this pap smear. I want to send you for an ultrasound as well. Did you go for the bloodwork?”

“Yes, on Monday.”

“I’ll get my admin assistant to call over for the results.” The doctor grunted, “this will be a bit cold.”

“Is there a gynecological class in university where you all learn to say the same things during a pap smear? Scooch down. This is cold. A little pinch.”

The doctor gave a little laugh, “I was just about to say a little pinch.”

“Sorry. See, cranky!” she flung her hand up in the air.

The doctor removed her devices and stood up and removed her gloves, “everything looks normal and healthy. The test will let us know if there is anything to worry about.”

While the doctor left to get her blood test results, she got dressed and then plunked back down in the chair. She was feeling like hell. She’d snapped at Royal twice in the last two days and this morning he’d told her one more snarky comment from her and she’d have to start apologizing with blowjobs. The man possessed the patience of a saint, but she was well enough aware she wasn’t behaving normal.

The doctor came in with a grin, “Well, you’re not pregnant but I do know what’s going on. What do you know about the thyroid gland?”

Famke shrugged, “nothing.”

The doctor began the process of explaining how one little gland in her neck controlled her entire body from mood swings to weight and could even affect her periods. Apparently taking a synthetic medication would help regulate her and she’d be right as rain in a short while.

She took the information the doctor held out for her, along with a referral to an endocrinologist and a prescription and made her way to the waiting room. Nyx was swinging her feet impatiently.

“Apparently I have thyroid disease.”

“What the hell is that?”

“I don’t know. She asked if Mom ever mentioned having it, but I don’t remember, but I guess it can cause my mood swings and weight gain.”

“So not pregnant?”

“Nope.”

“Huh.” Nyx followed her out of the clinic and into the sunlight. She stretched her arms upward. “Gosh I’m loving the way the sun is starting to finally warm up and melt this shit,” she kicked a grey chunk of melting snow.

“Thanks for coming with me today. I was worried she was going to tell me I had something far more serious wrong with me.”

“Well, you have a disease. It sounds pretty serious.”

“I guess. She said it wouldn’t affect my fertility any if I did want to have kids. I booked to get an IUD done. Royal and I decided it makes better sense than relying on only condoms.” She made a face, “especially now Precious’s new best friend in school told her she’s going to have a new baby sister. I’m quite concerned Precious will poke holes in my condoms because she keeps asking Daddy Royal when he’s going to put a baby in my belly.”

“I can’t believe the kid’s parents told her all about conception and she gave Precious explicit details on the subject matter,” Nyx laughed as she recalled how Precious the past weekend regaled everyone at dinner about how penises ejaculated in vaginas to make babies grow in a mommy’s belly.

“I want to know why a lesbian couple gave their child the penis version instead of an artificial insemination version,” Famke shot her a knowing look.

“Oh, they’re using a donor and the old-fashioned way too,” Nyx agreed with Famke’s unvocalized thoughts as they climbed into the back of the car Royal arranged for them. He wanted to come with her, but she did not want to fight with him about being in the room while she underwent the physical exam. “Can I say how much I love your thoughtful boyfriend arranging transport for us, so we don’t have to take the bus?”

“Speaking of boyfriends,” Famke nudged her with her knee, “what gives with the Koda situation? I haven’t heard you bash him in a full week. He’s back in New York. What’s going on?”

“I saw him naked.” Nyx blurted out.

“What?” Famke’s eyes were huge as she stared at her friend. “When? More importantly why am I only hearing of this now?”

“I was pissed off. He was here for Keshaun’s birthday dinner Saturday night. Precious was making all the cute baby making comments and you heard what he said.”

“Yes. He said he can’t to put a baby in your belly.” Famke grinned at her best friend who blushed hotly at the comment.

“Well, I went to his hotel to remind him this,” she waved her hand, “is all fake because his mom is ill, and he is trying to keep her calm.”

“It’s been three months. You know they’re playing you, right?”

“No. Every time I try to end it, she cries like a baby. I mean cries.”

“She was an actress. On Broadway.”

“Maybe,” Nyx sighed, “well, I went there to confront him about his behavior and,” she paused, “I’ve never seen him without a long sleeve shirt. Ever. In all the time I worked for him, I’ve never seen him with bare arms.”

“Why not?”

“Because he was hiding his fucking tattoos, Famke. He is covered in them. I went to his stupid hotel and banged on his door, and he opened it wearing a towel. A towel. He’s cut up like a professional athlete and he’s covered in ink. I mean covered.”

“Shit. He’s your kryptonite.”

“Except,” she held her finger up, “he has a woman’s name tattooed on his chest.”

“Say what now?”

“Yeah, a woman’s name. Arya. He has the name Arya on his chest, where his heart is.” She looked away. “I walked out. I need to give him his stupid ring back but he’s in Europe. I have a job interview tomorrow with a company here in Pittsburgh. It’s far less money than he was paying me, but I need this shit to be over.”

“You didn’t ask him who it was?”

“No. I didn’t ask him whose name he has in ink on his fucking chest.”

“Clearly it’s not someone he is with now.”

“But he still has it on his chest. He’s a billionaire, Famke. He can get that shit changed. He chooses not to. He keeps some woman’s name on his chest, and he didn’t get it lasered off or changed into something else. It’s bold and right there.” She smacked Famke’s boob.

“Why didn’t you say something?”

“Because you have enough happening with Royal and Precious and now Cliff living with you guys. I still can’t believe he left Imani.”

“He still won’t tell us what happened, but he showed up on Monday afternoon and asked if he could stay with us until he got his head on right. He said she’s gone off the deep end.”

“Well, you don’t need to be dealing with me and my pointless drama when you have real issues like phantom pregnancies,” she grinned suddenly, “which isn’t really a phantom pregnancy. You’re really not like those dogs on the vet shows on tv.”

“Shut up,” she shoved her friend playfully.

By the time they reached the house, they were both giggling and feeling better after venting their feelings. Famke noted the strange car in the driveway and the man standing there leaning against the vehicle while Cliff was telling him off.

“Who is that?” Nyx leaned sideways to look.

“I don’t know.”

The two women exited the vehicle, and the man called her name.

“Famke Noor?”

She nodded yes.

“Famke, go in the house,” Cliff tried to step between them.

“You’re interrupting the judicial process, sir.” The man rounded Cliff and shoved a manila envelope in her hand. “Miss Noor, you’ve been served.”

Famke pulled her head back. “Served?”

“Famke, I’m sorry,” Cliff sighed. “I told her if she went through with his I’d leave for good. I came here hoping she would realize I was serious.”

Famke’s trembling fingers opened up the envelope as the man walked to his car and drove away. She stood in the driveway staring at the documents. “She’s suing us for custody of Precious?”

“Yes. She said her lawyer told her since you never wanted Precious and even said you were never meant to be her mother, there was a good chance she could successfully challenge you and Royal for custody.” Cliff rubbed his face, sorrow coating his features. “I can’t believe she would go so far but she has it in her head this is what Prince would want.”

“Cliff, please don’t take this as a slight on your character, but your wife is a fucking cunt,” Nyx spat furiously as she dragged a shaking Famke into the house.

“She’s certainly changed a lot in the last year or so and I’m sorry you’re paying the price,” Cliff said as he followed them in. “I’ve called Royal to come home. I didn’t think she’d actually do it. I didn’t mention it when I came because I called her bluff and I thought she would think twice before throwing away forty years of marriage but,” he shook his head with disbelief, “I don’t even know who she is anymore.”

Famke noted the tears in the older man’s eyes and turned to hug him. “It’s not your fault Cliff.” She leaned into the embrace and felt her own eyes watering when she heard his sniff as he squeezed her in a bear hug. “She’s doing whatever she can to ease her guilt about Prince.”

“No matter what, you’re the right person to be with my granddaughter. I’ve been watching her come alive. Just these past few days being here and seeing her so vibrant and bold has been everything. Even when Mindy and Prince were alive, she was not this happy. You are good for her. I will gladly testify to this. No matter what Imani tries, we’ll make sure Precious stays with you and Royal.”

His chin rested atop her crown, and she felt, for the first time in an exceptionally long time, what it meant to have a dad hug her and she broke down in tears at the quiet reassurances of this man who was losing so much.

“What’s going on?” Royal entered the house in a rush, his eyes to Famke. “Did something happen at the doctor’s office?”

She turned in Cliff’s arms and held out the papers, knowing she was about to break Royal’s heart, “your mom is suing us for custody of Precious.”