I was on the fast track to getting my doctorate and I had no intention of slowing down. I was in summer school, and summer classes always went faster than regular semester classes. My classes would end in July then I’d have a month off school before I started my third semester, I’d be more than halfway done. Tina had toyed with the idea and finally decided to go back and get her MSN, she applied and was accepted into U.C.L.A.’s nursing program and would start classes in the fall. She found a job at a hospital in West Hollywood that was inbetween mine and Kit’s place, it was a couple streets over from The Planet as well.

Tina and Eric’s divorce had been finalized and a joint custody agreement was granted to them. Tina would have him seventy-five percent of the time, with Eric getting him every weekend and splitting holidays. He didn’t contest the decision. They were civil to each other for Jackson’s sake and used Ms. Poteet’s home as a mutual meeting place to drop and pick Jackson up. Seeing how the two older women knew what was going on and they remained mutual about it, the judge allowed it.

It was almost June and my birthday was approaching. I made it clear to Kit that I didn’t want a birthday party, but I knew her too well. She had already been planning something. Tina had already made dinner reservations and had a birthday idea in mind. Jackson’s birthday was around the corner as well, his being the third and mine the tenth. We decided to have a pool party and invite his friends from school and their parents.

”Hey sweetheart, I’m about to get to work, meet me for lunch?”

”Of course my love,” I said and smiled.

”It looks like I’m working in the clinic today, so I can meet you at The Planet for lunch at one.”

”Alright, have a great day at work, I love you.”

”Love you too babe.”

As Tina walked onto her shift, she noticed that it wasn’t as busy as she had thought. Only a few people were in the waiting room and she grabbed her first chart of the day. After a few hours she made her way to the cafeteria to get a cup of coffee to get her going until lunch. After that her day went by a little faster, after her lunch with Bette she saw one patient after another.

”Before the doctor comes in, I have just a few questions to ask.”

”Ok,” the girl said, nervously looking around.

”What’s the reason for your visit?”

”Ah, I’m sick, like all the time. I’m always like throwing up and I’m gaining wait and stuff.”

”Could you possibly be pregnant?”

”Um, maybe, I don’t know.”

”When was your last menstrual cycle?”

”Um, I don’t remember,” the silly girl replied.

”You don’t remember? Try and remember what you were doing the last time you had your period. Did you catch a basket ball game? Were you drinking a green beer at an Irish Pub or..” Tina started to say when a stunning realization hit her. She dropped the patient file and walked quickly out of the room.

”Hey,” she heard the girl call.

She ran to the supply closet, grabbed a small box and ran to the bathroom. Please, no, please let it be negative. She thought to herself. After a few minutes she had her answer.