NEW YORK CITY, NY – KIRSTIN’S LOFT – FEB. 12ND, 2002 – Monday

     It was 2 pm when Kirstin was putting on some decent clothes and brushing her teeth.

     The doctor’s appointment had come. It was Monday and Kirstin had gotten the ok from her boss to visit the doctor. Ashley had arrived the day before, but too late, so he went straight to the hotel with the guys and didn’t drop by Kirstin’s that day. He had called her the night before and made the arrangements so they’d meet at the doctor’s at 3 pm.

NEW YORK CITY, NY – DOCTOR’S – FEB. 12ND, 2002 – Monday

     Kirstin arrived and Ashley was already there, in the waiting room.

     “Hey...” she approached Ashley, who was reading a People Magazine.

     “Hey!” he kissed her softly after she sat beside him “Are you nervous?” he asked, seeing Kirstin playing with her fingers.

     “Yes. What if it’s something really serious?”

     “I’m pretty sure it won’t be. But we’ll find out in a few minutes.”

     “I guess…”

     The waiting was silent. Kirstin and Ashley were both worried about the results. What if it was something serious? Ashley wasn’t sure if he could handle Kirstin being sick and Kirstin didn’t wanna be sick.

     “Ms. Addams?” the receptionist called out. Kirstin immediately stood up “Right this way, please.” The nice girl smiled and led her and Ashley to the doctor’s room.

     “Hello, Ms. Addams. I’m Dr. Harry Bristow. How are you?” the nice grey-headed man shook Kirstin’s hand as soon as she got into the room.

     “Fine.” Kirstin lied.

     “Good. And you are?” the doctor turned to Ashley.

     “Oh, I’m Ashley. Her boyfriend.”

     “Oh, yes. How are you?”

     “Fine.” Ashley also lied.

     When everyone was seated, Ashley took Kirstin’s hand in his. He was worried, but he wanted her to realize he was there for her. And Kirstin felt that. It was like he was her rock.

     “So, what seems to be the problem with you, Ms. Addams? Such a young girl as yourself.” the sweet man smiled.

     “Well…” Kirstin had to really put some effort into smiling back “I’ve always had these stomachaches. Every since I was a child. Kinda like menstrual cramps. But stronger.”

     “Right.” the doctor said while taking notes on his pad “And have you ever checked on that?”

     “Yes. My last doctor said it was related to stress and nervousness.”

     “Ok.” Dr. Bristow said “Do you take something for that?”

     “Yes. Lexol.”

     “Ok. Carry on.” the doctor took note of that too.

     “And this last month it’s worsened. I think it has to do with all the things I’ve been through the last month.”

     “Ok. Would you like to share those?” Dr. Bristow looked up at her and smiled to gain her confidence. He was really good with that soothing voice of his.

     “Well…” Kirstin looked at Ashley and he also had to do some major effort to smile and give her confidence enough to carry on “I had to call off my wedding because my fiancée was cheating was me.”

     “Oh, I’m so sorry, dear. It really must have been painful to you. But I see you’re doing fine now. Got yourself a pretty charming young man.”

     “Yeah…” Kirstin looked tenderly at Ashley.

     “So, Ms. Addams, if you say you’ve had these pains every since you were a child, it must have just gotten worse due to that. But it also can be something more serious.”

     “Such as?” it was the first time Ashley was speaking up.

     “Well, it could be an ulcer, a gastritis or, and I don’t mean to alarm you two, but worst case scenario, it can be a stomach cancer.”

     “Cancer?” Kirstin almost screamed and Ashley just swallowed hard.

     “Yes. I’m telling that’s the worst case scenario. I’m just trying to warn you guys in case that’s it, so you won’t be shocked later on. As I told you, and what it probably is, your state could have just worsen and we can solve that with stronger medication. But we are gonna have to run a few tests to be sure. So…” he said while grabbing a different pad and started to write “You’re gonna have to go to this place right here to have your blood taken then they’ll send me the results. If the results show something really out of ordinary, we’re gonna have to do some other tests and we’ll see how that turns out, alright?”

     “Yes.” Kirstin stuttered to say that word.

     “And when are we gonna hear the results?” Ashley asked. Now he was more worried than when he had arrived and he thought it wouldn’t be possible.

     “She’ll only be able to take the blood tomorrow morning, because you have to go 8 hours without food or water. So, if she does go tomorrow, I’m gonna have the results with me back on Wednesday. On your way out, just inform my secretary that you’ll be returning on Wednesday just to get the results and she’ll find a place in my schedule.”

     “Ok.” both Ashley and Kirstin said together.

     “Good. But Ms. Addams, don’t worry. I’m sure everything is gonna be fine. Whatever it is, we’re gonna take care of it.”

     “Ok.” Kirstin said as standing up. They shook Dr. Bristow’s hand and left the room.

 

     The walk to Kirstin’s car was quite.

     “Cancer?” Kirstin shouted once they were inside her car “I might have cancer?”

     “Calm down, Kirstin. The doctor says it’s the worst case scenario.”

     “Of course! What could be worse than that?” Kirstin yelled and shook her head.

     “K, calm down, please! You don’t have cancer! You heard him. Probably your case had just worsened, that’s all.”

     “Yeah, right. What do you know?” Kirstin looked the other way and they didn’t exchange a word until Ashley pulled the car in front of his hotel.

     “Listen, I gotta stay here.”

     “Fine.” Kirstin stormed out of the car and opened the door so Ashley would come out of it. He just didn’t know what to do.

     “K, listen.” he said when he got out of the car “Everything’s gonna be fine, alright? We’re gonna go there at 2 pm on Wednesday and he’s gonna tell us just what medication to take that will make the pain go away. I’m sure it’s nothing.” but Ashley wasn’t that sure. He was more worried than ever. What if it was cancer? What would they do?

     “Yeah, right.”

     “K, it won’t help if you get mad at me. It’s not my fault.”

     “Oh, so it’s my fault, then?” Kirstin snapped.

     “No! It’s not one’s fault! For Christ’s Sake! You’re worried about something that may not even exist! Just stop that, alright? Your stomach can get worst if you keep that attitude. It won’t help you at all.” Ashley was being reasonable.

     “I guess…” Kirstin decided to chill.

     “Ok, good. I’m sorry I won’t be able to stay with you tonight, but I’ll go to your house on Wednesday morning. You won’t go to school or work that day, ok? Just tell your boss you have to go back to the doctor’s.”

     “Ok, ok.”

     “Ok, then. Now, I have to go. Look at me.” Ashley pulled her chin up and Kirstin looked deeply into his eyes “Everything is gonna be fine.” as good as that sounded, Kirstin didn’t know if she could believe in Ashley this time.

     “Yeah.” Kirstin said and Ashley kissed her passionately.

     “Now go. We’ll talk.”

     “Ok. Bye.” she kissed him softly on the lips and drove off. Ashley watched her until the car disappeared into the traffic.