“Hmm,” Dr. Kendrickson glared pointed eyes toward Calix. “Are you certain of this, Mr. McKnight?”
Calix didn’t even shift in his seat as he stared, without blinking, at Dr. Kendrickson. “I think you can agree that I am paying you exceedingly well for your services today, Doctor. If you have an issue with giving the shot to Nova, then I’ll simply find another doctor who is willing.” At my open mouthed stare, Calix added. “Whether we have a child or not is none of your concern, Dr. Kendrickson. I suggest you give Mrs. McKnight the Depo-Provera before I change my mind, withdraw my payment, and send you flying back to Canada coach.”
I didn’t miss the enunciation Calix provided for my new name, and I knew that Dr. Kendrickson didn’t miss it either. How could she? It had been spoken with such cold venom.
“Yes, well,” Dr. Kendrickson turned to me and I tried to shake the oddity of Calix’s harsh tenseness from my mind as I focused my attention on her. “If you’re sure you want the shot.”
“Shot?” I repeated. “I was thinking maybe the pill.”
The Doctors eyes swung once again to Calix, before she continued. “If you’re firm on not wanting children, I am advising the shot to you today, Mrs. McKnight. You and Mr. McKnight have an obviously hectic life. If you miss the pill once you risk the chance of becoming pregnant.”
“Oh.” I swallowed. “Well, I suppose it’s the shot then?”
She didn’t miss the question in my statement. “The Depo-Provera is your best option at the current state of your life. Every twelve weeks you’ll need to come see me for another shot, but once it’s given you have no need to worry about the activities you partake in.”
I breathed a long, slow breath from between my lips as I glanced at Calix. My heart did a little jump in my chest as I realized he was watching me curiously, almost hopefully. Did he want me to back out? As much as I wanted to please him, and do all that he wanted, bringing an innocent child into the mess that was our existence would be foolish and wrong.
Turning my attention back to Dr. Kendrickson, I forced a smile and spoke. “Where do you give me the shot?”
She smiled softly, but I could see she was uncomfortable. Did she not believe in birth control once a couple was married? If not, then she really was in the wrong profession. I was positive she saw plenty of patients who requested some form of birth control - I couldn’t possibly be the first and there was simply no other reason for her discomfort.
“I’ll apply the Depo-Provera into your arm.”
“Oh, good.” I breathed. I had an embarrassing little fear that I had to take it in my butt cheek.
Dr. Kendrickson quirked a curious brow at my obvious relief and I blushed. “I’m ready whenever you are.”
Again, Dr. Kendrickson looked to Calix for what appeared to be confirmation, and he nodded through angry eyes. Shaking off the chill of his obvious anger, Dr. Kendrickson opened the small case she had with her. There were two needles in the case along with sanitary pads and other forms of medical supplies I couldn’t place. Donning clear gloves, she wiped a sanitary pad over my arm and then I watched her hand hover over one vial, before quickly shifting to the other. She plucked it from the case before assembling it into the needle, which she tore from its sanitary wrap. Taking a deep breath, her face paled and she poked me in the arm. When the last drop of the liquid in the vial had been deposited, she pulled the needle back, offered me a tightlipped smile, before she tossed the needle into her case and stood.
“It was nice meeting you, Mrs. McKnight.” She said stiffly before looking to Calix. “I’ll be on my way. I have a private flight to catch.”
“You made the right choice, Dr. Kendrickson.” Calix informed and I couldn’t help but find his wording peculiar, but I wasn’t about to question his meaning.
“Goodbye.” Dr. Kendrickson walked quickly from the room, disappearing through the bedroom door within seconds. I mean, the woman had practically run from the room and she’d looked frighteningly close to tears.
I turned to Calix. “Does she not believe in birth control?”
His blue eyes moved from the closed door of our bedroom to me before he answered. “Something like that, love.”
I scoffed. “Then she’s in the wrong profession.” I blushed at my statement, quickly adding. “I mean, she’s very nice. But I highly doubt birth control is an odd request.”
Calix didn’t reply. Instead, he stood. “What would you like to do today?”
Calix had allowed me to choose everything we’d done without a bit of a struggle. I found this odd as well, but I decided he felt guilty for the way he’d treated Dr. Kendrickson in front of me, so I didn’t ask about his odd behavior. Instead, I reveled in the abundance of choice. We’d walked the streets of Athens for hours. I’d pointed out everything, eager to explain the things I knew from my extensive research of Greece and what I didn’t know, to Calix’s horror, I’d asked the citizens.