Damita woke up to find yet another woman, this time a white and very pale, yet cheery, redhead in a pink uniform, standing over her.
“How do you feel, Ms. Whitmore?” the woman asked, with a smile.
“I’m fine,” Damita responded, eventually.
She handed Damita a sanitary napkin and her clothing.
“There are cookies, crackers and juice in the next room if you’d like to sit awhile after you’ve dressed.”
“Where can I put on my clothes?” Damita asked.
“Right around the corner there,” the woman said, pointing to the right.
After changing, Damita considered grabbing a quick snack, but when she saw how many other women were also there, she decided against it. She had no desire to socialize. Instead she took her post-procedure information, and met Wendy in the lobby.
“You okay?” Wendy asked.
“I’m fine.”
“Thanks, Wendy. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
“No problem. I didn’t mind at all, but I’m curious. How come you didn’t ask Carmella?”
“What do you mean?” Damita asked.
“Well, we’re cool and all, but Carmella’s your girl.”
“I knew if I asked you I wouldn’t have to go through a whole bunch of explaining. One of the downsides to having friends that you have known since childhood is, at some point, nothing is considered personal.”
“I completely get it. I’m glad you considered me enough of a friend to feel comfortable asking.”
“Of course you’re my friend.”
“Now, let’s get you home. You could use some rest.”
Damita was happy to find Neal was not at home when she got there. She was also happy to see that he must have, surprisingly, listened to her when she asked him not to have the driver keep such close tabs on her. It was her assumption that if he were still following her, today would have definitely been the day that she was confronted. She considered picking up her new birth control prescription, but decided she would do it when she went to work. From now on she would leave her pills at work and take them there. Although, she wasn’t sure she would ever want to willingly have sex with Neal again. She decided she would take Wendy’s advice and get some rest. She was asleep within a matter of minutes.
Neal was in a good mood when he got home and even though Damita was pissed off about what he had done, she decided it was in her best interest not to rub it in his face that she had taken matters into her own hands.
“Hey, sleepyhead,” Neal said.
“Hey.”
“You okay? You look a little pale.”
“I’m okay. My period is kicking my butt this month. That’s all.”
“Oh. You want some tea?”
“Tea would be nice.”
“I’ll cook dinner tonight,” Neal said.
“Thanks!”
After dinner, they watched television for a short while. Damita then excused herself and went to bed.
“I’ll be in after the news,” Neal said.
“Okay.”
Damita hoped he would fall asleep on the couch, as he sometimes did. However, he got into bed with her sometime around eleven-thirty. She was happy she had mentioned that it was her time of the month; at least she wouldn’t have to worry about him trying to have sex with her. However, it didn’t stop him from pulling her into his arms as soon as he got into bed. Once he was asleep, Damita removed his arms from around her and moved as far to the other side of the bed as possible.
The next morning Damita made sure she was up and out of the house before Neal woke up. Her recent procedure still fresh in her memory, Neal was the last person she wanted to see. She figured she could use the time to fully commit her energy to her work. When she arrived at the office at seven forty-five, she was surprised to find that Mr. Underhill was already there.
“Now, that’s what I like to see; my employees in the office bright and early and ready to take on the world.”
“That I am. Anything good going on?” Damita asked.
“Indeed. We’re romancing Kushner and Sloate.”
“Are you kidding me? That corporation has been on my wish list since I got into this game.”
“I’m happy to hear you say that, because I want you to be the one to bring them in. Despite the high praise you have given some of your colleagues, you’re the woman for the job.”
“Thanks, Mr. Underhill. I appreciate your confidence in me. I won’t let you down.”
“Please see to it that you don’t.”
Damita said, “I’m on it.”
“And, Damita, there’s a bit more to sweeten the pot.”
“Please, tell me more!” she said, excitedly.