| Subject: The New World - Part #48 |
Author:
Wanda
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Date Posted: 06:50:37 07/01/03 Tue
PART #48
Dr. Lasserre asked Catherine about her symptoms and how long she had been experiencing the nausea and vomiting. He asked if she felt feverish, or had a sore throat. Did she have any stomach cramps? Catherine explained all her symptoms, then Dr. Lasserre said, “Manobo tells me Joshua and you were married a few weeks ago in Jennings.” Catherine said, “Yes, that is correct.” He said, “I hope you won’t think this is forward of me, but I am wondering if you consummated the marriage.” Catherine looked down; and blushed, then answered, “Yes, Dr. Lasserre, the marriage was consummated.” He said, “Since I can’t find anything that would cause the nauseau and vomiting, as well as the fainting, I am wondering if you might be with child.”
Catherine was so shocked she didn’t know how to respond. She had never given pregnancy a thought. She and Joshua had been married for the short period of four hours, and they had been intimate only once. How could this have happened? She started crying, and the doctor asked, “Why are you crying? Most women are happy when they are told they may be with child.” Catherine said, “I’m sorry, but this is shocking news. You see my husband was killed shortly after we were married.” Dr. Lasserre said, “I am truly sorry, Madame. But look at the pregnancy in this way; your husband has left you with his child to love.” Catherine cried all the more.
Dr. Lasserre told her she would need to get much rest, and eat well. If there were any problems she was to contact him. He walked out of the room, and Catherine sat huddled in the chair crying. This was the worst possible news she could have received. Now that she had discovered the type of person Joshua really was, the last thing she wanted was to discover she was carrying his child. She hoped Dr. Lasserre was wrong, but something told her as she began to count back, he was not wrong in his assumption.
Dr. Lasserre walked down the stairs where Bow was waiting to talk with him. He asked, “Dr. Lasserre, what is wrong with Catherine?” The doctor said, “I believe that is something she should tell you; it is not my news to share.” Bow asked, “Is she terribly ill; will she be all right?” Dr. Lasserre said, “She is not terribly ill; she will be all right.” “But I don’t understand,” said Bow. Dr. Lasserre said, “You might go up, and look in on her. Let her tell you about her condition.”
Bow offered Dr. Lasserre some money, and he shook his head, “No, you will see me again. We can take care of this later.” He walked out the door, tied his medical bag across the horn of the saddle, climbed upon his horse, and started the ride back to Lake Charles.
Bow found the whole thing disconcerting. He started up the stairs, and thought he heard Catherine crying. There must be something terribly wrong with her, and the doctor did not want to break the news to him. He knocked on the door; and said, “Catherine, it’s Bow; may I come in?” “Bow, please, I need some time by myself. Can you come back later?” Bow backed away from the door, and started down the hall. He could hear her crying once again. If something were wrong he wanted to know about it. He turned around, walked back to the door, pushed it open, and walked into the room.
Catherine was shocked he had come into the room, and for a moment she stopped crying. She looked like a dismal child. Her face was all puffy and red, and it broke his heart to see her like that. She quickly put her hands up to her face to cover her blotchy skin. He rushed over to the chair where she was seated, and got down on his knee before her. Very gently, he pulled her hands away from her face, and said, “Catherine, please tell me what the doctor had to say.” She looked at him; and with tears running down her cheeks, she said, “He told me he thought I was with child.”
To be continued...
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