With Desi off to camp and food in Sophia’s stomach, we headed to the hospital. Luckily for us, the doctor’s morning was open, so we didn’t wait long after I checked in. Walking down that long hallway felt like a funeral march. I didn’t think I was going to die, but I had no idea what would meet me in that room. The doctor awaited us and invited me to change into a gown and sit on the bed. So far, so good. I’d done that before the last time I was here. Just like last time, the doctor asked what brought me in, and I told him everything, beginning with the vacation and cleaning up the beach to the abduction and stomach pain. His pen scratched across his notebook so fast I thought I should slow down, but he needed all the facts to make an informed decision. I left nothing out. After my brain dump, he drew blood to run tests and told me to sit tight.
He left us alone for several minutes with nothing but the annoying ticking clock to keep us company. Sophia hopped up on the bed with me and rested her hand on my knee. We hadn’t said much to each other since he left with my blood. We just sat there, worried, waiting for the results. I tried to think of other reasons for my predicament, as if one scenario were better than the other. If the abduction was not a coincidence, maybe they implanted a device in me some kind of way. A tracker? But how?? I had no scars. After what felt like an eternity, the doctor barged in. He stopped in front of me, reading papers from his clipboard. When he was done, he nodded, as if to confirm to the papers he read and understood the information. Sophia squeezed my shoulder and whispered into my ear, “Whatever this is, we’ll handle it together.”
The doctor stowed the results and got back to business.
“Okay, folks, the good news is you’re not poisoned or dying. You’re pregnant! The bad news is obstetrics is not my area, so I’ll have to refer you to someone else. Congrats, though.”
I blinked.
Pregnant?
I blinked again.
Pregnant?!
“I’m sorry—what?” Sophia asked.
I appreciated the calmness in her voice, but she was just as confused as I was. That blasted clock ticked louder than any sound I’d ever heard. I stared at his lips, waiting—begging—for him to say, “Happy Prank Day!” But he just stood there, waiting for me to say something, but I couldn’t speak. I honestly would have preferred some rare disease or something. At least then, if I lost a bunch of weight or hair, I could explain it and everyone would understand. But being pregnant?? Who’s gonna understand that?! No one knew anyone abducted by aliens, let alone impregnated by them!
“Let’s get you over to obstetrics,” the doctor said. “They’ll be able to give you more information than I can.”
Sophia looked at me, stunned, then back at the doctor.
“Is this a joke?”
He parted his lips as if to tread lightly, like he didn’t anticipate our reaction or something.
“I understand how shocking this is. I assure you, this is not a joke. If it’s any consolation, these things happen way more than you think.”
Sophia went pale, but her hand never left me.
“No,” I said when I finally found my voice. “No, that’s not right. It’s impossible! I’m a dude, doc! I don’t even have the…the parts for that! Run more tests. It can’t be that!”
I wanted to cry, throw up, and punch something all at the same time. A baby? In my belly?? I didn’t believe it and looked down to check it out for myself. Sure enough, I had put on a few pounds in the middle. I’d been so concerned about the pain and hiding my experience from Sophia, I never even noticed. But I was still stuck on how the baby got there in the first place.
“But … There’s no scars! They didn’t cut me!”
“Alien tech is Lightyears ahead of ours,” doc said. “They probably used some really advanced nanotech small enough to insert through one of your pores.”
“But, I—I thought I was just getting old or something!”
The hitch in my voice threatened to crumble my entire system. Sophia squeezed me even tighter.
“It’s not your fault, babe,” she said with glassy eyes.
The doctor cleared his throat.
“I know this is a lot to process, so I’m gonna go update your chart. When you’re ready, head down to room 3. Dr. McKnight will be able to answer all of your questions.”
He nodded politely and exited as quickly as he came.
I couldn’t let go of my belly.
“There’s something alive in there??”
I looked over at Sophia, who was trying to hide tears, and temporarily set aside my problems.
“Sophia, are you-“
She waved me away.
“Don’t. I’m here for you right now,” she said, sniffing and wiping tears. “We can talk about me later.”
I shook my head in amazement.
“How do you do that?”
She put her hand on the small of my back, signaling it was time to leave.
“It’s part of the job. Are you ready to go?”
“I don’t think I have a choice.”
