Faith Wish by James Bennett Page B

it to Mrs. Howard. The nurse handed it to a lab technician, then took Anne-Marie back to her office.
    â€œWhile we’re waiting for the test results, I’d like to ask you a few lifestyle questions,” she said to Anne-Marie.
    â€œOkay.”
    â€œIf it turns out you are pregnant, one of the first things you need to do is pay attention to your health habits. Do you smoke?”
    â€œNo,” she answered quickly. But she could feel Eleanor’s eyes boring in from her left side, so she added, “Not anymore. I used to smoke with this boyfriend I had.”
    â€œGood. No smoking. Any drugs?”
    â€œNo.” She could have added the same proviso with respect to the Richard part of her life, but she decided to keep the answers simple. Besides, all she ever did with him was smoke some cigarettes with a little rock powder inside the tobacco.
    â€œYou will want to watch your diet. One of the simplest good habits is to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, especially leafy ones like lettuce and cabbage.”
    â€œI like salads,” said Anne-Marie.
    â€œGood. They provide you with plenty of folic acid, which is important for women who are pregnant.”
    Anne-Marie tried to remember if anyone had ever called her a woman before. The nurse asked her, “Are you taking any medication?”
    â€œNo. Sometimes I take aspirin when I get headaches. Or Alka-Seltzer when my stomach is upset.”
    Nurse Howard smiled. “It sounds like you might be suffering from a little morning sickness.”
    â€œMore than a little.”
    â€œI’m sorry. If you’re pregnant, that’s not an unusual set of symptoms, but it doesn’t last forever.”
    â€œThank God for that.”
    â€œBut from now on take ibuprofen, not aspirin. You look to be in good health, Anne-Marie. Am I right?”
    â€œYes, I think so. I don’t have much appetite lately.”
    â€œYour appetite will return, dear. Trust me. You look healthy for sure, nice and firm and athletic.”
    â€œI’m not really an athlete, unless you count cheerleading.”
    â€œI do count that,” said the nurse with another smile.
    Then the lab technician appeared with the test results, which he placed on Nurse Howard’s desk. She studied the form for a moment or two while Anne-Marie squirmed. “Well?” she asked. “What does it say?”
    â€œYou were right. You’re pregnant.”
    Immediately, Anne-Marie felt the knot in her stomach tighten. “I don’t know what to do,” she blurted out.
    â€œIt’s a good sign that you’re willing to admit it, which means it’s good that you’re here. When we aren’t sure, the wisest thing we can do is ask for help.”
    Eleanor spoke for the first time. “Can Anne-Marie come back for additional counseling at a later date?”
    â€œOf course. Just make an appointment. If you make the decision to carry the child to term, which it sounds like you have, you can have the best prenatal care right here in our clinic. I can’t say for sure, but if you haven’t had a period for two months, I’d guess you must be six or seven weeks along.”
    â€œSix or seven weeks,” Anne-Marie repeated numbly.
    â€œIn which case,” the nurse continued, “you’ll need a thorough prenatal exam in a month or two. If we’re going to have babies, we need healthy ones, as well as healthy mothers.”
    First she called me a woman and now she calls me a mother . It was all too, too scary. “Where would I have this exam?”
    â€œYou could have it here with us, or you could have it with your family doctor, if you prefer. I’m going to give you some literature to take home, as well as this form, which confirms you had a positive pregnancy test in our lab on today’s date. You can show it to anyone or no one. That’s up to you.”
    One of the pamphlets Nurse Howard passed