hand and talk to you if you need him to. Does that help ease your fears any?”
She nodded. “Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir.”
“Very good. So, I’m gonna bring this strap under your breasts and secure it, then I’ll put one over your hips. We’re also gonna strap your feet to the stirrups and your wrists to the table.”
“Could you please leave my hands free, Sir?”
Jim shook his head. “No, Kelly. It’s all or nothin’. So, what do you say?”
She turned from him for a second, so he grabbed another tissue and turned her back to face him. With the gentlest touch possible, he wiped away those small traces of her unhappiness and soothed her by running his fingers through her hair. “All better?” he asked when her tears stopped. She nodded uneasily. Again, not an appropriate response, but he let it go. “That’s my brave girl. I’m gonna strap you in tight now, so take a deep breath and relax.”
Receiving another nod, he made sure she was well-secured to the table, pausing a moment to catch her gaze before he fastened her wrists. Then Jim checked her pulse and respiration while George positioned her feet in the stirrups and strapped them in place. First step accomplished without too much stress. Her breathing was a trace faster than normal, but her color looked good and she was fairly relaxed. She tensed a little when George touched her legs, but Jim held her chin for a moment and shook his head, so she closed her eyes and allowed George to position and secure her feet to the stirrups.
“Good girl. I’m real proud of you, Kelly girl. I know this ain’t easy, but you’re doin’ great,” he encouraged, slipping on a pair of latex gloves. She attempted to give him a wan smile, so he smiled back. “Okay, darlin’. I’m gonna sit now, so take one more deep breath for me, then let your muscles go lax. Very good,” he praised, sitting on the small rolling stool he’d positioned for his purposes. The moment he touched her she jerked. “Settle down, Kelly. That’s just my fingers. I’m only lookin’ so relax, darlin’. This part is easy.” He nodded for George to monitor her pulse and breathing and hold her hand if she needed more reassurance.
Jim shook his head. He didn’t understand it. Women did this at least once a year, yet they almost always freaked out when he told them what he was going to do. “She’s a medium I think, George. Yup that one. Okay Kelly, I’m gonna open you up a bit now to get a better look, so I want you to take a deep breath and relax for me.” When she did, he slipped the speculum in. She immediately tensed and tried to buck. They always did, and he knew what he was doing wasn’t painful. So, he rose and said, “Kelly! That’s enough. Calm down at once, girl. This doesn’t hurt.”
Her forehead wrinkled with obvious discomfort. “But it’s uncomfortable, Sir.”
He frowned at her. “It wouldn’t be if you’d relax like I told you to. Now do you wish to please me or not?”
“Yes, Sir,” she replied, her voice a whisper now.
“Then I expect you to do exactly as I say. Deep breath, young lady. Now!”
She obeyed him, but tears still filled her eyes. He shook his head, resumed his seat and opened the speculum to check for any conditions that might hinder their pleasure.
The muscles in her thighs and legs tensed as she tried to clamp down on the instrument. She was only making this exam more difficult for herself.
“Please, Sir. It’s hurting.”
“George.” Jim gave the young man a nod, knowing Kelly would be a lot more comfortable if he concentrated on finishing up and removed the device. She held herself so tightly, he didn’t doubt she was hurting.
Jim heard George encouraging Kelly to take deep breaths and relax, but from his viewpoint, he could tell it wasn’t working. However, everything looked normal and healthy. Inserting a small instrument shaped like a swab, except with markings, he took a quick measurement.
“Sir?” Kelly called,