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remember?”
“Well, I remember going to the safe room,” I began, “and red. Angry red.” I tried to be as vague as possible.
“Anything else?” She didn't look up.
I stared at the top of head. Her orange fluffy curls didn't move though she was bent over a clip board. It was easier to lie when she wasn't looking at me.
“I think I blacked out. That’s all I remember.” I shrugged for emphasis.
“All right.” Dr. Flynn stopped scribbling long enough to take my hands in hers. She turned my arms over, examining the marks I had made. “Did this happen this weekend?”
I looked away. “Yes.”
She frowned but said, “Don't worry. It happens.”
I wanted to ask her what she meant, but couldn't find the courage. Instead I asked, “Am I done?”
The nurse laughed. Dr. Flynn looked apologetic. “No. We have to do the physical examination now. I need you to lie back.”
The nurse guided my shoulders down until I was completely on my back. A knot formed in my stomach. I crossed my fingers over it. Gloved hands guided my feet to extensions of the table.
“This won't hurt. Just some pressure.” Something metal flashed in Dr. Flynn's hand. The nurse clicked on a round light behind the doctor and moved it just above her shoulder. Coldness plunged into me and I stiffened, pulling in an involuntary gasp.
“It's okay, sweetie.” Molly patted my knee. Pressure mounted until it was almost pain. Dr. Flynn called out medical terms and the nurse wrote on the clipboard. I stared at the ceiling, trying to ignore the scraping and prodding. Finally, the pressure subsided until it was gone.
“All done.” Dr. Flynn snapped off her gloves and threw then into a waste basket. Nurse Molly clicked off the light and helped me into a sitting position. Once she was finished scribbling on her clipboard, she smiled brightly at me. “This is unofficial of course, but it looks like you’ll be cleared for hunting.”
“Oh, thanks.” I managed a small smile. So this exam was for predetermining who could hunt.
The nurse helped me off the table. I shivered as my feet hit the chilly floor. There were no lines at any of the cubicles. The locker room was almost empty. Rally had already changed and sat on the bench, examining a slip of paper in her hand.
“How did it go?” I slid into my underwear and leggings before taking off the gown.
“Awful.” She shuddered. “We get the rest of the day off though.” Rally waved a typed excuse in the air.
“Mine wasn't fun either...At least we know why we had to do it.” I watched her, waiting for her reaction.
“We do?” Her eyes widened. She put her feet on the bench and rested her chin on her knees. “Why? How did you find out?”
I raised my eyebrow. “Didn't your doctor tell you? They are checking girls before they hunt. Medically clearing us.”
Rally scrunched her face. “No. My doctor really didn't tell me anything. Just gave orders.”
“Oh.” I looked at my own excuse. I wanted to go home and go to bed, sleep away the terrible morning. If I did, Nana would be there and most certainly would have questions I didn't want to answer. She would show Mother the excuse and I would have to spend the entire evening rehashing my examination. Rally didn't seem to be in a hurry to get home either. I dressed quickly and held up my lunch.
“Hungry? How about that picnic?”
“Yes!” She clapped her hands together. We passed the twins arguing with Susie in hushed voices on the way out. They stopped talking and glared at us as we walked by. Rally and I exchanged glances. Once we were outside the locker room we burst into laughter. The nervous excitement of the day had worn us down. We leaned on each other gasping and giggling back all the way to our bikes. I didn't know what was so funny. I didn't care.
We rode a few blocks to a small park with a path that snaked around several gardens. In the center of the park was a large tree shading a grassy area. We dropped out bikes and sat under the tree.