Read November Blues for Free Online

“You have nothing to be afraid of. I’m going to take good care of you, okay?”
    November nodded and let herself be examined. She was glad she had chosen a woman doctor. She figured having this exam done by a male gynecologist would be a little like getting a car checked by somebody who had never owned a car.
    The whole examination was incredibly embarrassing. She had to put her feet into those footrest things—the doctor called them stirrups. Isn’t that what you use when you ride a horse? November thought. The effect was the same—her legs were spread wide apart. The doctor began inserting a cold metal examining tool into the most private part of her body. Even though she was covered by a paper sheet, November felt nasty as the doctor palpated her belly and checked her rectum.
    â€œSit up, dear, put your clothes on so you’ll be warm and comfortable—I know it’s like a refrigerator in here—and let’s talk. I’ll see you in my office in five minutes.”
    November, terrified of what the woman would say, hurriedly got dressed and found her way down the hall to Dr. Holland’s office, which was decorated with dozens of pictures of laughing, smiling babies. She relaxed a little as the doctor sat down.
    â€œYou’re almost three months pregnant, November,” Dr. Holland said without preamble.
    November inhaled quickly, even though she already knew. This was the official confirmation. “Is my baby okay?” she whispered.
    â€œAs far as I can tell right now, yes, of course. But a healthy baby needs good prenatal care. You shouldn’t have waited so long to see me, and you must promise me you will return every month for checkups.”
    â€œI promise.” November felt like a preschooler being scolded by her teacher. How could she feel like such a child when her body was acting like an adult? “How big is it?” she finally asked.
    The doctor smiled. “About the size and weight of four quarters in your hand.”
    â€œThat small?” November exclaimed.
    The doctor nodded. “Would you like me to walk you through the story of your child’s life to this point?” she offered.
    â€œYes, please. I thought I knew all this stuff from health class, but…it didn’t seem like info I’d need for…”
    â€œI hear you. Okay, so, according to what you told me,somewhere around January twenty-ninth, a ripened egg burst out of your ovary. Several hundred million of Josh’s sperm headed for that egg. A couple hundred survived the trip. But just one of those bad boys got through.”
    November tried to suppress a giggle. Somehow the doctor’s description sounded just like something Josh would say.
    Dr. Holland continued, “As soon as the winner sperm broke through your egg’s membrane, the rest of them gave up and went home. And in that instant, your baby’s sex and skin color and hair color was determined.”
    â€œFor real? Just like that? It’s already a boy or a girl?”
    â€œYes. And it’s already destined to have sandy brown hair or copper-colored skin, or whatever coloring it will end up with.”
    â€œI had no idea,” November said in amazement. “Then what happened?”
    â€œBy the end of February, that fertilized egg had divided lots of times. Then it connected itself to the wall of your uterus—a safe, soft resting place.”
    â€œSo why do I feel sick all the time?”
    â€œYour body is adjusting to its new visitor. It takes a little time to make all the systems work together. You should start to feel better next month.”
    â€œDoes it look like a baby, or just a glob of cells and stuff?” November asked, not sure how to word the questions swirling in her head.
    â€œAt this stage it’s called an embryo, but it looks like a teeny, incomplete person. It’s got little feet already.”
    â€œWow,” said November.