Page 95 of Family Bonds- Gabriela & Luca

“Sometimes in that area I feel these like bubbles. Like gas.”

“Got it.” This was tricky. “Would you mind stepping out, Cora? I’ll call the nurse in, but I’d like to talk to Taylor first, if that is okay?”

Cora looked at Taylor and got her nod. “Okay. Is it serious? I feel that I should stay, but I’m trying to give her some freedom to make decisions too.”

“It’s just a conversation.”

“It’s okay, Aunt Cora,” Taylor said. “It’s kind of embarrassing.”

Cora laughed and moved out. He saw Kate in the hall and waved her in. “Hey, I need you in here.” The door was open until Kate made her way.

“Do you need me to get a gown?” Kate asked.

“Not yet.” He didn’t really think he had to do a pelvic exam. He could get his answer another way. “Taylor, is there any chance that you might be pregnant?”

“What?” Taylor asked, her eyes wide enough, you’d think he’d just asked if she were an alien.

He changed courses. “Are you sexually active?”

“Yeah. But not often. I mean, it’s only been a few times and we use condoms. Mostly.”

He held back the groan. “When was your last period?”

She shrugged, looking a little panicked now. “I don’t know. Not that long ago. I never really kept track and it’s never been regular or anything. But I’m positive I got it a few weeks ago.”

Maybe he was wrong and if he was, then they had a serious issue on their hands because something was growing in Taylor’s abdomen.

“Was it normal? Lighter, heavier?”

“I don’t really pay attention to those things, or remember. Maybe lighter.”

“Well, we’ve got two options here. Because you are sexually active, I have to rule out pregnancy. I can do a pelvic exam, or you can take a urine test. That’s much easier and will verify it faster.”

“Urine,” Taylor said immediately. “Are you going to tell my aunt?”

“First, there isn’t anything to tell her. Not until we get the results. But you are a minor in her care. One step at a time. Kateis going to take you to the bathroom and there are cups in there.” He made eye contact with Kate. “Tell them it’s urgent.”

“Got it,” Kate said, then led Taylor out.

Cora returned while he was typing into his computer.

“Is she pregnant?” Cora asked.

He looked up, but couldn’t answer. He wasn’t surprised Cora put that together. “She’s taking a urine test right now to rule out a UTI, among other things.”

Cora was shaking her head. “I should have known. Her mother kicked her out. She couldn’t handle her with all the other kids in the house. I didn’t want her on the streets or to end up in the system and thought bringing her to the island would be easier. A change of environment and not so many tempting things right at her fingertips.”

He was just letting Cora talk. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

Taylor returned, Kate held up the sample and walked down to get it tested.

“Are you having sex?” Cora asked Taylor. “Could you be pregnant? I need to know what is going on.”

He didn’t want to get in the middle of a family conversation. These were landmines he tried to tiptoe around.

“I’m sixteen,” Taylor said. “I’ve got a boyfriend.”

“Who is it?”