Page 41 of Under Rusted Stars

“Yes?” Kate asks, walking over to my window.

“Kate. Luke. Liv wants you two to join us. We are going to the clinic to handle something for her, and she’d like support,” Bodhi explains.

“Oh shit. Are you okay?” Kate asks me

Rhett is standing with them, so Bodhi glances at me.

“It’s fine. As long as he doesn’t be weird,” I sigh.

“She has a Bartholin cyst that has become rather severe, so I am going to take care of it for her.”

“Oh Jesus,” Kate says. “I’ve had one of those. Awful. I’m so sorry. Are you in pain?”

“A lot,” I say.

“Isn’t that a vulvar cyst?” Rhett asks.

“Yeah, it’s like right at the opening, so every time you move, you feel it,” Kate says.

“Fucking ow. That hurts my pussy, and I don’t even have one,” Rhett remarks.

“Kate was miserable when she had it,” Luke says. “I’m sorry, Liv.”

“Yeah, babe. We will come with you,” Kate says.

“Am I still kicked out, or can I ride?” Rhett says with sad puppy dog eyes.

“Come on,” I laugh.

“Just keep it down,” Bodhi says as they get into the truck. They wave off Jett, Tim, and Marcy. I assume I will meet up with them at a later point. I’m just ready to lie in bed and relax.

Chapter Thirteen

Olivia

I am lying on the table with my feet in stirrups and my arm draped over my eyes. I have a blanket completely covering me, though. Kate helped me get settled while Bodhi set up. Rhett and Luke are not in the room to avoid crowding me.

“Alright,” Bodhi says. “You ready, Liv?”

“No,” I whine.

“Look at me, babe,” he says. I move my arm and see that he has a surgical gown on, as well as gloves, a mask, and a face shield. On a silver tray, there is a sterile cloth on top with all the tools and instruments he will need. “You will be numb, I promise.”

“Can I kick you if I feel you slicing up my poor vagina?” I ask.

“Yes,” he laughs.

“Okay,” I say. “Just… do it. Get it over with.”

“Okay. I am going to do the swab first. It will test for a list of STIs, and it will be a general Pap smear. When we are all done, I’ll draw some blood for some other tests. You’ll have to be patient with me on that, because I don’t draw blood often.”

“Okay,” I sigh

“I’m going to have Kate adjust the blanket for me, and then I will start with a gel to numb the skin before the injections.”

“Okay,” I say again.

“Kate, pull the blanket back, but keep her covered down to her hip,” he says. “Once I start, she absolutely cannot move. Talk to her and keep her calm. I will stop if she needs me to, but she can’t move, or I could seriously hurt her.”