Page 231 of The Baby Twist

“Marley, it’s Margo from Dr. Gregario’s office. Our records indicate that you never showed up for your appointment last month. We were reaching out to see if you wanted to schedule something.

“What do you mean? I have an appointment next week for my Depo shot. I have it on my calendar.”

“No. That appointment was last month, and you didn’t show.”

“I’m sorry, but you’re mistaken. It’s next week.”

“Perhaps you accidentally put it in the wrong month. I’ve done that myself. Let me see what we have available next week. We had a cancellation for next Tuesday at noon. May I put you in?”

“Yeah. I guess. Thanks for calling, Margo. I’ll be there.”

“Girl, you’re turning fifty shades of green. What happened?” Olivia asked.

I scrolled back through my calendar until I reached the last time I had the shot.

“Fuck! I fucked up.” I stared at my friends.

“Fucked up, how?” Penelope asked.

“I put my Depo shot appointment in the wrong month. I totally missed it last month. Oh my God! I missed a full month of birth control!” I panicked.

“Relax,” Olivia said. “You haven’t had unprotected sex or sex at all since Charlie. You specifically said you were back on your sex hiatus.”

“Yeah, Mar. You’re fine.” Penelope smiled.

“I know I am. It’s just how could I have been so stupid?”

“It happens to the best of us. Forget about it. You’ll go next week, get your shot, and be back in the land of the protected,” Olivia said.

Chapter Twelve

ONE WEEK LATER

Marley

“Marley?” The nurse called my name as I sat in the waiting room.

Grabbing my purse, I stood from my chair and followed her into a room.

“I see you missed your Depo shot last month,” she said.

“Yeah. I put my appointment in the wrong month on my phone. I don’t understand why someone didn’t call me to confirm my appointment. Your office always calls.”

“A new receptionist started last month and obviously didn’t confirm all the appointments. You’re not the only one who didn’t get a confirmation call.”

“Your periods have ceased since being on the shots, correct?”

“Yes. I haven’t had one since I started them.”

“Okay. Dr. Gregario will be in shortly.” She smiled.

I sat on the table, swinging my legs back and forth and looking at the pictures on the wall of the growing stages of a baby.

“Marley.” Dr. Gregario grinned, stepping inside. “How are you?”

“I’m good, Dr. Gregario.” I smiled.

“Let’s see.” He sat on the stool and typed away at the computer sitting on the counter. “Oh boy. You missed your Depo shot last month. Have you been sexually active?”