Chapter 18

Milton grinned evilly. He nodded his head but his cackle slipped out. “My brother-in-law is a good guy. He never drinks more than one beer. The only girlfriend he has had is a girl he met in his first year of college.”
Pandora motioned him to go on.
“It took him two years before he asked her out officially and then another year before he lost his virginity to her.” Milton rolled his eyes like it was a bad thing. Pandora slapped his arm, giving him a displeased look. “Anyway, they stayed dating for four years and she dumped him because he didn’t ask her to marry him. He didn’t even ask to move in with her. Three years pass and she returns triumphant. She has slept with half the city and is ecstatic that my brother-in-law remained single. He was doing well in life by this point. He didn’t hear anything we had to say and started dating her again. Four more years pass and she demands him to propose. He says he is not sure and she starts making trouble right before the second sister’s wedding. She said that the wedding was supposed to be hers or something. So, on the day of the wedding, she has sex with the groom’s friend and makes sure my brother-in-law gets wind of it.” He sighed and shook his head.
“So, to have him meet and marry someone so quickly, shocked us. What makes things worse is that he has been begging us not to tell his parents. He’s almost thirty-four!”
“Come on, this isn’t funny,” Pandora demanded. Actually, she felt sad for the brother-in-law.
“It is to me. He gave me such a hard time for marrying his sister in Vegas.” Again, he chuckled.
“You’re crazy,” she commented.
“He should have just come along with us like planned, but NO! That place was too loud. But now he has to run around to get an annulment. I always remind him that is equal to a divorce.” Milton wiped the tears his laughing had caused. “Thank you for feeding me. I will get back to you as soon as possible about the security system. It should take two or three days to be set up.”
After saying their goodbyes, Pandora shut the door and thanked god. “At least I didn’t get married.” She leaned against the front door and chuckled.
She walked into the kitchen and felt her stomach churn. She barely had time to cover her mouth and run for the bathroom, where she brought everything up.
“I wasn’t laughing at him!” she groaned, rubbing her stomach. She hated that it came at such a time. It felt like punishment from the almighty. It’s not like they were in too different of a position. Only that, Pandora would see the proof of it throughout her life.
The night dragged on with her being unable to stomach even a drop of water. She finally called Dr. Parks’ office and got an appointment immediately. She stepped into the can, her dizziness taking over. When she arrived, the waiting room was packed with many parents-to-be. She sat down at the only available seat and closed her eyes, feeling the world spin around her.
“Mrs. Leonard,” she was called. Pandora jumped awake and stood up slowly. She started to walk but felt herself wobble.
“I don’t feel so…” her voice trailed off as her eyes rolled back and she collapsed to the floor.
“Pandora?” she heard a smooth voice whisper close to her ear. “Come on, Pandora. Open your eyes,” Dr. Parks whispered.
Her eyes fluttered open to see his face close to hers. She looked around and saw that she was already in the exam room.
“You fainted,” he informed gently.
“Sorry,” she mumbled in embarrassment.
Dr. Parks frowned. “You’re apologizing for fainting?” he chuckled.
“I guess I am.” She made an attempt to sit up but another wave of sickness rolled over her. “I’m going to be sick,” she said, covering her mouth.
“Here.” Dr. Parks handed her a disposable basin. He helped her sit up and she brought up more putrid tasting stuff.
“There is nothing in my stomach, Why am I still sick?” she sobbed out, frustrated and afraid of the soreness in her stomach, chest, and throat.
“It’s bile. You’re probably suffering from dehydration.”
She closed her eyes again, breathing deeply as she willed the sick feeling to evaporate.
“I think it would be best if you got admitted to the hospital.”
She looked at him and recognized the worry on his face.
“Okay,” she agreed. With sickness and tiredness mixed in, she really needed some help before she fully collapsed. “I should warn you, I am a terribly cranky patient.”
Dr. Parks chuckled. “I am a terrible patient as well. Did you drive here?”
“No, I felt too tired and didn’t want to risk getting sick while I was driving.”
He offered her a sympathetic smile. “Do you want me to call your husband?”
Pandora protested immediately. “I will do it,” she blurted out, making him blink in surprise.
“I will leave you to that. I will make the arrangements at the hospital. Here is your purse. Let’s sit you down in te chair. It has arms to help you stay stable.”
No sooner had he left than she picked up her phone to leave a message for Keira. Someone picked up the phone, but it was Keira’s administrative assistant. She politely asked if Keira was around but found that she was not in office because of some work. The message would be passed along but it left Pandora to wonder whom she should call in this case. All her friends and family were out of town.
“Did you get a hold of your husband?” Dr. Parks asked as he walked back into the room.
“He is in a meeting. I’ll just get a taxi over to the hospital.”
Dr. Parks pressed his lips together. She knew that he was angry about something she had just said.
“I will drive you,” he said quickly and Pandora’s eyes widened as did his own.