Page 54 of The Long Way Home

She looked at me for a long moment.

“Please?” I sighed, and I think my eyes must have looked some kind of desperate.

She nodded once and led me to a little side room.

“Wait here.” She closed the door behind her.

About an hour later, a doctor walked in. She was young, pretty, with long blonde hair tied back in a ponytail.

“Hello.” She smiled, folding her hands over her chest.

“Hi,” I said to her, sitting on my hands nervously.

She read the room, read my face I suppose, and sat down next to me on the bed.

“I’m Sarah, I’m a third year resident here. What’s your name?”

“Magnolia Parks.”

“Okay, Magnolia. How can I help you today?”

“I need a pregnancy test.” The words tumbled out of my mouth.

“Okay.” She nodded and stood up to fetch one.

“But not a stupid bathroom one—” I called after her. “They don’t work, I need a blood one.”

“Have you taken some of the bathroom ones at home?” she asked gently.

I nodded. “Twelve of them.”

Her face pulled.

“Magnolia,” she said after clearing her throat, “how old are you?”

“Sixteen.”

“Are you here by yourself?”

I nodded.

“Where are your parents?”

“Um—” I shrugged. “Singapore, I think?”

“Does anyone know you’re here?”

“No!” I shook my head quickly. “I told my nanny I was staying at my boyfriend’s.”

“Is he here?” She glanced back at the door.

I shook my head. “No.”

“Is there a reason you’re by yourself?” she asked, leaning in.

“I don’t want to tell him til I know, and I won’t know til I have a blood test—” I shook my head. “I can’t tell him without knowing for sure. He has a big game this week.”

“I don’t think you should do this on your own,” she told me gently.