False Alarm

“Sorry, so sorry.” I couldn’t stop apologizing for throwing up into the doctor’s waste basket. I grabbed a handful of tissues from his desk to wipe my face.

“It’s quite alright, my dear. I’ll give you a shot for your nausea.” The doctor was sympathetic, unlike James who looked terrified.

“Doctor, what is wrong with my wife?” James clutched the armrest of the chair, looking like a man expecting a death sentence.

“Well, let me put it this way. I have bad news or good news, depending on the way you look at it.” The doctor frowned while scribbling something in my file.

“What?” What kind of answer was that? Was I pregnant or not?

“Doctor Levi, is she pregnant or not?” James leaned forward in his chair while I huddled in mine.

“Like I said, good or bad. Mrs. Barrington is not pregnant.” Dr. Levi looked up from his notes.

“Oh, well that’s a blessing.” James made no effort to hide his relief. “What is it then?”

I had mixed feelings. But James was surely pleased.

“There’s this new bout of flu