The Nature of Things

Chapter 15

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Two days later Brian burst into the Taylor house with Jennifer trailing behind him. Both had smiles so big that Molly was beginning to worry that Brian had seduced her mother.

"What's with all this happiness?"

"Pack your bags, kid, we're moving."

"I appreciate your offer, Brian, but I can't go back to the loft."

"And you can't stay here and have to walk down that street everyday. So pack your bags."

"I'm not going back to the loft."

"Honey, Brian's not talking about the loft. He bought a house today."

"But, Mom, this is my home."

"Not for long. I have a buyer coming by tomorrow morning to sign the papers. I'm selling the house."

"Where will you go? You love it here."

"Honey, I loved it here because we were safe after your father left. But ever since your attack I've been wanting to sell and find somewhere not so big. You'll be leaving for NYU in the fall, and I'll be all alone. What do I need a big house for?"

"So where will you go? Have you found an apartment?"

"Sort of."

"Mom."

"Your mother is going to be staying in my guest house for a few months until she finds a place she likes."

"You have a guest house?"

"Yes, and four bedrooms. There is plenty of room for you and Gus."

"Gus will be there too?"

"Don't get too excited, he'll only be there on the weekends. It's not like I'm going to be a full time father."

"But at least you're going to be his father." Molly kissed his cheek and was almost up the stairs when she turned back and asked, "What about Justin?"

"Honey, I don't think it's fair to ask Brian to let Justin move in too. They aren't together anymore."

"I'm well aware of that mom, but they still love each other."

"Molly, if your brother wants to move back, he's welcome to a room. But, I don't see that happening anytime soon."

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Emmett poured a cup of tea for Justin and slid a plate of scones across the table.

"So have you found a place?"

"No. I just can't find something I like."

"Honey, Teddy's getting anxious about you leaving. He's not used to having someone here all the time. Maybe I can come with you when you look at apartments."

"Yeah, I guess. My mom said she found a cute little one bedroom that she thinks would be perfect for me."

"Great, what time should I meet you?"

"Two. Listen Em, I need to talk to you about something. I haven't had a chance with everything that happened with Molly."

"What is it, honey?"

"I keep having these memories. Of Casey."

"What about that little asshole?"

"I think he did some things to me. I think he drugged me."

"It would explain a lot.

"Yeah, but I'm not sure about all the details. It's just this feeling I have."

"Honey, I'd like to help you, but maybe you should see a shrink."

"I thought about that. I've made an appointment for next week."

"Good. Now, let's talk about something more fun. MEN!"

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Brian was just pulling up to the new house with Molly when her cell rang.

"Hello."

"Molly? It's Dr. James. Can you come by the office today? I have some results that I'd like to go over with you."

"Sure, I can be there in about an hour."

"That'd be great. And Molly, you may want to bring your mom or someone with you so that you have someone who can explain things to you later."

"Thanks. I'll see you then."

Molly closed her phone and opened the car door without a word. Brian watched her and worriedly he looked at her phone to see who had called. Seeing it was the doctor's office, he decided now would be a good time to interfere.

"Molly, who was that?"

"Don't pull the dumb act with me. I know you checked my phone and I know that you know that Dr. James called. She has some test results and wants me to stop by and go over them."

"I'll call Cynthia and we'll meet her there."

"And who says I want any of you to go with me?"

"You don't have a choice." Grabbing her hand he opened the front door and pulled her inside. "Now come on, let's see our new house."

An hour later they met Cynthia in the lobby of the clinic and the three of them tried to stay calm while waiting for the doctor. Ten minutes later they were called back. Brian held Molly's hand, trying his best to remain calm until he knew all the details but fear kept creeping up into his throat making it next to impossible to concentrate.

"Molly, Mr. Kinney, nice to see you." Dr. James turned to Cynthia and smiled, offering her hand she introduced herself and then slid into the leather chair behind her desk and opened Molly's file. "Molly, we've got the results back from your bloodwork and there are some things we need to discuss. First let me start by telling you that your HIV test came back negative. As I told you earlier, I want to retest again in three months."

She waited for the sighs of relief to subside before continuing. "However, it's not all good news. You're pregnancy test came back positive. I want to do another just to be sure, but as of right now it looks as though you have some decisions to make regarding this pregnancy. The tests for Chlamydia, Herpes, HPV and Syphilis came back negative."

Brian was the first to speak. "How long does she have to decide?"

"Well, I want to do a physical exam again, but according to the information that Molly gave us and at the hospital, I'm estimating that she is only two to three weeks pregnant. So that gives her some time, but not a lot. I can recommend the names of some therapists to help her deal with this, but ultimately it is Molly's decision what she wants to do about the pregnancy."

"Molly, honey, I think you should see the doctor she recommends. Also you should talk about this in group. The girls there can be a big support system to you, since a few of them know what you're going through. And of course I am here if you need me."

"Thanks. So Dr. James, is there anything else you need to tell me?"

"Well I would like to do the exam now if you feel up to it."

"What's the rush?" Brian asked.

"There was an abnormality with Molly's pap smear and there is a chance that she may have HPV."

"What the hell is HPV?"

"The Human Papilloma Virus is a sexualy transmitted disease that can show up as genital or anal warts, but more times than not it is a silent disease that most people don't even know they have. It can lead to precancerous cells and it can be passed on to an infant during birth. I want to do a biopsy of some of the abnormal cells and look at them under the microscope to get an idea of what we are dealing with. It could be just a glitch in the test or it could be something serious."

"How do you treat this thing? And will it affect the baby?" Molly wouldn't look at anyone but the doctor.

"Well there really is no treatment for it other than removing the warts. There are a few meds that can be taken, but they are thought to harm a fetus, so we would just have to wait to see what your decision is before we decide if treatment is an option. Most times it goes away on it's own after a bit, but it does lie dormant for some time, so you would need to inform anyone you are sexually active with that you have the disease."

"Let's do the exam, then." Turning to Cynthia she asked, "will you stay with me?"

"Of course I will."

"I'll wait out in the lobby. I'll call your mom and tell her what's going on. Do you want me to tell her the results of the pregnancy test?"

"NO, not yet. I just want some time to deal with it before anyone else knows."

"Whatever you say, kiddo."

"Thanks, Brian. I love you."

"Right back at ya, kid." Brian pressed a kiss to her forehead and headed out for a smoke while the doctor led Molly and Cynthia back to an exam room. Once outside he pulled out his phone and dialed Justin, not knowing what he would say, or even if he could say anything. All he knew was that at that moment he had to hear his voice in order to keep his head above water.

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