Baggage & Buttons (43 page)

‘Promise you won’t shout at me first,’ I asked.

‘Mia where did you go?’ he asked firmly, using his
stern face.

‘I’m not telling you if you’re going to get all shouty
with me.’

‘
Mia
. Where did you go?’ he said forcefully,
with a creased brow.

‘A strip club called Peppers,’ I sighed, preparing
myself for him to blow.

‘What?’ He looked completely astonished and I started giggling,
he’d so not been expecting that answer.

‘Did she just say she went to Peppers?’ I heard Doug
ask.

‘Mia what the hell?’ Gabe really didn’t look happy, so
I pulled at face at him.

‘I just wanted to see what all the fuss was about
Gabe, I’ve never seen anyone strip or pole dance before. Have you been there?
You and Doug?’

‘Yes, we’ve been a couple of times in the past.’ The
frown still hadn’t left his face.

‘I still go without you dude.’

I saw Gabe turn his head. ‘Doug this is a private
conversation.’

‘Then take it in the bathroom. You have it here and
I’m joining in.’

I saw the screen moving and flashes of seriously
unattractive floral green carpet, then brown vinyl, before Gabe’s face reappeared.

‘Right I’m in the bathroom. What the hell’s going on?
Why are you going to strip clubs the minute I’m out of town?’

‘I organised it before I knew you were going to be
away Gabe. I wanted to learn a few moves for you.’

‘You already have all the moves baby and I’m really not
happy about this,’ he said with a heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair.
‘How would you feel if I told you that Doug and I’d just been to a strip club
and taken Julie with us?’

‘That’s totally different Gabe and you know it.
Firstly I went to strip club with
women
strippers, not men. Secondly I
didn’t go with an ex, I went with two friends.’

‘With Milo,’ he hissed, with an angry scowl.

‘Who’s a friend Gabe, that’s all.’

‘We’ll agree to disagree on that Mia, I don’t want you
going out with him again when I’m away.’

‘O Gabe
relax
, he’s a friend that’s all, I’m
with you for god’s sake,’ I said with a roll of my eyes.

‘Yes you are with me Mia and I’m
not
happy
about this. Even setting aside the whole Milo situation, those places are
usually full of horny guys who are likely to take advantage of a young girl
sitting there.’

‘No one took advantage Gabe and it’s no different to
me being out in a normal club, or even sitting in a lecture hall. I’m
surrounded by horny guys all the time and I do nothing about it.’ I saw his
face soften, he’d actually reacted better than I thought.

‘You look so sexy with your hair all messed up and
that low cut top baby.’

‘I did that for you. You could’ve told me you were
sharing a room with Doug.’

‘I didn’t think, besides I’d never have imagined you’d
come on talking all dirty like that. So what did you think of Peppers then?’

‘It needs doing up, making a bit more classy, but the
dancing was very sexy, I’m not going to turn lesbian any time soon, but I was
pretty turned on. I really enjoyed the pole dancing, but the lap dance was even
better. I’d like to have paid for the one that you have in a private room
though to see if it was any more risqué.’

‘Jesus Mia, how much have you spent?’

‘A fair bit, but it was worth it.’

‘Talk to me in future please. I’d have taken you if
you’d wanted to go. From now on you ask
me
if there’s anything you ever
want to experience.’

‘Then we’ll go together some time Gabe. So do you
think we can have phone sex now you’re alone in the bathroom?’

‘Baby it’s late and I’ve a competition in the morning
and stiff as I am right now looking at you, I’m in a cheap hotel bathroom with
someone else’s pubes in the tub. I knew I should’ve paid for Doug and I to stay
in our own rooms at the bloody Hilton,’ he sighed.

‘I wish you had too. My period’s virtually finished
Gabe, so we can make up for it this weekend with loads of sex and I could bring
that black vibrator you wanted to try out on me.’

‘Mia, baby, please stop, it’s too much. Pack it all
and don’t worry about clothes, other than your school girl outfit, I plan on
having you naked all weekend.’

‘I like the sound of that,’ I said biting my lip and
smiling.

‘Now go, it’s late and you’ve got your appointment in
the morning. Fuck, I’m so stiff I’m not going to be able to sleep now,’ he
grumbled.

‘Sorry Gabe.’

‘Don’t be, I love that you wanted to do this Mia, it’s
just shit timing. Please just talk to me in future for
anything
you want
to try.’

‘I will. Good luck tomorrow, I’ll be thinking of you.’

‘Thanks, you too, don’t forget to call me and let me
know how you got on. Love you baby.’ He kissed the screen which made me smile.

‘Love you too Gabe,’ I kissed it back and he smiled
and switched off. I sighed and got up and went to the kitchen and stuck my Chinese
in the microwave.

‘If you think you’re coming in the lounge like that, to
practice your lap dance moves on me, you can sod off,’ said Lexi as she came
into the kitchen.

‘Shit sorry, forget I’d taken my jeans off,’ I said as
I looked down to see my bare legs. ‘You’ve seen me with less on, stop whinging.’

‘That was a quick bit of phone sex.’

‘It never happened, he’s sharing a bloody room with
Doug, who really enjoyed my opener.’

‘This is getting to be a habit, you really need to
check it’s Gabe and that he’s alone before you come on all seductress.’

‘I know. Anyway, who are you to talk about quick sex,
you’ve not run through those batteries already?’

‘Not yet, just needed a breather, good batteries make
all the difference,’ she grinned. ‘Why did I not discover vibrators earlier?
Great for when you’re in a lull. Anyway orgasms make me hungry and after that
session I’m
really
hungry.’

I chuckled and turned to look through the microwave
window. ‘God this is taking forever and I’m really hungry even without any
orgasms.’

‘So what’s up with the dancing audition?’

‘I know, can you believe it? She offered me free
lessons to learn a routine to perform for her boss as a try out.’

‘You’re not thinking about it are you? Gabe would go
mental.’

‘I don’t know Lex, I think it would be kind of fun to try
learning a routine, I’ve never done pole dancing. I’m not sure I could do an
actual audition at the end, but what have I got to lose?’

‘Seriously thin ice Mia,’ she sighed shaking her head.
‘Will you hurry up with that microwave.’

‘Why don’t you go and have a cigarette while it
finishes? I can put your popcorn in for you.’

‘Don’t fancy one.’

‘Have you still not smoked since … you know?’ I asked,
looking at her in amazement.

‘Since you went all guilt trip on me?’ she replied,
flashing me with a look. ‘No.’

‘Aren’t you finding it hard?’

‘I was, but not so much now.’

‘Not now you have another object to occupy your hands,’
I giggled. ‘Maybe some good will come out of it and you can quit smoking for
good and you’ll have more spare money. You’ll need it for all the batteries and
cleaning wipes.’

‘O sod off with the teasing, just because you have
Gabe and his cock of plenty and Hogwarts magic fingers and tongue. Hurry up
with the damn microwave, I need popcorn,
now.
’

‘Thank god,’ I sighed as the microwave pinged. ‘Right,
see you in there. Shall I get Suits ready to watch?’

‘Of course, it’s Thursday night.’

I woke up with a groan as the alarm clock went off at
7.30. We’d not gone to bed until 2 a.m.in the end. I headed for the bathroom
and did a little celebratory fist pump in the air to see I was no longer on,
thank god it had been shorter than normal. I started running the bath as I made
two coffees.

‘Up and at them Lex, I’m having a bath and I’ll book a
taxi to take us to the hospital,’ I said as I deposited a coffee on her bedside
table.

‘Ok,’ she groaned. Lexi really didn’t do mornings and
I wondered how many hours sleep she’d actually had with her new toy and some
proper strength batteries, especially as her hair was all sticking up and
matted at the back. I chuckled and headed to the bathroom.

I knotted my hair up and soaked in the bath for a
while, then got dressed in a white t-shirt and put on a black blazer, my skinny
jeans and pulled my high heeled shoe boots on. I wanted to look reasonably
smart, as it was a private hospital, so I put on a bit of eye makeup before
grabbing my phone off the dock and saw a message from Gabe.

If I lose today you’re in for some severe punishment.
I had my first wet dream since I was thirteen last night! Text or call me later
with your update, I’m not racing until midday now. G xx

Hmmm a teenage boy’s fantasy am I? I like that! Good
luck xx

I rang for a taxi and headed into Lexi’s room.

‘Shit, I need to get changed if you’re going looking
like that,’ she said, as she stood in her ripped jeans, favourite boots, a
white t-shirt and leather biker jacket.

‘Lexi you look fine, I just felt like I needed to make
a bit of effort as I’m the patient. Ten minutes for the taxi. Are you sure you
don’t mind coming?’

‘You came to my appointment, the least I can do is
come to strip clubs and hospital appointments with you.’

‘I wondered if I’d be able to get you out of the
bedroom now you have your new boyfriend to play with.’

‘Orgie the orgasmator? I’ve a feeling it will be my
longest relationship yet,’ she grinned. ‘He gives me multiple orgasms without
needing a break in between and doesn’t snore or fart in bed.’

‘And would never break up with you or two time you
either.’

‘Or pee in the bedroom.’

‘What? Who did that?’ I groaned, screwing up my face
in disgust.

‘One guy I was with was so pissed, he lifted up the
laundry bin lid and pissed in it thinking he was in the bathroom and it was the
toilet.’

‘O gross Lexi. That wasn’t here was it? I do all your
bloody washing.’

‘No,’ she laughed. ‘It was in his house thank god. As
was the one who farted in his sleep and followed through. Christ I beat a hasty
retreat from that house I can tell you.’

‘You sure pick some classy guys Lex,’ I sighed with a
shake of my head.

We made it to the hospital early and I had to elbow
Lexi in the ribs, as she swore loudly when she saw how fancy the reception area
was. We were both given a cup of coffee, in a proper cup and saucer, which I
sipped at while I completed a detailed medical questionnaire and I could feel
my stomach churning.

‘Lexi, I’m feeling nervous.’

‘I know, but it’s like me yesterday, the sooner you
know what you’re facing and your options are, the sooner you can deal with it
and I promise you’ll feel so much better.’ She stroked my back as I tried to
calm myself with deep breaths. I checked my phone to see another message from
Gabe.

I struck lucky, not only are you my fantasy, but
you’re my reality baby. Good luck too. Wish I was there with you, ring me as
soon as you’re out please xx

I heard my name being called and looked up to see a
lady in her fifties, who had her dark blonde hair pulled back into a very neat
bun. I stood up as she came over and introduced herself as Dr Wells and shook
my hand.

‘This is my friend Lexi. I hope she can come in with
me?’

‘Of course.’ Dr Wells turned to smile at Lexi and
shook her hand too. She led us down a maze of corridors to a private clean and cosy
room and asked us to take a seat. We ran through my medical history and I was
asked to explain my period and pelvic pain and Lexi interrupted to say it was a
lot worse than I was making out, Dr Wells just smiled.

‘I know your doctor’s done a pelvic exam Mia, but I’d
like to do one too.’

She called a nurse in as I got ready and I tensed up
knowing what was coming. When she pressed on my side, in the same place my doctor
had, I yelped again. There was yet more lubricant for the internal exam, which
made me scream this time, Dr Wells certainly wasn’t shy in pressing hard. I was
left to clean myself up and re-emerged from the curtain to see Lexi looking
upset.

‘I’m fine Lex, honestly it’s ok,’ I said, trying to
sound as reassuring as I could, given I was terrified and now bloody sore. I sat
down and zipped up my boots.

‘Mia, I’d like to send you down for a scan of your
pelvis. It won’t take long and should be painless. By the time you come back
I’ll have the results and we can talk further. Lexi can accompany you and wait
while you have it done.’

The nurse took us down to the x-ray department and Lexi
took a seat in the waiting area as I got changed and taken through to lie down
for the scan. A cold gel was applied to my stomach and as the technician
started moving the tracker across me, I wondered if this was what they did with
Lexi yesterday, to confirm her pregnancy. I winced as he pressed hard on my
stomach and he apologised and gave me a sympathetic smile. After I cleaned up
and dressed again, we were taken back to Dr Well’s room and she gave me a
gentle smile as I sat down.

‘Ok Mia. I’m afraid you doctor was right, you’ve some
very large cysts in both of your ovaries. In addition your ovaries and fallopian
tubes aren’t located where they should be in your pelvis, which strongly
indicates that scar tissue or adhesions have formed and have pulled them out of
alignment, anchoring them to your pelvic side wall. This is a classic symptom
of endometriosis, however I’ll not be able to diagnose this formally without first
having performing a laparoscopy.’

She turned her computer screen towards us and showed
us the fuzzy black and white diagram and pointed out where the cysts were, but
it looked like one of those magic pictures to me, the ones everyone went
“Ahhhh” at when they’d stared at it for long enough and I always wondered what
they were seeing, as nothing ever emerged from the picture for me. Dr Wells told
me these issues were probably causing my normal back and stomach pains. She
also explained that the cysts could rupture and leak fluid internally, which
she said could be extremely painful. Well at least it explained what had
happened to me on Saturday morning, when I’d had that awful attack.

We discussed how endometriosis could affect me, how
she’d perform a laparoscopy, what she’d do, how long I’d need to stay in
hospital for and what the recovery period would be. Dr Wells asked if I’d any
questions and I shook my head slightly dazed. I heard Lexi shuffle her chair
closer to me and clasp my hand.

‘I know it’s a lot of information Mia, but the sooner
I can look inside your pelvis, the sooner I can make a formal diagnosis. I can
try and remove the cysts and as many adhesions as possible then come up with a
treatment plan to help you. I’d like to schedule you in for the surgery as soon
as possible, so I’ll go and see what openings we have.’

She left the room and I just looked at Lexi stunned.
Surgery? That was so not what I’d been expecting from today’s appointment.

‘Mia, it’ll be fine, like she said once she’s in there
she can help and you’ll know what you’re dealing with,’ she gave me a
reassuring smile and I nodded and we sat silently, Lexi’s thumb rubbing over
the back of my hand, until Dr Wells returned.

‘Ok, we can have you in on Monday at 10 a.m. You’ll
have an overnight stay at minimum, assuming no complications.’

‘
This
Monday?’ I exclaimed shocked.

‘Yes.’

‘God, it’s just so quick, I wasn’t expecting an
operation let alone …
this Monday?
’I asked again, not convinced I’d
heard her right. Dr Wells just smiled and nodded her head and I looked at Lexi
who just gave me an equally sympathetic smile. ‘Will I be able to attend Uni
after?’

‘I’d recommend a week off any activities other than
gentle walks, but I can advise further afterwards, dependant on how much work
I’ve had to do.’

‘Could you see me Tuesday instead? That will give me
today and Monday to talk to my lecturers and get sorted,’ I asked, my mind
racing as to what I’d need to do to get organised. Dr Wells looked at a sheet
of paper on her clipboard.

‘Yes, I have an opening at 9 a.m. on Tuesday. Shall I
confirm this?’

‘Ermmm yes … I guess so,’ I sighed. If the damage to
my insides was this bad I really did need sorting, but to have an operation on
Tuesday? I hadn’t even had time to get my head around possibly having a
condition, let alone dealing with the ramifications of having it confirmed, surgery
and the impact of that on my studies, or even on my relationship with Gabe. O god
Gabe, how was he going to handle this?

‘Ok, we’ll get you to a private room to run through
some additional medical questions and blood tests etc., then the bookings
office who will sort out the paperwork and finances and I’ll see you on Tuesday,
you’ll need to be here by eight a.m. If you’ve any questions before, please
contact me.’ She gave me her card and shook our hands again and Lexi was asked
to take a seat in reception while I went for a pre-op assessment.

I collected Lexi before going to the bookings office,
where I filled in a mountain of paperwork and signed consent forms in a daze. I
gave her as my next of kin for the emergency contact. I’d decided I didn’t want
mum to know anything until I had a formal diagnosis and treatment plan. She’d just
worry herself sick with the thought I was ill, let alone that I’d be going
under the knife.

‘I see we have a card already registered for you, a Mr
Gabriel Austin?’

‘Yes … yes sorry,’ I said with a shaky smile, pulling
myself out of my thoughts. ‘That’s my boyfriend’s card. He’s offered to pay for
my treatment. How much will it be please?’

‘Including today’s consultation … scan …. and assuming
a one night stay …’ she tapped with the end of her pen on her calculator before
looking up at me. ‘You’re looking in the region of £4,000.00.’

‘Fucking hell,’ muttered Lexi, as I sat open mouthed
and felt even sicker. Today was really not going the way I’d played it out in
my mind. I’d figured it would probably cost a couple of hundred pounds for the
consultation and a simple scan and, given how many arguments Gabe and I had already
had this week, I’d just agreed for him to pay to avoid another fight. I’d
planned to pay him back next week once it was done and dusted, but I only had
about £1,200 left in my savings, having spent a couple of thousand on
furnishing the apartment. How the hell was I going to get another £3,000
together by Tuesday?

‘Can I help you with anything else?’ the accounts lady
asked, bringing me around again.

‘Sorry no, that’s all.’ I gave her another attempt at
a smile as I stood and Lexi grabbed my hand and walked me back to reception,
sat me down and went to get me a coffee, while I rang and booked a taxi to take
us home.

 ‘Four bloody thousand?’ she said as she sat next to
me and handed over the drink.

‘I know Lex, I nearly died. Gabe’s not going to have
that sort of money just lying around. I thought I’d just have a scan and be put
on some pills, not surgery. How am I going to come up with that amount of money
by Tuesday?’

‘Could you get a loan?’

‘I don’t know, I’m not working am I? I’d have no
income to fund it.’

‘You have your allowances and the equity in the apartment.’

‘Well yes, but I’m sure the bank would want a guarantor
in either case. No way I’m contacting my dad to ask for help, not when I just
had to jump through hoops of fire to get a bloody lunch date with him. Plus I
don’t want mum to know about the operation, she’d freak out.’

‘Could Georgie help?’

‘I doubt it Lex,’ I sighed. ‘As a nurse she doesn’t
earn loads of money herself, besides we’re not exactly the closest of sisters
are we? I’ve never even talked to her about my period pains.’

‘God Mia, I wish I could help. You do so much for me.’

‘I know you would if you could Lex,’ I said, flashing
her a grateful smile. ‘It looks like I’m going to have to get a student loan
after all. I just really wanted to avoid that. What if they can’t get me the
money in time though?’

‘Credit card?’

‘I don’t have one, though I’m starting to think I need
to for unexpected things like this. I’ll look online when we get home and see
if I can find one that will let me have an instant decision and hopefully no
interest charges for a while.’

‘Are you going to call Gabe to tell him?’

‘About the operation or the cost?’ I asked, thinking
how much he would freak at either scenario.