"Mom, are you sure you don't want Julia and I to pick up the bird? I know I am the one who took it in and I need to be taking care of it."

"Actually the singing from your room is very soothing, I love having him here. How about you and Julia, how was your first night living together?"

"Amazing! Julia's mom came by this morning and sends her love to you. She mentioned being so sorry she left with Julia from the daycare so abruptly. I think she thought a goodbye would be overly upsetting for her. She sends her love and thanks for taking such good care of her baby."

"What a sweet woman. I should have coffee with her sometime."

"I think she'd like that."

Julia walks in and waves at Eric and says hello to her Miss Kay T. "Oh, hi, Sweet Julia, can she hear me? Are you on speaker? Anyway, just to remind you. You have another appointment with Dr. Sharma tomorrow at 4."

"Ma, again? Why can't that woman just leave me alone? The pills are working fine. Her nurse makes me strip naked under the gown every single time and it is absolutely unnecessary."

"Eric, she just wants to make sure everything will continue to be effective in the near future. She has your best interest at heart. Anyway, I have to leave in a minute, I am going to pick up your father and we are going to have dinner. Send Julia all my love. Have a wonderful evening and night. Love you both!"

Julia plops herself on the couch and playfully slaps Eric's thigh, "We have an awkward and humiliating day ahead of us tomorrow, Bud!"

"What do you mean?"

"Butt naked in hospital gowns. You and me. We have a date."

Eric chuckles, then gets serious, "So, is it your gynecologist appointment? Are you sure you really want to go through with it?"

"Very sure! I like the idea of being an independent woman who isn't worried about pregnancy or consequences of free sex. Makes me feel like a grownup! Eric...it's going to really hurt when they put the IUD in me, are you still up to you know...hold my hand if it hurts?"

"Julia, I would be grateful to go anywhere with you. If you invited me to an event where I had to drag my balls across poison oak I would show up a half hour early."

"Hmmm, good to know. Am I too invited to YOUR embarrassing doctor visit?"

"I....I don't know, I'm kinda feeling a little embarrassed. Dr. Sharma reminds of your mom a little bit, it might trigger some traumatic memories from this morning. I would hate to live through that kind of embarrassment with you again. Are you sure you could handle it?"

"Very sure, oh, and thanks for reminding me!" Julia reaches in her purse and hands Eric a rectangular box with a bow on it. "It's from my mom!"

Eric opens the box and it plainly says on it digital ear thermometer, "What the hell is this?"

"My mom was talking to me and she believes you are a big boy and you are ready for it."

"Jesus, Julia, you can't just change it all at once like that. Like those wet willies you give me, I am uncomfortable when you put things in my ear. You need to slowly transition me to make sure I am ready. Look, maybe you can use it to double check until I am mature enough not to pull it out."