PART I

Eighteen year old Gracie Williams had just finished another tedious day at her high school. Although she hadn’t decided on a major, she was ready to move onto college and get away from her overprotective parents. The petite 5’3 blonde was captain of her cheer squad, a distinction that made her the queen bee of her senior class. Many of the boys lined up to ask her to homecoming, but she was not interested. She envisioned herself getting married someday, but the thought of even going to a dance with a boy revolted her. These thoughts mirrored what her parents had drilled into her since she’d been a little girl: That boys were bad news. Savannah Williams, her mother, was especially worried about her teenage daughter getting caught in the wrong crowd.

One fall day, just before Halloween, Savannah picked Gracie up from school. “Why in the world is she here?” Gracie thought. “She knows how embarrassed I get when she has to take me home.” As soon as she stepped into the Suburban, she could tell something felt off. “Hey sweetie, how was your day?” “Just the usual crap,” she mumbled. “By the way, why did you pick me up? You know that Gabby always drops me off. I could’ve let her know if you turned the parental lock of my phone”

“Don’t worry hon, I took the liberty of calling Gabby’s mother to tell her that I would be picking you up today. I’m sure she’ll let Gabby know.” Savannah took a deep breath. “I’ve dreaded having this conversation with you for a long time, but since you’re going off to college next year I feel like this is the time.”

Gracie had already begun to nervously sink into the car seat. She rarely had conversations like this with her mom, and they usually ended with her full of embarrassment. Savannah continued on; “Even though that’s really hard for me to accept, you’re becoming a young woman. You know how I’ve always worried about your development. How you’ve never grown out of that A cup bra. How you’ve never been able to insert a tampon into your –” “MOM!!” exclaimed Gracie, getting that all too familiar feeling in her stomach. “We’ve talked about this before. I’m perfectly fine with using pads.” We can discuss this at dinner with your father tonight, but I think you need to get a physical exam before you go off to school.

“You know I just had my sports physical for cheerleading a few months ago right?” Savannah pulled into the family’s driveway and turned off the ignition. “Gracie sweetie, those sports physicals barely qualify as a medical exam in my opinion. This would be an exam that would focus on your development, and if you're the perfectly healthy girl that you should be at your age.

“Doctor Daniels says I’m perfectly healthy for my age mom.” Savannah laughed, “Honey, first of all, she’s your pediatrician. Secondly, she’s just doing a quick overlook to make sure you’re healthy enough to cheer.” For this other exam, you would have to go to another doctor.” Before Gracie could continue asking questions, Savannah had opened the driver’s side door and was walking inside.

“I’m so confused,” thought Gracie. “Why would I have to go to another doctor when Doctor Daniels could just sign off saying I’m physically ready for college?” She trudged through the front door, her mind still reeling about what her mother had said.

Trying to take her mind off of the subject, she walked up to her room and began to work on some of her homework. After what seemed like ten minutes, Gracie heard her mom yell; “Grace, it’s time for dinner!” She finished the problem she was working on and walked downstairs quickly. She knew better to keep her parents waiting. As she turned the corner, her mother was taking the chicken out of the oven and her father was walking in the front door.

Andrew Williams, Gracie’s dad, is president of one of the largest oil refineries in the country, and although he and Savannah were quite wealthy, they did their best to donate both their time and money towards charity. With Gracie being an only child, there was only so much money that the family of three needed.

“Hi dad!” said Gracie excitedly. Her father was constantly traveling for his job and she didn’t get to see him as often as she’d like. “How are you doing pumpkin? It’s been a little bit since I’ve seen you. Did you ace that math test you’d been studying for?” “Of course dad,” Gracie beamed. “I got the highest score in the class!” “I knew you would kiddo!” exclaimed Andrew. “Keep at it and you’ll outrank me in ten years!” Gracie wanted to continue the conversation, but Savannah cut them off. “Get over here you two! Dinner is getting cold!”

As they sat down at the table, Andrew had more questions. “So, did anything interesting happen while I was out of town? I saw the football team suffered their first defeat of the season. What a shame it happened this late in the season.” “It definitely stunk, but I’m just glad they made the playoffs so I have the opportunity to cheer one more time!” While Gracie and Andrew continued to chat about what her senior season of cheerleading had been like, Savannah had placed the family’s meal down on the table. It was Gracie’s favorite! Chicken noodle casserole with mashed potatoes and gravy! “That looks awesome mom!” Gracie squealed, “I’m definitely having seconds tonight!”

Once they dug in, there was silence for several minutes. Finally, Savannah said; “Andrew, I picked Grace up at school today. Her best friend Gabby usually takes her home, but I wanted to have a personal conversation with her. We talked about how she’s getting to an age where she may need more than a regular sports physical.” Gracie had put her fork down to protest, but her father had beaten her to it. “I’d have to agree with your mother darling. You’re going off to study in the city next year. I’m surprised you haven’t gone before now. I bet most of your friends have already had this exam.”

At this point she was even more confused. Didn’t her parents understand that she felt fine? Her mother again invaded her thoughts. “With your father in agreement, I’m going to go ahead and schedule you an appointment as soon as possible honey.” Gracie was practically in tears. “Why do I need this exam? You guys won’t tell me anything. I feel like I’m perfectly healthy for college.” Savannah spoke softly and calmly; “You might be right, but it’s never a bad idea to make sure right? The doctor will tell you why you need this exam. He’ll explain it in better terms than I can. In the meantime, why don’t you finish your homework. It’s getting late.”

This day couldn’t have gone worse. Not only did she not know what this exam would entail, she was going to have to go to another doctor. She quickly finished her homework and hopped in the shower. “Phew,” she thought to herself, “I’m so glad tomorrow is Friday. This week has gone on forever!” After telling her parents goodnight, Gracie climbed into bed. She hoped tomorrow would be better!

TO BE CONTINUED