“Is that unusual for you to go that long between bowel movements?”
She covered her face with her hands and wished she could melt into the floor. Or just poof into the air and leave the cute little exam gown she’d been dressed in empty on the padded table.
“Yes.”
“How often do you usually go?”
“Every day,” she said into her hands, hoping Mr. Fox couldn’t hear this whole discussion about poop but knowing he could. Ugh, gross.
“Oh, no wonder your tummy hurts, poor thing.”
Dr. Eric patted her stomach and turned to Mr. Fox. “I’m guessing it’s just some constipation that’s been bothering her. You said she’s been stressed at school which could be contributing. Plus being busy sometimes means we don’t drink as much water or eat as healthy as we should.”
Twyla sat up and swung her legs off the table.
“Great, thanks. I’ll be better at drinking water and I’ll eat better. I guess we can go home now,” she said hopefully, making to slide off the table. But Mr. Fox held up a finger and tilted his head in that way that meantDon’t you dare, little girl.
She froze and huffed a sigh. Really? There didn’t seem to be any reason for this to last any longer. She was just—ew, gross—constipated. That happened to everyone.
“What’s your recommended course of treatment, Doctor?”
“Twyla is right about drinking more water and eating a healthier diet especially more foods with fiber. But for immediate relief, I think we should administer an enema.”
“An enema? What? No way.” She shook her head. No way was she going to let anyone do that to her. She’d be fine.
“Didn’t you promise to be a good, obedient girl for Dr. Eric?” Mr. Fox asked.
Her stomach sunk. “Yes, Daddy.”
“Do you think arguing about this qualifies as being good and obedient?”
Mr. Fox stood and strode over to the exam table, resting his hands on her knees and looked down at her. That stern expression made her feel so very small, and squishy in a way. She so desperately wanted to be good for him, make him smile, pet her hair and comfort her.
“No, Daddy.”
“Do you think that’s polite after Dr. Eric was kind enough to put off ending his work day just for you?”
“No, Daddy.”
Twyla didn’t like the way her chest was feeling all tight and her sinuses tingled. She didn’t like the way her throat felt like it was swollen and shrinking, or how there were tears brimming in her eyes.
“Dr. Eric and I only want what’s best for you. Our jobs are to keep you healthy and happy. Do you think we can do that if you’re a stubborn girl who thinks she knows better than two grown-ups?”
A tear rolled down her cheek and she sniffed as she shook her head. “No, Daddy.”
“There’s no need to cry, little girl,” Mr. Fox said as he wiped the tear away with his thumb. “But you do need to let Dr. Eric perform this procedure and I think you owe him an apology.”
Twyla swallowed and her shoulders shook as she sniffed again, tried to keep from crying. She felt so awful. How was it possible to go from being the baddest girl in school to feeling this twisted up and awful when she wasn’t perfect? She hated disappointing her daddy, so much. At the same time she felt terrible, she also felt more loved and cared for than she ever had and she wouldn’t go back to her old life for anything.
Then Dr. Eric was handing her a tissue, a compassionate smile on his face.
She used the tissue and then sat up straight and looked Dr. Eric in his kind eyes. “I’m sorry I was disobedient, and I appreciate you staying at work late to see me. I promise to have better manners in the future.”
Mr. Fox gave her a nod that released some of that icky, tight feeling, and Dr. Eric patted her shoulder.
“I know it sounds kind of scary but I promise to take good care of you, and your daddy will be here the whole time. He wouldn’t let anything bad happen to you, right?”
Twyla shook her head solemnly. No, he wouldn’t.
“Okay. Then let’s get started and we’ll have your tummy feeling better in no time.”