Page 89 of Fall Fake-Out

“Everything looks normal. I didn’t see any blood in my examination.”

“That can’t be right. I mean, I have a picture if you want to see it.”

He studies me for a second. “What have you eaten in the last twenty-four hours?”

I frown. “I went to the mayor’s party last night. Had a protein shake for breakfast. And had a salad at the Beet and Barrel cafe with friends earlier today.”

He nods slowly. “Did your salad have beets in it?”

“Yeah.”

A smile grows across his lips. “Beets can cause red discoloration,” he says gently.

I’ve never heard of this before. I’ve never eaten beets before.

I stare at him. “Red discoloration where?”

He doesn’t answer right away, which is answer enough.

“You’re telling me that what happened when I went to the bathroom was because of a vegetable?”

“That’s correct. Everything looks great with you. Your body has a very healthy digestive system.”

The embarrassment and shame I feel are unmatched.

UNMATCHED.

In fact, I’m never telling anyone about this. I will die with this incident locked deep inside my soul. The personal HIPAA of all HIPAAs.

And then I remember Wade waiting for me just thirty feet away, and I want to curl into a ball and never come out of this exam room.

Because he’s going to ask.

And I’m going to have to tell him.

Wade

THERE’S a universal rule that doctors’ offices take forever, but this seems extreme.

I drum my fingers on my knee, debating if I should check in with Pam at the receptionist desk, just to make sure everything’s okay.

Then the door opens, and I immediately sit forward. Ari walks down the hall, and my stomach drops. Her expression is solemn and somber. Not a smile or a look of relief in sight.

I stand before she even reaches me. “What did they say?”

She hesitates.

Not good.

Oh my gosh, it’s not good.

“What did they say?”

“Well...”

“Ari!” I press again, feeling like I’m about to go mad with concern.

“Um.” She tucks her hair behind her ear. “Apparently, it was the beets.”