Authors: Shawna Platt
When Kinsey arrived at the clinic she went straight to the reception desk and demanded to talk to Dr. Westcott. The woman at the desk looked concerned.
“Are you all right? Is this an emergency?”
“Yes, it’s an emergency. I need to talk to her right away.”
The woman sighed. “What in the world is going on today?” She rose from her chair. “Just a moment, I’ll see if she’s available.”
She disappeared down the hall. When she returned she informed Kinsey Dr. Westcott would be able to see her after she finished with her current patient.
Kinsey paced the waiting area for ten minutes before Dr. Westcott came out. She had a concerned look on her face.
“Kinsey, what’s wrong?”
“I need to talk to you about Tessa.”
“I’m sorry, Kinsey, I can’t discuss Tessa’s care with you.”
Kinsey began to raise her voice and the other individuals in the area looked her way. “I know Tessa is here and I want answers.” She paused and gave Dr. Westcott a knowing, hard stare. “I know more than you think.”
Dr. Westcott looked around the room and acknowledged the curious stares coming from the waiting area. She spoke quietly. “All right, Kinsey. Come with me.”
When they arrived in Dr. Westcott’s office, she closed the door and addressed Kinsey.
“I’m not at liberty to discuss Tessa’s care with you, but what do you think you know?”
“I know she was brought in this morning by security and that she’s having a miscarriage.”
Dr. Westcott motioned to a chair and asked Kinsey to sit. When Kinsey refused, Dr. Westcott leaned against her desk and sighed.
“Yes, Kinsey, Tessa was brought in this morning and she’s having some complications. Dr. Hartman was called in and was here caring for Tessa before I could get here.”
“Who is Dr. Hartman?”
“Dr. Hartman is a specialist who is only called in when the circumstance is severe. I’m no longer caring for Tessa.” When she saw tears welling in Kinsey’s eyes, she reached out and took her hand. “She’s in good hands with Dr. Hartman. He’s one of the best.”
Kinsey shook her head and laughed. “Yeah, I’m sure he is.”
“Kinsey, sometimes these things happen. There’s nothing we can do. From what I’ve been told, Tessa hasn’t been feeling well.”
“Can I see her?”
“No, I’m sorry, Kinsey, you won’t be allowed in to see her, but let me go check on how she’s doing and I’ll come back and let you know.”
Kinsey turned away and stared at the wall. “Thank you.”
When Dr. Westcott returned, Kinsey could tell by the look on her face the news wasn’t good.
“I’m sorry, Kinsey, Tessa lost the baby and is currently resting. Once she has medical clearance, she’ll be released from the program and sent home.”
Kinsey felt her knees buckle and she reached for a chair that was close by. Dr. Westcott helped her sit down. She looked up at the doctor.
“How did she suddenly miscarry? According to Tessa, her pregnancy was progressing fine.”
Dr. Westcott shook her head. “I don’t know, Kinsey. Like I said, sometimes these things just happen. A nurse said she saw Tessa yesterday and she looked like she wasn’t feeling well.” She pulled up a chair and sat in front of Kinsey. “I’m sorry. This type of thing doesn’t happen here very often.”
Kinsey felt her anger building and she lashed out. “You truly don’t know, do you?”
Dr. Westcott looked confused. “Don’t know what? Miscarriages happen, Kinsey. Dr. Hartman said he did everything he could for Tessa and her baby.”
Kinsey shook her head and made solid eye contact with Dr. Westcott. “Yeah, I bet he did.” She allowed a moment of awkward silence. “Why was she brought in by security?”
Dr. Westcott shrugged her shoulders. “I truly don’t know. I heard she collapsed and they were the ones who brought her in.”
“I want to see her before she’s sent home.”
“I’ll see what I can do. Why don’t you go back to your room and I’ll talk to Dr. Hartman again. If he gives his approval for Tessa to have visitors, I’ll let you know and you can come see her before she leaves.”
Kinsey stood and started walking toward the door. “Thank you. I’ll wait to hear from you.”
I won’t hold my breath.
Kinsey went back to her room and paced. When she was tired of pacing, she walked out on her patio and sat at the table. She watched some of the women in the program enjoying the park and swimming pool. She wondered how many of them were here against their will. How many had been bullied into the program with threats against their families? She knew some were here only because of the financial compensation and could care less about the child they were currently carrying.
She shook her head and tears found their way into her eyes again. All she could think about was Tessa, alone and scared. Once again, she cursed the program and all who were involved. How could they possibly live with themselves?
She looked out at the women again and felt sympathy for them. She made another vow to somehow make those responsible pay. She didn’t know how, but something had to be done.
When Kinsey hadn’t heard back from Dr. Westcott by that evening, she called the clinic. She was told the doctor was with a patient, but she’d leave a message to have her call back. Kinsey asked if Dr. Rayner was available and was told he’d already left for the day. She didn’t ask for Dr. Hartman. She already knew what side of the fence he was on.
She paced her room again, waiting for Dr. Westcott to call back. When her phone rang she about jumped out of her skin.
“Yes, hello!”
“Hello, Kinsey. I’m sorry I didn’t get back to you earlier, it’s been a crazy day.”
“Can I see Tessa?”
“Dr. Hartman said she’s sleeping and is not to be disturbed tonight. Her family has been contacted and they’re flying out in the morning to come and take Tessa home.”
Damn it!
“Can I see her in the morning before she leaves?”
“It’s possible, but I can’t make any promises, Kinsey. I’ll talk to Dr. Hartman in the morning and if you’re allowed to see her, I’ll call you and let you know.”
Kinsey shook her head in disdain. “Yeah, you’ll let me know.” She hung up before Dr. Westcott could respond.
Kinsey woke bright and early the next morning. She wasn’t waiting for any more phone calls. She was going to camp out at the clinic until they allowed her to see Tessa.
She marched into the reception area and told the woman behind the counter she was not leaving until someone allowed her to see her friend. Kinsey pointed to a chair by the window.
“You see that chair? That’s where I’m going to be and I’m not leaving until I get what I want.”
She turned and walked to the chair. After she sat down she added, loudly, “Don’t make me have to sit here and yell. For every minute that passes, I will make my presence known.”
Kinsey sat back and looked at her watch. “The clock’s ticking!”
She watched one of the women behind the counter rush down the hall. She returned with a male doctor she didn’t recognize. The woman pointed to Kinsey and the doctor nodded. He made his way to Kinsey and held out his hand.
“Hello, my name is Dr. Hartman. I understand you want to see Tessa.”
Kinsey dismissed his hand and stood. “Yes, I’m Kinsey Garrick and I understand she’s leaving the program this morning. I’d like to talk to her before she goes home.”
He studied her for a moment. “Wait here.” He walked away.
He returned a moment later. “I talked to Tessa and she agreed to see you. Your visit will have to be short; she needs to rest before her plane ride home.”
Kinsey met his gaze and nodded. “I understand.”
“Good, follow me.”
Kinsey followed him down the hall and into a treatment room. She saw Tessa sitting in a chair in the corner and rushed to her, throwing her arms around her.
“My god, Tessa! Are you all right?”
Tessa looked over at Dr. Hartman, who was standing by the door. Kinsey turned to see what had her attention and she addressed the doctor.
“Do you think I could have a minute alone with my friend?”
He stood for a moment and replied, “Sure.” Before he left, he made eye contact with Tessa and she quickly looked away.
After he closed the door, Kinsey took Tessa’s face in her hands. “Oh, Tessa! I’m so sorry!”
Tessa couldn’t find her voice, so she simply shook her head as she lowered it.
Kinsey whispered, “There has to be something you can do.”
Tessa shook her head again and looked at Kinsey. “There’s nothing anyone can do.” She looked toward the closed door and lowered her voice even more. “I’ve already been threatened that if I talk, harm will come to someone I care about.”
“This is wrong! It has to be stopped!”
Tessa started to show some anger. “It can’t be stopped, Kinsey. You need to open your eyes to the program. It is what it is and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.” She lowered her face in her hands and spoke through angry sobs. “I’m going home to live my life again. I have to make this place a memory, a bad memory, but a memory, none-the-less. I won’t let this destroy me.”
Kinsey pulled up a chair and sat beside her. “I don’t think the other doctors here know what happened to you.”
Tessa shook her head. “No, I don’t think they do. Both Dr. Westcott and Dr. Rayner came in to apologize and thank me for being a part of the program. Dr. Hartman assured me I’ll still be receiving my compensation.” She laughed through her sobs. “Can you believe that? They’re paying me off and I’m not allowed to speak of this place ever again.”
Kinsey looked down and noticed Tessa’s baby bump wasn’t as prominent. She closed her eyes and sighed. “The other doctors must not know you tried to escape.”
“I don’t get that impression. Dr. Hartman does, but security is tight lipped and is only shared on a ‘need-to-know’ basis.”
“Most here are truly clueless.”
There was a sudden knock on the door and it opened before either of them could respond. Dr. Hartman entered the room and leaned against the counter.
Kinsey reached up and grabbed a business card off the counter and wrote her cell number on the back of it. She handed it to Tessa. “You’ve become a good friend and I want to stay in touch.”
Tessa nodded and asked her for one as well. She wrote her number on the back and gave it to Kinsey.
Dr. Hartman pushed off the counter. “Okay, ladies, it’s time to say goodbye.”
Tessa tried to stand, but Kinsey made her sit back down. She gave her a hug and told her to let her know when she made it home safely. Tessa told her she would and that her parents were coming, so she wouldn’t be traveling alone.
Kinsey turned and walked out of the treatment room, never making eye contact with Dr. Hartman. Tessa leaned her head against the back of the chair once Kinsey was out of sight and closed her eyes. She heard Dr. Hartman’s voice.
“Your parents will be here soon. Remember your responsibility to the program.”
She simply nodded and quietly said, “I just want to go home.”
He smiled, walked out, and closed the door behind him as Tessa’s tears rolled down her cheeks.
Chapter Seventeen
Kinsey spent the rest of the week in a daze. She couldn’t wrap her head around what happened to Tessa and she missed her friend dearly. Without having Tessa in the program with her she felt alone and scared. Being isolated from her family and friends was almost too much. She had to constantly remind herself why she was doing this. Tessa was a perfect example of how things could go terribly wrong in Operation Vala.
Dr. Westcott was certain Tessa had suffered a miscarriage. The same story came from Dr. Rayner. They truly had no idea what was taking place in the program and she had no idea how to convince them otherwise.
Kinsey tried to call Tessa a few times since she returned home, but Tessa’s end of the conversation was always short and clipped. Kinsey could tell she wasn’t able to talk about what happened. Those in a position of power had succeeded in threatening her into silence. Even back home, Tessa was afraid of what the long arms of Operation Vala could accomplish, and she wasn’t taking any chances. Kinsey understood and limited her conversations with Tessa to small talk. One day, when Kinsey was released from the program, she hoped they could talk more. She had no intention of never seeing Tessa again.
The only thing Tessa ever said to Kinsey about the program was to keep her head down and do what they asked. Simply do your time, get out, and never look back. Kinsey was having a problem with this advice.
Kinsey took over Tessa’s jobs at the cafeteria and the file room at the clinic. Tessa was right, it helped to stay busy and allow the days to pass.
Kinsey had an appointment the next day to check and see if her procedure was successful. Since she knew they would repeat the procedure three times before releasing her, she found herself hoping she was pregnant. The thought of having to endure the procedure again, and possibly a third time, made her furious. That would be three more months of waiting and she wasn’t happy about it. She just wanted to get it over with.