Free The REASON Series - the Complete Collection by Zoey Derrick

for regular ultrasounds. If you can’t make an appointment, you need to call the number on my card. If anything happens and you can't get to me, call that card and I will come to you. Day or night."
    Knowing that this is no doubt Mikah's doing actually pisses me off, and my face starts to turn red.
    She reads my mind. "This is not his doing," she says. "It’s mine, and on my dime. You need someone to help look after you, and there are so many programs out there to help pregnant girls just like you that most people don't know about. So please, if you come across a girl that needs help, send them here and have them ask for me by name. I will help them in any way I can."
    I'm blown away by her generosity. Are there really people that good in the world?  
    And then I think that maybe Mikah, too, was just being generous. Maybe, just maybe, he really was trying to help without further motivation.  
    Tears prick. "Th-thank you," I stutter.  
    "You're most welcome. I mean it — anything, you call. Got it?"
    "Yes, ma'am."  
    "Oh, and one last thing. If you don't call and don't show up to an appointment we have scheduled, I will call him. I have utter faith in his ability to track you down."  
    Oh, no! I'm pretty sure I make a face at her, but I get her point so I nod.  
    "Alright. Try and get some sleep tonight. You're safe here. And if I don't make it in before you're discharged, I will see you in two weeks."
    "I will be here. Or I'll call."
    "Good. See you then." And just like that, she's gone.

TWELVE
    After Dr. Alston leaves, I start to go through the paperwork she left on the tray for me.  
    In the pile are several pamphlets about the various programs for women in my situation and a book, What to Expect When You’re Expecting . There are also a few brochures on support groups for people processing past abuse, which I find strangely comforting. I’ll have to try it out.  
    There is also an envelope that contains two hundred dollars in cash in various denominations. After what she told me earlier, I wouldn't have thought twice about it, except that the food stamp vouchers are in an official-looking envelope, and this isn’t. Is this money out of her own pocket?  
    I'm trying very hard to accept the money without throwing a fit, regardless of its source.
I have enough money in my— "Oh, No!" I exclaim, looking around frantically.  
    "’Oh no’ what?" a female voice says from the door.  
    My head snaps up and I see Nurse Fang from the blood draw earlier.
    "My stuff?"
    "In here," she says, pointing to the closet door. "Did you need something?"
    "My purse, please?"
    "Sure." She opens the door and looks around. I can see my skirt and top hanging on the back of the door. After a moment she bends down and retrieves my purse. The panic I hadn't realized was building in me rushes away in a flash as she hands me my purse.
    "Thanks."  
    "Of course. How are you feeling?"
    "Much better.” I suddenly realize that my bladder’s uncomfortably full. “I need to go to the bathroom, actually."
    "No problem. I'll show you how to unlock the IV pole so it will move with you. Then you can move around freely. After you eat, I want you to take a nice long walk around this wing. If you can handle that okay, I'll remove your IV. Sound like a plan?"
    I nod, and she shows me the button on the IV pole that unlocks the wheels.
    I climb gingerly out of bed, testing my feet to make sure I'm stable before I take a step.
Upon entering the bathroom I'm grateful to see that the mirror isn’t staring me in the face. I'm not sure I want to know what kind of messy state I'm in.  
    After only about a minute and a half, Amanda knocks. "You okay?"
    I roll my eyes. "Yep."
    When I come back out — still avoiding the mirror because I'm sure I'm hollowed out again — I climb back into bed and tell Amanda, "I'm ready to eat." It's been more than twenty-four hours since I ate last.
    "I thought so. I ordered some soup, crackers and fresh fruit for you.