Warrior (Twisted Sister #2) by Lacy LeRoch Page A

thought as I take a close look at her. I feel like I know her somehow, but from where has completely skipped my mind. I try to look away, but something keeps me looking at her. I feel weird, perverted in some way. It’s not right for me to be staring at her this long. The strange feeling that overcame me just minutes ago lifts, and I glance down at the ground as soon as I’m able. But I still have that niggling feeling that burns in the back of my mind.
    “Alison, have we met before?” I blurt out without thinking.
    Shit, don’t break your own rules, Madison.
    Alison looks over at me for a long time before she shakes her head slowly and answers, “I was thinking the same thing, but no, I don’t think I do know you.”
    Hmm… I’m usually really good with faces and I swear I’ve seen hers before. I shake my own head in displeasure and get back to the matter at hand.
    “Alison, if you’ll allow me. I would like to speak to you honestly, and to have everything completely out in the open.”
    Alison looks at me and takes a deep breath, before rubbing her belly and nodding.
    “The truth of the matter is, I can never begin to understand what you are going through. And while you’re only five months along in your pregnancy, these are forms that need to be either filled out now or ripped up and completely forgotten about.”
    Alison looks down at my hands, noticing the folder for the first time. Her face pales and she swallows loudly. “Are… are they the adoption forms?” She swallows again, not once taking her eyes off the manila folder.
    “Yes, they are.”
    I’m not sure what I’m going to do if she breaks down and starts crying, I’ve never been any good with helping anyone with the emotional stuff. There’s a reason I’ve been called cold-hearted and an ice queen by those in the hospital.
    “Is there anyone I can call for you?” I ask quickly, swallowing past the sudden lump in my own throat.
    Alison stares vacantly off into space and shakes her head from side to side.
    “Not even the father?” I push softly.
    I’m walking on a thin line of not only ethical but my own morals. There isn’t anything in her file about next of kin and no mention of the father of the baby.
    “No, the father isn’t someone I can soon contact.” She sighs, wringing her hands together on her lap nervously.
    Does she think that I will judge her? God, I’m heartless, but I would never do that. An emotion close to guilt and shame flashes across her face, before she shuts it down fast and masks it with a blank look of nothingness.
    “I understand,” I tell her thickly.
    Fuck get a grip Madison, this girl’s a patient. Don’t get close...
    Shit, but no matter how many times I find that going over and over in my mind, I can’t turn off my emotions when I’m around her.
    “Listen…” I sigh and glance down at my own lap. I can’t look at her right now or she’ll read my emotions as clear as day. “I cannot help you with any of this, but please know you’re not the only woman who has had to face this decision alone. I, myself, was given up for adoption at birth.”
    Fuck it, I just broke my first rule. Never let anyone know anything about you.
    What the hell am I thinking?
    She’s my patient, but there’s just something about the young girl that makes me want to protect her. That realization hits me like a ton of bricks and I can’t take this anymore. So I place the folder on her lap and without saying another word to her, I turn my back and walk out of the room. I cannot allow myself to get to get close to anyone, ever again. I lower my head and start to make my way to the break room. I just need a few minutes to get myself together before I try and push on with the rest of my shift. Maybe I can speak to one of the other doctors on duty, and get them to write me up a script for some sleeping pills. I could just walk into the pharmacy and take some without anyone knowing, but I won’t lose my job over some