Read Online Deadly Shamrocks: An Irish Tale of Love, Murder and Revenge by J. B. Reed - Free Book Online Page A

he must face the consequences. And, more importantly, how is he going to tell Vivie that her father is dead because of his actions?
    Setting in the clinic, waiting her turn to see the doctor, Vivie looked around the waiting room. The room was crowded with the economically disadvantaged. Even though this was a more affluent part of the city, they still had their share of the poor among them. Women, with small children waited, holding their children on their laps, to free up a seat for someone else. Older gentlemen, some who reminded Vivie of her own father, who could barely hold their head up, waited patiently for their name to be called. One woman, sitting directly across the room from Vivie was holding a newborn baby. Visions of herself ran through Vivie’s mind.
    “Sweet Mother Mary, what will I do, if I am carrying Tommy’s child?”
    “Sarah O’Connor.”
    For a moment, Vivie had forgotten she had registered using a false name.
    “Yes, here I am.”
    “Come this way, Miss O’Connor.” The nurse held the door open and directed Vivie to have a seat in the second room to her left.
    “What are you here for today, Miss O’Connor?”
    “Well, I’m not sure, really. You see, I haven’t been feeling very well for the past few days. I’m thinking I may have the flu.”
    “I see. Have you been running a fever, vomiting, diarrhea?”
    “No fever, but I have been vomiting. No diarrhea.”
    “When was your last period, Miss O’Connor?”
    “The second week of September.”
    “That was two months ago. You haven’t had a period for two months?”
    “No, but that’s nothing unusual. My periods have never been regular, you see.”
    “Is there any possibility that you could be pregnant, Miss O’Connor?”
    Vivie dropped her head in shame.
    “Yes, there is a possibility.”
    “Alright then. The doctor will be in to see you in a few minutes. Let’s have you put this gown on. He may want to give you an exam. After you‘ve changed, please have a seat up here, on the table.”
    The nurse handed her a cloth gown, and patted her on the shoulder, smiling at her sympathetically. Vivie quickly changed into the gown and sat down on the cold steel table. It was only a few minutes before the doctor came into the examining room, but to Vivie it seemed like hours.
    “Good morning, Miss O’Connor. I’m Dr. Cohen.” The doctor offered his hand to shake hands with Vivie. “I hear you haven’t been feeling well the past few days?”
    “Yes, that’s true.”
    “Vomiting?”
    “Yes.”
    “But no fever or diarrhea?”
    “Yes, that’s right.”
    “Well, let’s take a look, okay?”
    The doctor stood up to examine Vivie, listening to her heart, lungs, asking her to open her mouth so he could look at her throat.
    “Miss O’Connor, I don’t believe you have the flu. You seem to be perfectly healthy. The notes say there is a possibility that you could be pregnant, is that correct?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “I’m going to perform a quick exam on you, and we’ll be able to find out, if, in fact, you are pregnant. How would that be?”
    “That would be alright, I guess.”
    “Have you ever had a female exam, Miss O’Connor?”
    “No, sir, I have not.”
    “It may be a little embarrassing for you, so I’m going to call my nurse in here to be with us during the exam. Would that be alright with you?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    Dr. Cohen called in the nurse and then explained to Vivie the nature of the exam he was about to perform. The nurse helped Vivie lay back on the table and placed her feet in the stirrups. The nurse then covered her with a sheet. As Dr. Cohen began the examination, Vivie felt as though she wanted to pull the sheet over her head. In a matter of a few moments, the examination was over and the nurse told Vivie she could get dressed.
    “Dr. Cohen will be back in to talk to you in a few minutes, dear.”
    Vivie dressed as rapidly as she had undressed, and sat nervously on the edge of the chair, waiting for the