We were hanging on his every word as he proceeded to tell us that I most likely got pregnant on the Wednesday between the Sunday when I was with Seth and the following Sunday when I was with Sam. I shook my head in disbelief. “No, this can’t be right. I didn’t have intercourse on that date. We need to narrow it down more.”

“I’m sorry, Miss Brown. These indicators can only narrow it down to within a few days, plus or minus, of the actual date of conception. It’s just not that exact of a science, I’m afraid. There are too many variables.” My head was spinning. How could this be? I must have looked distraught because he tried to reassure me by saying, “Don’t worry. If you are concerned about who the father is, then we can do a DNA test to determine the paternity.”

Courtney collected herself enough to ask the question that I couldn’t. “Doctor, what if the potential fathers are identical twins?”

Dr. Ross’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, but he quickly recovered. His medical school must have trained him not to outwardly react to finding out that his patient is a brazen hussy. “That does make a difference,” he said grimly. He turned to ask me, “You were intimate with each of these men within a few days of the date I gave you?” I was too humiliated to speak, but managed to nod. “You’re sure they are identical twins and not fraternal twins?” he tried. When I nodded again, he said, “Identical twins have identical DNA. I’m afraid we aren’t going to be able to say with certainty who is the father of this baby.”

I felt like I was going to pass out. Courtney thanked the doctor, made my next appointment with the receptionist, and shuffled me outside to sit on a bench that looked out over the lake. I don’t know how long we sat there. It must have been a while because Court waved a hand in front of my face, asking if I was in shock.

When I came back to reality, I crumpled into her arms, sobbing. “My baby will never know for sure who its Daddy is,” I wailed.

“It’s okay,” she soothed me, rocking me back and forth. “It’s going to be okay.” She kept repeating the words as if she was reminding herself as much as me. “We’ll figure this out.” She was my rock, holding me in her arms until I ran out of tears. Then we walked home in silence, both of us lost in our own thoughts.

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