She rolled her eyes. “Oh, you know. The usual. Two women with STIs who didn’t understand how they could have caught them as they’re in long-term relationships. It’s always such a blast telling them their boyfriends are cheating and not using condoms.”

It hurt every time she reminded me of this daily occurrence. “So a quiet day then?”

“Yeah. But at least the new nurse means I’m not working back-to-back shifts anymore, so that’s something. How’s your coil? Strings where they need to be?”

I smiled and nodded. It had taken most of our friendship to let Heather see my vagina, and I was mad at myself for not making full use of this gynecological resource.

“It’s all tucked in comfortably,” I said. “Ready for its bedtime story.”