The nurse asked several questions.
Naomi answered carefully.
She wasn't experiencing a severe headache, visual disturbances, or other symptoms the nurse considered especially concerning at that moment.
But the clinic wanted her to attend her scheduled evaluation that afternoon and contact them promptly if anything changed.
Naomi agreed.
Then she checked her medication supply.
Her prescription refill was ready at the pharmacy near the clinic.
She decided to collect it before the appointment.
Amanda had already offered to drive her.
The champion was in Richmond for a fashion campaign and had a few hours free before an evening appearance.
She promised to pick Naomi up outside the pharmacy at 12:30.
Naomi laughed.
"You're going to show up dressed like you're walking a runway."
Amanda grinned.
"I might."
"Please don't make a scene."
"Me? Never."
Naomi rolled her eyes.
Then they laughed.
It was the last completely carefree conversation Naomi would have that day.
The pharmacy stood in a suburban shopping center beside a small grocery store and a coffee shop.
The building had broad glass windows, pale exterior walls, and a parking lot shared by several businesses.
A black-and-white police cruiser was parked near the entrance when Naomi arrived.
She noticed it.
But thought nothing of it.
Police officers often stopped at pharmacies, grocery stores, and restaurants during their shifts.
She parked in an accessible space she was authorized to use under her temporary parking permit and carefully climbed out of the car.
Her mustard-yellow maternity dress moved gently around her legs.
She adjusted the strap of her handbag and walked toward the entrance.
Inside, the pharmacy was busy.
A mother stood near the counter with two small children.
An older man was reading the instructions on a medication package.
And a delivery worker carried several sealed boxes toward the rear storage area.
Naomi approached the prescription counter.
The pharmacist was a Korean American woman in her late thirties named Dr. Mara Kim.
She had worked at the location for nearly eight years and recognized many regular customers.
When she saw Naomi, she smiled.
"Good afternoon. How are you feeling?"
Naomi sighed.
"Like I'm carrying a basketball that keeps kicking me."
Mara laughed softly.
"That sounds about right."
She verified Naomi's identity through the normal pharmacy process, retrieved the refill, and reviewed the relevant instructions.
Naomi listened.
She asked whether anything had changed.