Aftercare Instructions
Page 20
Jim Moore, you get your own line because you are my sweetheart, and I love you. You make my life better every day just holding my hand.
Thank you to Planned Parenthood, where I’ve been receiving safe and affordable care since I was sixteen years old. Thank you for EVERYTHING you provide to the community without judgment. I stand with you, always.
Thank you to Barbara Seuling, may you rest in peace. I would not have found my way to VCFA and my tribe without your gentle guidance.
And my family. The blood family. The Pipkin Pirates. My leetle brother, Steven, who I swear can read my mind and knows me better than anyone. My super siblings, Jeff Grillo and Koko Pipkin: two halves who make up a whole lot more than that. Jill Pipkin: always interested and always encouraging. Aunt Penny and Uncle Loren, for just being the best. And my parents. I already dedicated this book to them, but I want to give them more thank-yous, more everything. Thank you, Jesse and Peggy Pipkin. I really do owe it all to you, even if you’d tell me I did it myself.
To Grandma Alice and Aunt Pat. Wish you were both here to see this. Miss you and love you both.
Finally, to my readers. All of you. Thank you for picking up this book of mine in a world full of a million distractions. Thank you for loving it, or thank you for hating it. I appreciate the time you spent with my words. This book is for you.
Recommend Aftercare Instructions for your next book club!
Reading Group Guide available at:
www.readinggroupgold.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bonnie Pipkin believes in prose, performances, puppet shows, and public displays of affection. Originally from California, Bonnie now lives in Brooklyn. She has an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts, teaches literature courses at Kean University, officiates weddings, and looks after a very cute cat. After Instructions is Bonnie’s first novel.
Learn more about Bonnie at: www.AftercareInstructionsBook.com, You can sign up for email updates here.
or find her on Twitter at @bonnie_pipkin
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CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Preparation
Choices
Schedule Follow-Up
Monitor Bleeding
Recovery Times May Vary
You May Experience Cramping
Avoid Strenuous Activity
You May Experience a Wide Range of Emotions
Talk to Someone if You Experience Feelings of Detachment
Avoid Aspirin, Alcohol, Marijuana
Do Not Hesitate to Call with Any Questions
Continue Your Normal Routine when Ready
You Are Not Alone
If Your Temperature Reaches 100.4°, Call Us Immediately
A Period of Emotional Paralysis Can Occur
Allow Some Extra Time at Home to Rest
Are You Experiencing Any Regret?
Support Groups Are Available
Results
Carry On with Regular Activities When Ready
Do Not Insert Anything
No Swimming
Read Through All Aftercare Instructions Carefully
Epilogue: Follow-up Appointment
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS. Copyright © 2017 by Bonnie Pipkin. All rights reserved. For information, address Flatiron Books, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
www.flatironbooks.com
Cover design by Philip Pascuzzo
The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.
ISBN 978-1-250-11484-6 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-250-11483-9 (e-book)
e-ISBN 9781250114839
Our e-books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, extension 5442, or by e-mail at MacmillanSpecialMarkets@macmillan.com.
First Edition: June 2017