Chapter 8
Dr. Cole called me privately.
Not with a diagnosis.
With concern.
Lucy had been brought to her office twice in six months by Elaine.
I had not known.
“For what?”
“Stomachaches. Trouble sleeping.”
I went still.
“What did Elaine tell you?”
“That Lucy was dramatic.”
Of course.
“What did Lucy say?”
“Very little.”
Dr. Cole paused.
“Except once she asked whether children can be punished for making adults look bad.”
My chest tightened.
“How did you respond?”
“I told her adults are responsible for their own behavior.”
Good.
“Did Elaine hear?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“She changed pediatricians afterward.”
Silence.
I stared at the phone.
Andrew had brought Lucy back to Dr. Cole today because the new clinic had no urgent opening.
He had accidentally returned to the one doctor Elaine removed for saying something Lucy needed to hear.
I almost laughed at the symmetry.
“What else?”
“Lucy repeatedly looked to Elaine before answering.”
Not proof of abuse alone.
But pattern.
Fear of consequence.
I thanked her and ended the call.
Then I went to Andrew.
“You changed Lucy’s doctor.”
His face went blank.
“Mom handled appointments.”
“You knew?”
He hesitated.
Wrong.
“You knew.”
“I knew she preferred someone else.”
“Why?”
No answer.
I told him.
The question Lucy asked.
The answer Dr. Cole gave.
The switch afterward.
Andrew sat down.
For the first time, genuine horror entered his face.
“My mother never told me that.”
“No.”
I kept my voice cold.
“She didn’t tell you because you were useful ignorant.”
That hurt.
Good.
Elaine needed Andrew resentful, not informed.
If he saw the entire pattern, he might stop helping.
He covered his face.
“I thought she was strict.”
“You thought that because strict let you keep the benefit without examining the cost.”
He looked at me.
May you like
That sentence landed.
It needed to.
