Chapter 3 - THE LEG UNDERNEATHOnce Richard was gone, Tommy’s breathing changed.
Still scared.
Less trapped.
Dr. Grant examined him.
The skin beneath the homemade cast had multiple pressure injuries.
One area near his heel had begun to break down.
There were bruises in several stages of healing.
Could the bruises have come from an accident?
Some.
Could they have come from a poorly applied cast?
Some.
Could anyone stand there and diagnose child abuse from color alone?
No.
That restraint mattered.
We took photographs under medical protocol.
Then X-rays.
The original injury was a healing fracture of the lower tibia.
The bone was still aligned acceptably.
Good.
But there were signs the leg had been subjected to additional stress after the original injury.
Not a second clear fracture.
Soft-tissue swelling.
Tenderness.
Bruising.
We needed context.
Tommy asked:
“Do I get another cast?”
Dr. Grant said:
“Probably something safer.”
He stared.
“Will Dad make it?”
“No.”
That answer left her mouth before she could stop it.
She corrected:
May you like
“Your medical team will take care of it.”
Better.
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