Chapter 5 - THE SECOND EXAMWe took Lily to a pediatric emergency department.
Megan did not come inside.
Correct choice.
She was my friend, not the treating physician.
Emma stayed with Megan.
That was another good decision.
Lily and I went alone.
I told registration:
“I am her maternal aunt. Her mother knows she is with me. There may have been an injury involving her stepfather, and her mother is asking me not to seek care.”
That sentence created paperwork quickly.
Sarah had legal custody.
I did not have medical decision authority except emergency circumstances.
The hospital contacted her.
Sarah initially refused consent.
Then reconsidered after staff explained they would involve appropriate authorities if necessary to determine emergency treatment.
She consented by phone.
A physician named Dr. Rachel Moore examined Lily.
The dressing was removed carefully.
Underneath was a shallow laceration near the top of the shoulder.
About two centimeters.
Already closed with medical adhesive from urgent care.
Mild bruising around it.
No infection.
No deep injury.
No fracture suspected.
Medically, reassuring.
Then Dr. Moore saw something on Lily’s upper arm.
Two faint oval bruises.
Finger-sized.
She asked me to step back.
A child-life specialist joined.
No interrogation.
Dr. Moore asked Lily:
“Can you tell me how your shoulder got hurt?”
Lily looked at me.
I said:
“You can tell the truth. You’re not in trouble.”
She looked down.
“Grant grabbed me.”
“What happened after that?”
“I tried to go.”
“And?”
“He pushed me back.”
My breathing stopped.
Lily continued:
“The hook got me.”
Dr. Moore did not react emotionally.
“Did Grant mean for the hook to hurt you?”
Lily shook her head.
“No.”
Important.
“Did he mean to push you?”
Lily nodded.
“Yes.”
“What happened before he grabbed you?”
“I wouldn’t sit.”
“Where?”
“The chair.”
“What chair?”
Lily’s mouth closed.
May you like
Then:
“The quiet chair.”
Related Stories
