Chapter 2 - Emmie did not need surgery
The birthday party ended immediately.
No speeches.
No cake-cutting.
No family photograph beside the pool.
My sister took the guests outside while I drove Emmie to a pediatric dentist.
Her injuries were fortunately limited.
One lost baby tooth.
A small cut inside the lip.
Facial bruising.
No jaw fracture.
No permanent-tooth damage visible on imaging.
No concussion symptoms.
The dentist told her:
“You were already getting close to losing this tooth.”
Emmie looked at me.
“So she didn’t break me?”
“No.”
That sentence hurt.
Children should not need confirmation they remain intact after a family party.
The dentist put the tooth in a tiny container because Emmie wanted it.
She said:
“Tooth fairy still counts?”
“Absolutely.”
“Even assault tooth?”
The dentist looked at me.
I almost laughed.
“Premium rate.”
That finally made Emmie smile.
Then she asked:
“Is Bianca going to jail?”
I did not lie.
“I don’t know.”
“Because you hit her too?”
“Yes.”
She became quiet.
May you like
Good.
She understood the situation more clearly than half my relatives.
