Chapter 5 - The pediatric evaluation
Cade was physically okay.
That mattered.
Lenora pushed him into shallow surf.
The wave knocked him to his hands and knees.
He swallowed a small amount of seawater.
Coughed.
No aspiration symptoms afterward.
No head strike.
No neck injury.
No cut.
His pediatrician examined him because he complained of wrist soreness.
Minor sprain.
No fracture.
Then Dr. Laura Chen asked:
“Was his life vest intentionally removed?”
“Yes.”
“Did the adult know he is fearful around water?”
“Yes.”
“Was this part of an agreed exposure plan?”
“No.”
She documented it.
Then Cade asked:
“Did I fail?”
My chest tightened.
“What?”
“I still got scared.”
Dr. Chen turned toward him.
“Being scared is not failing.”
Cade looked at me.
“Daddy wanted me not scared.”
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Pierce was standing by the window.
He closed his eyes.
