“The last time I asked to go back to the doctor, Dad told me that if you found out what was going on, ‘it would sink all of us.’”

At that moment, the door opened.

PART 3

Curtis walked in carrying the expression he used when a mechanic gave him an estimate he didn’t like.

He barely looked at Sadie before his eyes settled on the doctor.

“What exactly have you told my daughter?” he demanded.

Dr. Raman stood.

“I’m Dr. Raman. We’re evaluating a potentially urgent abdominal condition. I need to discuss her medical history with her.”

“I’m her father. You discuss it with me.”

“She’s fifteen,” Dr. Raman said.

“She can answer questions about what she’s experienced. You can help us, but you cannot answer for her.”

Curtis turned to me.

“Paula, I said to wait.”