She asked permission to speak privately with us for a moment.

She explained that Tessa had a chemical injury, that they had irrigated the affected areas and examined her eyes, and that they would reassess healing over the following days.

She cautioned us not to guess at the long-term outcome yet.

Then she gently asked whether Tessa wanted to tell her anything about the present.

Tessa shook her head.

“That’s okay,” Dr.

Patel said.