Chapter 8 - The Medicine Nobody Questioned|
By morning, Noah had a fever.
Nothing severe, according to the nurse, but enough to make Dominic cancel every meeting on his calendar.
I entered Noah's bedroom carrying a tray of toast and apple slices.
He was sitting against his pillows.
Dr. Kessler stood beside the bed holding a small medicine bottle.
“Open your mouth, Noah.”
The child shook his head.
“Come on.”
Another shake.
Dr. Kessler sighed.
“You know what happens when you refuse your medicine.”
Noah pressed himself against the headboard.
I set the tray down.
“What medicine is that?”
The doctor turned.
“Something prescribed to help manage his symptoms.”
“Does it make him sleepy?”
His expression hardened.
“Why?”
“He's always exhausted after you visit.”
Dr. Kessler smiled without warmth.
“Miss Reed, it's not your place to question my treatment.”
I looked at Noah.
His eyes were locked on the bottle.
Then he whispered:
“Bad dreams.”
My chest tightened.
“Does it give you bad dreams, sweetheart?”
Dr. Kessler stepped between us.
“Enough.”
He reached toward Noah.
The child flinched.
I instinctively stepped closer.
“Please don't force him.”
The doctor's face reddened.
“You are interfering with medical care.”
A deep voice came from the doorway.
“Then explain the care.”
Dominic stood there.
He had heard enough.
Dr. Kessler immediately changed his tone.
“Dominic, your son is refusing treatment again.”
“What is he taking?”
“A medication we've discussed.”
“Name it.”
The doctor hesitated before answering.
Dominic glanced at the bottle.
“Leave it here. And don't administer anything else until I review his treatment plan with an independent physician.”
Dr. Kessler stared at him.
“That would be extremely unwise.”
“Then give me a reason that survives a second opinion.”
Silence.
Finally, the doctor placed the bottle on the dresser.
“As you wish.”
After he left, Dominic sat beside his son.
“Noah.”
The boy looked up.
“Does the medicine make you feel bad?”
A small nod.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
Noah looked toward the door.
“Doctor said Daddy gets mad.”
Dominic went completely still.
“I wouldn't be mad at you.”
Noah whispered:
“He said you'd send me away.”
Dominic pulled his son gently into his arms.
“No.”
His voice broke.
“Never because you're scared.”
I looked away to give them privacy.
Later, an independent pediatric physician named Dr. Maya Bennett reviewed Noah's records.
She carefully explained that some prescribed medications could have legitimate purposes, but the documentation supplied to Dominic was incomplete and the treatment needed a thorough reassessment.
Then she noticed something disturbing.
Several medication administration records had been altered after the fact.
Dominic stared at the report.
“Who changed them?”
“We don't know yet,” Dr. Bennett replied.
“But someone has been documenting care that doesn't match the nursing notes.”
I felt cold all over.
Dr. Bennett looked toward Noah's bedroom.
“Mr. Vale, whatever is causing your son's fear, we need to understand it without assuming he's being deliberately difficult.”
Dominic slowly nodded.
Then his phone rang.
It was Dr. Kessler.
“Dominic,” he said calmly.
“I've arranged a placement for Noah.”
Dominic's face darkened.
“I told you no.”
“I understand.”
May you like
The doctor paused.
“But the transport team is already on its way.”
