CHAPTER 83

Celina

The doctor steps over. “Hi, Kiley, you may call me Carlo. My job is to make sure you don’t have any owies. If you do, then I’m the one who makes them better. Did you choose a name for your doll? She sure is pretty.”

He talks to her the entire time. Kiley remains quiet and observant. She moves when he asks and never sheds a tear. He listens to the doll’s chest and then to hers. Dr. Santos obviously knows children, because I never would have thought of this. First he examines something on the doll and then her. He explains it all in terms a three year old should understand. I have no idea if she does because her expression never changes. He moves with slow, gentle precision and does nothing to startle her.

I’m so relieved when he’s finished and wraps the blanket around her. He turns to me. “I’ll write two prescriptions. She’s dehydrated and the small blisters on her wrists are scabies. I also think she has a urinary tract infection, but I won’t know for sure without a urine sampl