Chapter 6 - THE MEDICAL REVIEW
Dr. Lee encouraged me to file a formal patient-safety account of the delay.
Not against Nathan as a criminal complaint.
As documentation.
“There’s a difference between bad family behavior and prosecutable conduct,” Rachel reminded me.
Important.
I did not need exaggerated charges.
The recording showed neglect and cruelty.
Family court could consider it.
Custody evaluations could consider it.
But the legal system would decide what category it belonged in.
I submitted the evidence.
Then stopped trying to turn every hurt into a lawsuit.
That was difficult for a lawyer.
Meanwhile, Samuel came home after seventeen days.
Tiny.
Healthy enough.
We established a feeding schedule.
Monitoring.
Follow-up appointments.
Nathan attended several.
Always on time.
Never alone at first.
Not because I thought he would hurt Samuel.
Because trust had been damaged.
He accepted that.
Patricia did not.
“You’re treating my son like a criminal.”
“No.”
“Then why supervised visits?”
“Because he ignored a medical emergency involving me and our unborn child.”
“He made one mistake.”
“One mistake can change safety decisions.”
She cried.
“What do I have to do to see my grandson?”
Finally.
A useful question.
“Respect the rules.”
“What rules?”
“No criticizing me around the children.”
“I would never.”
“You already do.”
Silence.
“No using Nathan to bypass me.”
“No surprise visits.”
“No comments about pregnancy, motherhood, or work.”
“This is ridiculous.”
“Then don't visit.”
More silence.
Eventually:
“Fine.”
Not enthusiastic.
May you like
Still a start.
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