“I called her because I thought she could help Lisa. I’m so sorry. She’s my mom’s best friend, and I knew she could help.”
I turned on her.
“You what?”
“Please just first hear me out.”
I stared at Sarah and felt sick.
“You do not bring strangers into my home and then ask me to breathe through it.”
Maya wiped her face with both hands.
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“I found research on Lisa’s condition. Conference materials. Mobility work. Sarah’s name was on it, so I reached out because I wanted information.”
I stared at Sarah and felt sick.
“You?”
My body went cold.
She nodded once.
Maya rushed on before I could say more.
“I told her about the fatigue, the pain during transfers, the alignment problems. I said Lisa’s mom was handling everything alone. I said your name.”
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Sarah met my eyes.
That lit the fuse again.
“The second Maya said your name, I knew who you were.”
My body went cold.
“And you came here?”
“I almost did not.”
That lit the fuse again.
“How generous.”
“My back feels better.”
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She took that without flinching.
“I deserved it.”
Lisa tugged my sleeve.
“Mom?”
I forced my voice softer.
“I’m here, baby.”
Against my will, I looked at Sarah.
She touched the side of the frame.
“My back feels better.”
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Everything in the room stopped.
I stared at her.
“What?”
“I do not feel twisty.”
Against my will, I looked at Sarah.
Maya stepped forward, miserable and stubborn at once.
She answered carefully, as if any word would end the conversation for good.
“Her posture has been forcing her body to compensate all day. This redistributes pressure and stabilizes her pelvis. It should reduce fatigue.”
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“You do not get to throw medical words at me and expect trust.”
“I do not expect trust.”
Maya stepped forward, miserable and stubborn at once.
“I was desperate.”
“She has built devices for kids like Lisa.”
I turned on her.
“And you decided that meant you could keep secrets about my daughter?”
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Her face crumpled.
“I was desperate. Sarah explained everything and asked me to keep things quiet.”
“So was I. I still did not invite strangers into my house.”
“Working where?”
Sarah’s jaw tightened, but her tone stayed level.
“I should have refused to come. But Maya described symptoms I recognized immediately. Lisa is the kind of patient I design equipment for.”
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I crossed my arms.
“Working where?”
A beat passed.
“She lost her job after a fight with administration”
“Nowhere official,” Sarah said.
I laughed once.
“That is not comforting.”
Maya looked miserable.
“She lost her job after a fight with administration. Not because a child got hurt.”
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Sarah shot her a look.
“I broke protocol on a pediatric case.”
“I can speak for myself.”
“Then speak,” I said.
She met my eyes.
“I broke protocol on a pediatric case because I believed the standard plan was failing the patient. I was told to stop. I did not. I lost my position, and my reputation went with it.”
Lisa whispered quietly, “Can I please try it now?”
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