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We follow the doctor into a conference room; the three of us sitting across the table from Dr. Basset. “Mr. Whitmore, you contacted me because your daughter has suffered a complex fracture along the growth plate of her femur.”
“My daughter. Mr. Whitmore is her stepfather,” Brad interjects.
“All right.” Dr. Basset looks at the three of us again.
“Addie has suffered a type two Slater-Harris fracture.” He places a picture of what the fracture looks like on the table.
“Is that her bone?” I ask.
“No,” Laney answered. “This isn’t the film of her leg; he’s just showing us what the fracture looked like before the surgery.”
“Luckily for us,” Dr. Basset continued. “This is the most common type of fracture. The surgeons here at the hospital did everything right. They performed an open reduction and internal fixation.”
“Can you please give it to us in layman's terms? Other than Laney, the two of us have no idea what you’re saying.” Thankfully Brad says what I’m thinking.
“They opened up her leg and reset the bones,” Laney answers the question, again. “Then they fixed the bones into place with both wires and screws.”
“Yes,” He agreed. “There isn’t any reason for Addie to not be fitted with a normal brace this morning; this will allow the hardware to heal. I feel the best avenue for us to travel down is to remove the external screws and allow the internal screws and wires to set the bones. Once the areas heal, where the screws will be removed, then she can be fitted for a cast. Because the fracture was extremely clean, I don’t see any reason why her leg will not grow properly. There should be no concern of the bone developing a bone bridge, inhibiting the bones to grow at their normal rate. There may be a possibility for the bones to grow faster on the damaged leg, though. If this were to happen then, we would have to try to get the other leg to pick up the rate of growth.”
“What is the percentage of that happening?” I ask, concerned as warning flags are starting to spring up.
“In Addie’s case, not likely. Because of her age, her bones are still pliable enough that this damage shouldn’t hinder anything. After getting the brace off, the cast will be left in place for several weeks. Once the bones are healed properly, then I would like Adele to start physical therapy to do several exercises to strengthen the muscles of the bones.”
“So that’s it then?” Brad asks.
“Yes, that’s it. This is a simple case, really. The physicians here did a wonderful job setting the bones and getting them stabilized with the screws and wires. My involvement in the case really wasn’t necessary.”
“Your fee?” Laney questions. Shit, I didn’t think this would come up.
“Let’s not worry about it, doctor. You’re well worth it.”
“Wait, how much is he worth, Nathan?”
“Twenty-five thousand is my normal emergency on-call visit,” Dr. Basset said.
“Twenty-five thousand dollars? Are you fucking kidding me?”
“Brad—”
“Don’t Brad me, Nathan.”
“I’ll pay for it out of my father’s money.”
“You will do no such thing, Laney.”
“Okay, well, I’m done here.” The doctor stands taking his files with him. “Make sure Addie sees an orthopedic doctor to keep a check up on her bone growth. Good day.” He leaves the room.
“That's bullshit, Nathan.”
“Brad, don’t start with me."
"Twenty-five grand, Nathan."
"The price shouldn't be an issue when it means the health of a child."
"I agree." Brad says. "But still."
"Stop it!" Laney raises her voice. "Brad, it wouldn't be a big deal if I used my money, so is it a big deal if Nathan uses his? Where the money comes from shouldn't be an issue. The fact of the matter is that our daughter is taken care of, properly. End of story, from either of you. I'll pay." She holds her hand up before I get the chance to interject. "I'm doing this because I'm her mother, and I can. Let's make this one thing clear, Nathan, I have the means." I open my mouth to object, but she doesn’t let me continue. "I have the means and I appreciate the offer. We," she points between her and Brad. "Appreciate the offer, but there are going to be times when your money isn't needed. This just happens to be one of those times. Now," she stands up, "I'm going to my girls."
