Chapter 8 - RICHARD’S GUILT
Richard blamed himself.
That became almost as dangerous as blaming Martha had been.
“If I had fought harder…”
“If I had taken him sooner…”
“If I had believed him…”
Leo’s therapist eventually stopped him.
“Your son does not need a father whose identity is built around failing to save him.”
Richard stared.
“He needs a father who is here now.”
That became his work.
He learned Leo’s medications.
Attended therapy.
Stopped interrogating him about Martha.
Stopped asking whether he remembered specific incidents.
Forensic interviewing belongs to trained professionals.
Parents searching for answers can unintentionally shape memories.
Richard wanted truth.
He learned not to chase it through his son.
Leo returned to school gradually.
His arm healed.
The first time doctors left it uncovered, he cried.
Not because it hurt.
Because he felt exposed.
The cast had become psychologically associated with illness, punishment, and his mother’s attention.
His therapist worked slowly.
No forced bravery.
No dramatic breakthrough.
Weeks later, Leo wore a short-sleeved shirt again.
Richard sent our department a photograph.
Marcus printed it.
I made him take it off the staff board because patient privacy mattered.
He apologized.
Then kept it in a private thank-you card Leo had sent with permission.
“Doctors are annoying,” the card said.
Underneath:
May you like
“But Dr. Sarah helped my arm.”
I laughed for the first time when thinking about the case.
