Read Online Born To Die by Lisa Jackson - Free Book Online Page B

“So, what happened?”
    â€œPlayground accident,” Trace said. “Tell her,” he said, prodding the boy gently.
    â€œI got pushed off the jungle gym.” Anger flared in the boy’s brown eyes.
    â€œWhy don’t you tell me about it while I look at your arm? That’s okay, right?”
    Eli glanced at his dad, who nodded. “I guess.”
    After quickly washing her hands at the small sink located in the room, she dried them with a paper towel, then pulled on a pair of latex gloves as she stepped closer to the boy. Gently, she removed the sling and splint, some cotton padding, and a small ice pack, all the while watching as he blanched even further. “Hurts, huh?”
    Eli couldn’t speak but nodded, his eye filling with tears, which seemed to embarrass him further.
    â€œSo how did the accident happen?”
    â€œCory Deter pushed me off the jungle gym.” Eli was blinking rapidly now, and his jaw tightened. “He’s a jerk!”
    â€œWell, I guess so, if he did this,” she agreed. “So, then what happened?”
    â€œI fell! And ... and I put my hands out like this . . .” He extended his arms, winced, and sucked in his breath. His left arm fell back to his side as he turned ashen again.
    â€œOkay, so you broke your fall by stretching out your arms.” She was nodding. “When?” She glanced at the dad.
    â€œDon’t know exactly,” Eli’s father said. He was staring at her hard, as if trying to figure her out. “I got the call about forty minutes ago, so I assume it was right after it happened.”
    â€œOkay.” She said gently to Eli, “Now, I’m gonna need to take a look at your arm a little more closely. Okay?”
    From beneath his beetled eyebrows, the boy glared up at her suspiciously.
    â€œIt’s okay,” his father said, placing a big hand over the kid’s, but his expression was as concerned as his son’s.
    â€œ ’Kay,” Eli finally said.
    Gently she examined the boy. Testing his movements, running her fingers along the muscles and joints, watching his reaction. All the while, Trace hovered.
    â€œI don’t think it’s broken,” she said finally, “but we can’t be sure without X-rays. There’s always the chance of a stress fracture.”
    A muscle in Trace’s jaw worked. “That’s what the nurse at the school said, and she also said he was running a fever. He’s had a cold he hasn’t been able to shake.”
    â€œSince you’re here,” she said to Eli, “let’s double-check that temp, then take a look at your throat and maybe your ears.”
    Reluctantly, Eli agreed. His temperature was 100.1, his lymph nodes were slightly swollen, his eardrums were red, and his throat was so inflamed, she swabbed it to check for strep. “Looks like you probably need some antibiotics,” she said. “I’m betting your throat is pretty sore.”
    â€œReally sore.” Eli bobbed his head emphatically.
    Trace frowned. “You didn’t say anything.”
    â€œDidn’t hurt before,” his son said.
    â€œIt can come on fast. Looks like a double ear infection, and I’m betting on strep throat,” Kacey said to Trace before moving her gaze to his son. “But you, Eli, should feel better in a couple of days,” she promised. “So, now, let’s get an X-ray of that arm, okay? The lab is in the next building.” She turned to her laptop and made a note, then said to Trace, “You can take him over there and have the X-rays taken. They’ll send them over, and I’ll look at them. It won’t take long. We’ll meet up here again, after I check them. If I think you should see an orthopedist, I’ll let you know and set up an appointment with Dr. Belding in Missoula. Or whomever you want.” She offered a reassuring smile, which wasn’t returned.