Chapter 18 - LILY’S NEW TEETH
At seven, Lily’s permanent front teeth began to erupt.
The first appeared slightly rotated.
Dr. Reed monitored it.
“Could be normal. Could reflect earlier trauma. Too early to make dramatic predictions.”
I loved her for that.
Eventually, Lily needed minor orthodontic treatment.
Nothing more.
She remembered Chloe vaguely.
She remembered blood more.
At school another child asked why old pictures showed a gap.
“Someone hit me when I was little.”
The teacher informed me.
I asked Lily how she felt.
“Fine.”
“Do you want people to know?”
“I told her.”
“Okay.”
Her story belonged to her increasingly.
May you like
Not me.
She no longer needed me to explain every scar.
