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and stomach pains, as well as a bad headache. I’ve also noticed that she seems tired all the time. And she’s losing weight.”
    â€œHas she had a fever?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œAnd what about this rash?” Charlotte was wearing a knee-length skirt, and a patch of red bumps was clustered on her thighs and knees.
    â€œWe just noticed them last night. Do you think they’re related?”
    â€œNot necessarily. They could just be caused by the weather. We see a lot of eczema during the winter months because everyone’s skin gets so dry.”
    I don’t know if the nurse noticed my disappointment, but she added, “. . . but we’ll definitely want to take it into consideration. What are her eating habits?”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œIs she a good eater, or is she finicky at meals?”
    â€œLately she hasn’t been eating much.”
    She turned to Charlotte and touched her on the arm. “We’re going to do a few tests just to get us on the right track and get you feeling better. Is that okay?”
    Charlotte nodded. “Uh-huh.”
    She cried when the nurse slid a needle into her arm to take a blood sample. They also took a stool sample and a throat culture. Then we waited at the hospital for the results.
    Two hours later a young male doctor came to see us. “Mrs. Cardall?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œI’m Dr. Reese, it’s nice to meet you. This is what we know so far. Charlotte’s blood work shows that she has iron deficiency anemia. This can account for her fatigue, weakness, pale skin and headaches.
    â€œNow, the question is, why is she anemic? You told thenurse that she’s been a poor eater lately. So we’re thinking that in Charlotte’s case it is possibly a dietary issue. Children who are picky eaters can become deficient in certain nutrients. I’d like to put her on some iron supplements as well as a high-iron diet. You’ll need to make sure that she gets plenty of dairy products, eggs and meat.”
    I nodded, grateful for any diagnosis and open to any counsel. The doctor continued. “However, anemia is just one piece of the puzzle, and it doesn’t account for all of her gastrointestinal issues. We’re going to have a diagnostic meeting in the morning, so we’d like to keep her here overnight just to keep an eye on her.”
    â€œOvernight?” It’s not that I wasn’t willing to let her stay, I just didn’t want what she had to be that bad.
    â€œYou’re the mother, but we think it would be best.”
    Really there was nothing to do but submit. I called Roxanne from the hospital to let her know where I was. She told me that Marc had called the cleaners twice looking for me and asking for information on Charlotte. He left the phone number of the hotel where he was staying. Honestly, a part of me was glad to see him suffering too.
    Later that evening I phoned him back. He was clearly surprised that I called. “Beth, I—”
    I cut him off. “I didn’t call for me. We’re up at Primary Children’s Medical Center, and Charlotte’s been asking for you.”
    â€œDid they figure out what’s wrong?”
    â€œNot completely. She’s severely anemic, but they’re notsure why. They’re keeping her here overnight to keep an eye on her.”
    â€œI’m sorry you’re going through this alone,” Marc said. “If you want, I’ll come up and spell you off.”
    â€œThat won’t be necessary,” I said curtly. “Here’s your daughter.” I handed the phone to Charlotte.
    â€œDaddy!”
    I watched her smile for the first time that day and it made me angry. I was the one at her side worrying over her. I felt like I did all the work and he got the pay. I feared that Charlotte blamed me for his not being there. It was so unfair.
I wasn’t the bad guy here. I’m not the one who