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“Daddy, what’s nitty gritty mean?”
Looking towards me like he needs to be saved, I quickly distract Penny. “That just means details about something. Are you ready to go get that X-ray and find out what’s wrong with your leg?”
“Yes, I think I’ll be okay if you’re there with me.”
“You sure will. I won’t let anything happen.”
By the time we get back to the room, my whole forearm is covered with markers, and she did a surprisingly good job of staying in the lines for an almost five-year-old. I learned that her birthday is a few weeks away and that means she gets to start kindergarten this year. I also learnt that she’s only ever lived with Cash. Ashley, her birth mom, is a “free spirit” who travels all around the world and sends pretty post cards back to Penny. They also video chat at least once a month.
When I wheel her into the room, we find Cash lounging in the chair by her bed. Damn, that man is fine. I can’t help an image of me walking over and straddling those long, muscular legs as I take exactly what I want from the man. It isn’t until I hear Penny that I snap out of my lust hazed daydreams.
“Daddy! Look how pretty I made Chayse’s arm look! Do you like the colors I did? I tried real hard to stay inside the lines.”
“It looks beautiful, baby. You did a very good job. How did the X-ray go?”
“It only hurted a little bit when I had to turn my leg, but I didn’t even cry!”
“Wow, Penny! That’s so good and I’m glad it only hurt for a little bit. So, what do we have to do now?” He asks as he turns to face me.
“Now we just need to wait for Dr. Carson to check out the x-rays and we’ll go from there. If it’s broken, Penny will probably have to wear a cast for a little while and stay off it so that it can heal properly.”
“I was afraid you would say that.” The sigh he lets out is so disheartening.
“It’s not that bad. She’s young and her bones will heal fast. Most likely she’ll only need the cast for 6 weeks.”
“Six weeks is an eternity when you’re trying to keep a four year old still and off her leg.” He grumbled as he rolled his eyes.
“I’ll be the bestest and stay off my leg, Daddy. I promise. I need it to get all better so that Uncle Reid can take me to a real gymnast practice! You’re still going to let me do it, right?” She is too cute as she folds her hands under her chin like she’s praying and giving Cash the sweetest puppy dog eyes.
“First of all, I don’t ever remember agreeing to lessons in the first place…”
“…BUT!”
“Second of all, we need to make sure you’re healthy before we even think about you trying to get on a balance beam or do any other kind of gymnastics again.”
Just then, there is a knock on the door. When I turn, I see Dr. Carson leaning on the frame with a smile on his face and some x-ray films in his hand.”
“Well, hello there, little lady! I hear you fell and hurt your leg. I have these cool x-rays that will show us a picture of your bones! Do you want to take a look at it with me?”
“Yes! Chayse was telling me about the x-ray and I’m so escited to see my bones.”
“Well, okay then. Let’s check them out.” Dr. Carson puts the x-rays up on the board and flips the light on. The whole time I’m watching Penny’s reaction, and it does not disappoint. Her eyes get so big, and her mouth is in the shape of an “O” as she stares at her leg bones on the screen.
“Alright, see this little line right there on your tibia?” Penny and Cash both nod their heads up and down. “That’s what we call a hairline fracture. The good news is, if you’re going to break a bone, this is the best break you can do. Bad news is, you’ll have to be in a cast for a little bit.”
Looking dejected, Cash asks, “how long do you think she’ll need to be in a cast?”
“She’s young and this really isn’t too bad of a break so probably four weeks, or six tops. The cast will go from the middle of her foot to just below her knee. We can hook her up with a little scooter that she can kneel on and use her good foot to get around.”
“Well, I’m glad it’s only a small break and appreciate you getting her the scooter so that she can get around. Should we make a follow up appointment with her PCP or should we go to a specialist?”
“I can give you an order for an x-ray to get in 3 weeks to see how it’s healing. Once you get the x-ray, follow up with your PCP. That’s everything from me. I will have Chayse get someone from Ortho to come down and get her set up with a cast and then you can be on your way. She can have Tylenol and Motrin for pain. If you have any questions, just call the ER and ask for Chayse or me.”
Cash stands to shake Dr. Carson’s hand and I busy myself with calling Ortho to come do the cast.
“What color of cast do you want, munchkin?”
“I get to pick? I think I want purple!”
