'Vicki said she had a headache.'
'Yes, when she woke. Vicki gave her some liquid Tylenol and that seemed to work.'
'Tylenol was the right thing to give her, Cindy. But in the future all medications-even over-the-counter stuff- will have to be approved by me.
Just to play it safe.'
The brown eyes opened wide. 'Oh. Sure. I'm sorry.'
Stephanie smiled. 'No big deal. I just want to be careful. Cindy, this is Dr. Delaware, the psychologist we spoke about.'
'Hello, Dr. Delaware.'
'Hello, Mrs. Jones.'
'Cindy.' She extended a narrow hand and smiled shyly. Likable.
I knew my job wasn't going to be easy.
Stephanie said, As I told you, Dr. Delaware's an expert on anxiety in children. If anyone can help Cassie cope, he can. He'd like to talk with you right now, if this is a good time.'
'Oh... sure. This is fine.' Cindy touched her braid and looked worried.
'Terrific,' said Stephanie. 'If there's nothing you need from me, I'll be going.'
'Nothing I can think of right now, Dr. Eves. I was just wondering if you'd... come up with anything?'
'Not yet, Cindy. Yesterday's EEC was totally normal. But, as we've
discussed, with children this age that's not always conclusive.
The nurses haven't charted any seizurelike behavior. Have you noticed anything?'
'No... not really.'
'Not really?' Stephanie took a step closer. She was only an inch taller than the other woman but seemed much larger.
Cindy Jones passed her upper lip under her top teeth, then released it.
'Nothing-it's probably not important.'
'It's okay, Cindy. Tell me anything, even if you think it's irrelevant.'
'Well, I'm sure it's nothing, but sometimes I wonder if she's tuning out-not listening when I talk to her? Kind of staring off into space-like a petit mal? I'm sure it's nothing and I'm just seeing it because I'm looking for things now.'
'When did you start noticing this?'
'Yesterday, after we were admitted.'
'You never saw it at home?'
'I... no. But it could have been happening and I just didn't notice. Or maybe it's nothing. It probably is nothing-I don't know.'
The pretty face began to buckle.
Stephanie patted her and Cindy moved toward the gesture, almost imperceptibly, as if to gain more comfort from it.
Stephanie stepped back, breaking contact. 'How often have these staring episodes been occurring?'
