It was the first question he asked.
Not what happened.
Not what had his mother done.
“Paramedics are treating her,” I said.
“I’m coming.”
I looked at Elaine.
“Your mother took Lily’s inhaler away because she thought Lily was disrespectful.”
Silence.
“She what?”
“She hid it while Lily was having trouble breathing.”
Another silence.
Then Daniel said, “Put Mom on.”
“No.”
I surprised myself with how quickly I answered.
“No?”
“She’s speaking to the police. Get here safely.”
I ended the call.
That was another small thing that changed that day.
For years, when Elaine created a conflict, everybody handed it to Daniel.
Explain your mother.
Calm your mother.
Talk to your mother.
Translate what your mother really meant.
Not anymore.
Elaine had created this situation herself.
She could answer for herself.
A paramedic told me Lily’s breathing was improving but that they wanted her evaluated because of the severity of the episode and the delay in receiving her rescue medication.
