When our son broke his leg, my ex-husband swore it was just a freak accident. I wanted to believe him. But hours later, a charge nurse slipped a note into my hand that said, “He’s lying. Check the camera at 3 a.m.” When I slipped into the security room later, I uncovered a horrifying lie.I was sitting at my desk, finishing a report, when my ex-husband’s name flashed on my phone screen. Our son was currently at his house, so I answered immediately.”Hey, so… don’t freak out,” he started.My heart rate doubled instantly. “What happened, Jasper?””Howard broke his leg. He fell off his scooter. Freak accident. I was right there with him. I saw the whole thing.”Howard is ten. He’s energetic and brave, but he’s still my baby.”Is he okay? Where are you?””He’s fine. Just shaken up,” Jasper said. “We’re at the ER.”
I grabbed my purse, told my boss it was an emergency, and drove to the hospital like a woman possessed.Howard looked so small in that big hospital bed. A bright blue cast was already wrapped from his ankle to his knee.”Hey, buddy.” I leaned down and kissed his forehead. “You scared me.””I’m sorry,” he whispered. His eyes were red-rimmed.”For what? You didn’t do it on purpose.””For falling.” He wouldn’t look me in the eye.Were you doing tricks again?” I asked gently. I wasn’t even mad; I just wanted to know what happened. Howard loves trying to jump the curb, even though I’ve told him a thousand times to wait until he’s older.”I told you,” Jasper interrupted. “He just lost his balance. No tricks. Just a weird slip on the driveway.”Howard shifted uncomfortably in the bed. He looked at his dad, then at his cast, then at the floor.Something was off. I could feel it in my gut, but I didn’t want to start a fight in front of my injured son.”Well, the important thing is that you’re patched up now,” I said, though my mind was racing.I stayed by the bed, stroking Howard’s hair while he drifted in and out of sleep. Jasper sat in the corner, staring at his phone.That evening, a woman in navy scrubs walked in. Her badge read “Charge Nurse.” She was efficient and quiet, checking Howard’s vitals and scribbling on a chart.
