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“Emily,I need a favor!”
I cut him off.”What favor?”
“My means are limited.Tell me first,and I’ll see if I can help.”
He paused,then smiled.”It’s about Tommy.”
“Now that you've come back from your overseas advanced studies, you're quite an accomplished graduate.”
“Tommy’s three but still can't speak. As a doctor, you must know someone who can check him.”
“He’s young. If there's something wrong with him, it's important to get treatment as soon as possible.”
I countered,”Have you taken him for tests?”
They looked embarrassed.
“We figured you’d handle it when you got back.”
“Hospitals might scam us.You’re a doctor—you’ll ensure they treat him right!”
“Plus,you’re a star now.Doctors will curry favor with you. Maybe even treat him for free!”
I got it—they wanted my connections and my money.
I laughed inwardly.
“Daniel,I just got back.No one owes me favors.”
“Didn’t Lily’s video say Tommy’s not talking because he’s a‘noble late talker’?”
“I think she’s right.No need for a hospital—it’s a waste of time and money.”
“Lily’s his mom.Would she harm him?”
I looked at Lily.
They’d argued over hospital visits before.
With me backing her,Lily teared up gratefully.
“Emily,you’re right!”
“I’m his mom.I know if he’s sick or just a noble late talker!”
“Too bad your brother didn’t believe me.Finally,someone does!”
She hugged Tommy and burst into tears.
I handed her tissues, consoling her.
This not only made Daniel concede but brought a surprise.
Tommy spoke soon after—but he stuttered.
Lily waited until he was school-age to enroll him.
At kindergarten, Tommy lifted up girls’skirts.
When a teacher intervened, his bulk knocked her down.
He didn’t stop at girls—teachers and boys’pants were fair game.
In the end, under the joint resistance of all the parents in the class , he was expelled.
Other kindergartens, hearing his deeds,refused him.
Lily had to homeschool him.
Hoping elementary school would tame him,she enrolled him.
On day one,she was called in.
“Tommy’s mom, a child's education is of utmost importance!”
“Please teach him not to lift up girls’ clothes!”
Lily exploded.
