What is going on with our daughter?
The doctor asked us to sit down.
It turned out that three weeks earlier, Daniel had spotted a small, dark spot on Emma’s back. The pediatrician immediately referred her to a specialist. Doctors suspected a rare and dangerous skin disease.
By the time the test results were received, Daniel was to clean the changed site each evening with a special medical solution. It caused a little burning, which is why Emma was crying.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I sobbed.
Daniel lowered his head.
“You lost two pregnancies last year. When the doctor told me about his suspicions, I remembered how at the hospital you begged me never to pass on bad news to you again until they were confirmed. I thought I’d carry that burden myself for a few days.
“Why did Emma say it was a secret?”
His eyes were filled with tears.
“I asked him not to tell you anything about the medicine. I wanted to protect you. But I didn’t realize how scary it might have looked from your perspective.
I couldn’t look at him.
The worst thoughts had already mastered my mind, while he carried alone every evening fear that perhaps our daughter would take away from us.
The doctor put a document on the table.
The tumor is completely gentle. Your daughter’s safe. The trail should disappear within a few weeks.
Daniel closed his eyes and burst into tears for the first time in front of me.
I walked up to him and embraced him.
When we got home that night, we went to Emma’s room together. She slept, hugging the teddy bunny tightly.
Daniel kissed her on the forehead and whispered:
“It won’t hurt anymore, honey.
I took his hand.
There have been no more secrets in our house since that day.
And from now on, we’ve always bathed Emma together.
