FATHER ALWAYS SMILING

Chapter 05 ~~~~~~

It had been over a week since Elain came to live in this new country. Some things were still hard to get used to, like the healthcare system. The fact that a good majority was paid through taxes and not out of pocket seemed crazy. But also, really smart.

"We'll schedule your next appointment at the reception desk." The doctor said with a faint smile as she finished wrapping Elian's right arm as Elain's mismatched eyes looked down at her arm. "Also, it looks as though the stitches along your shoulder seem to be holding up well."

Elain didn't respond; she knew that the doctor was trying to make small talk to fill the empty void of silence.

"How long will she need to wait for at least the stitches to be removed?" Elain's father asked. It would have been her mother originally, but she received a call for a sudden interview that her Dad had to take Elain to this appointment instead. Something that her mother felt incredibly guilty over since she had this appointment planned since they had procured the sale of their new home months ago.

"Given how well it's healing, I'd say four or five more weeks." She says before looking back to Elain. "Just as long as you don't overexert yourself or do any heavy lifting. This is also the same as your healing arm. Nothing heavy."

"We know," her father added. "My wife was very strict about that. She hasn't done anything strenuous or lifted anything heavy."

"Good, but it should still be said as a reminder. Just because your daughter feels like she could take on the world doesn't mean she should."

Elian didn't respond. How could she? It's not as if the woman knew anything about what she had dealt with.

Elain's father then pulled out his phone that buzzed loudly. "I'm sorry, Doctor, I'll be right back. I need to take this."

"There's a stairwell just at the end of the hall. You can answer your call there."

"I'll be quick, Mijita." Her Dad said before leaving the room.

The doctor then paused, dark eyes looking to Elain as the girl put her long-sleeved shirt overtop her tank white top to hide her injuries from everyone else beyond the examination room.

"We have resources if you need them." The doctor said, drawing Elain's attention. "I read your file; it gave some details of what happened across the border in the States."

Elain suppressed the urge to sigh. This was the last thing she wanted to go into while still adjusting to her new environment. Even if this was coming from someone who meant well, the timing of it was terrible.

"I'm not going to force you to talk about it," the doctor said as she crouched so that Elain would be looking down at her. "But I can at least tell you that I understand what it's like being profiled or discriminated against."

Elain's gaze snapped to the doctor, taking in what the woman thoroughly looked like. And though this woman had white skin, her features were round as she had light brown eyes and curly black hair. Was she also mixed like her? Or was it something else?

Regardless of what this woman thought, what happened was something that many people didn't understand. Primarily because of her mixed heritage. Images of the event flashed as she instinctively touched the healing scar on her eyebrow above her blue eye.

"Thanks," Elain said, diverting the topic. "I'll... think about it. Right now, I just want to recover more than anything else."

"That's understandable." She says. "Are you alright with meeting at the same time next week? We need to be sure of your arm's capabilities as it goes on."