Elizabeth’s Cries Echoed
Elizabeth's cries echoed from the bathroom. "I don't want to anymore," she sobbed, "It hurts my mouth." Jason stood outside, heart sinking as he listened to his daughter’s pain. His mother-in-law's soft attempts to comfort her were failing, leaving him increasingly concerned.
The situation escalated quickly—there was a crash, followed by Suzie’s sharp reprimands. Jason couldn't take it any longer. He knocked twice and entered to find a scene beyond anything he could have imagined. While it explained some of his daughter’s recent behavior, it also left him with more questions. Chief among them was why his mother-in-law felt entitled to scold Elizabeth in his own home. Jason had no idea just how deeply this would anger him.
Uninhabitable
For the past six months, Suzie, Jason’s mother-in-law, had been staying with their family after a flood rendered her home uninhabitable. During this time, Suzie and his wife formed a close bond, often teaming up to tease him, which brought him joy and relief. Suzie also became a doting grandmother, spending so much time with Elizabeth that it felt like she had become the child's primary caregiver.
Initially, Jason appreciated the extra help, especially with his young daughter. Suzie’s presence was a comfort, and he cherished the time spent with her, aware that her age made every moment precious. However, as weeks passed, the situation began to shift. What had once been a blessing slowly turned into a challenge, as the dynamics in the household started to strain more than support their family life.
Picky Eater
Elizabeth’s pickiness with food had reached new extremes, with each meal becoming a battle. Jason was used to her convincing her mother to prepare mac ‘n cheese instead of the planned chicken and vegetables. However, the new issue was far worse—Elizabeth would whimper and cry with every bite, a drastic shift from her usual behavior.
Although Jason initially blamed Elizabeth’s grandmother for secretly giving her sweets, he began to notice a troubling pattern. Since moving in, Elizabeth's food aversion had worsened, and her behavior seemed increasingly affected by it. What once seemed like innocent indulgence was now impacting the whole household, and Jason couldn’t ignore the growing concern.
Close To Her Father
Elizabeth had always been close to her father, sharing special moments together. One of their favorites was their weekly tradition of visiting the ice cream parlor on Friday afternoons for a banana boat. It was a rare chance for them to relax and bond, as Jason’s work often kept him away from home.
Jason had made it a point to keep this routine, hoping it would strengthen their connection despite his busy schedule. The ice cream parlor, with its playful decor and the friendly staff who always added extra rainbow sprinkles, was one of Elizabeth's favorite places. But recently, her behavior had changed, and she no longer looked forward to their ice cream trips. Jason hoped it was just a phase, but it deeply saddened him to see her turn away from something she once loved. He couldn’t help but wonder what had caused the shift.
Unlike Any Other
Saturday night’s dinner was unlike any other. Elizabeth screamed in distress, making Jason feel as though they were forcing her into an abusive situation by insisting she stay and eat. He hated the idea of forcing his child to do anything, but her refusal to eat had become a growing concern. She had lost so much weight, and despite his efforts, she continued to avoid meals.
Jason’s wife had tried every trick, but nothing worked. Elizabeth wouldn’t even touch mac ‘n cheese, no matter how cheesy or tempting it seemed. It was as if she had lost all interest in food. She refused the soda her grandmother had set out for her, too. Jason grew increasingly worried; if her eating habits didn’t improve, her health could suffer. Elizabeth was already petite, and with the weight she had lost, he feared the consequences could be far more serious.
Became Concerned
Jason became concerned when Elizabeth’s weight dropped significantly, wondering if something was wrong with her health. He’d heard of children losing their appetite due to serious illness and feared it might be the same for her. Having never been seriously ill before, except for the occasional flu, there was no way to know how she might respond to a more serious condition.
That Monday, Louise took Elizabeth to the doctor for a checkup. Despite no obvious symptoms of illness like fever or congestion, the physician assured them she was perfectly healthy and might simply be going through a phase of refusing food. The doctor recommended offering Elizabeth whatever she wanted to eat, avoiding sugar to maintain her weight. While Jason was relieved it wasn’t a more serious illness, he still felt uneasy. The issue wasn’t her pickiness, but her complete refusal to eat anything at all.
Reached His Limit
That evening, Jason had reached his limit. He went into the kitchen, boiled potatoes, scrambled eggs, and seasoned them just right before mashing the potatoes. At dinner, instead of the usual steak and vegetables, he placed a plate of mashed potatoes and eggs—two of Elizabeth’s favorites—before her and gave her a firm look.
“If you don’t finish at least half of your plate tonight, you won’t be going to Sarah’s sleepover,” he warned, picking up his utensils and gesturing toward her plate. Elizabeth huffed in defiance, stomping her foot under the table, but after another stern glance from Jason, she reluctantly began eating. The room was tense as everyone watched her take a bite, chew, and swallow. Time seemed to slow until, finally, she burst into tears and angrily threw her spoon across the table.
Gathered Elizabeth Into Her Arms
Laura quickly gathered Elizabeth into her arms, trying to comfort her as the little girl hiccupped and screamed in distress, clutching her cheeks. Watching his daughter so upset, her face turning blue from the intensity of her cries, broke Jason’s heart. He felt powerless as the situation overwhelmed him.
Jason shook his head and stood, gently taking Elizabeth from Laura so she could take a break. Laura kissed her on the cheek before stepping away, leaving him with their daughter, who was still sobbing and kicking in his arms. Despite knowing he should address her tantrum, he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Deep down, Jason sensed something was wrong—his daughter wasn’t just throwing a tantrum. He grew more concerned each day as Elizabeth refused food, her weight dropping dangerously. He knew something had to be done before it was too late.
Slid Under The Covers
Jason slid under the covers and glanced at Laura, his face filled with concern. "I think we need to take Elizabeth back to the doctor’s," he said. "She’s lost at least seven pounds. I’m really starting to worry." Laura closed her book and focused on him, her expression serious. "You’re right. I’m not sure she’s okay, either. Earlier, when she was screaming... she was kicking and writhing. Do you think it could be something internal?"
Jason shook his head. "I don’t think it’s anything that serious. If it were, we’d be seeing more symptoms. But it could still be painful." He hesitated before asking, "Will you take her tomorrow?" Laura nodded and kissed him goodnight, though both of them lay awake, unable to shake the worry gnawing at them.
A Piercing Scream
A piercing scream shattered the quiet of the night, pulling everyone from their sleep. Jason quickly threw off his covers and rushed toward his daughter’s room, where Elizabeth's frantic cries filled the air, so loud they seemed to echo down the street. His heart raced as he reached her door.
Flipping on the light, Jason’s stomach dropped at the sight of his daughter, her face wet with tears and her legs thrashing under the blankets. Laura followed close behind, sitting down beside Elizabeth and gently rubbing her back. “What’s wrong, sweetie?” she asked, exchanging a worried glance with Jason. But Elizabeth only sobbed uncontrollably. Feeling desperate, Jason headed to the kitchen, grabbed the ibuprofen, and hoped that their suspicions were right. If so, it would bring relief to the whole house.
Theory
Jason didn’t typically like giving his daughter any medicine without knowing what was truly wrong, but he couldn’t take it anymore. She was writhing in pain and unable to eat and now sleep—he needed to help her.
If Laura’s theory about her being in pain was right, then the ibuprofen would help, and if not, it would still help her sleep more peacefully. He couldn’t take this anymore. She wasn’t eating, and she was constantly crying; he needed to help his daughter the best way he could. But hours later, it seemed like it had finally kicked in. Elizabeth was peacefully asleep and no longer writhing in pain—which is what he now knew plagued her so.
The Unveiling
The next morning, as Jason brewed his morning coffee, his mother-in-law Suzie came into the kitchen, looking unusually bothered. She glanced at him, her eyes flickering, and then quickly turned her attention to the coffee pot. Jason couldn't help but notice her nervous demeanor.
Taking a sip of his coffee, he cleared his throat, "Mom, we need to talk." His mother-in-law turned to him, her expression shifting from confusion to curiosity. "What's on your mind?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern. Jason recounted the events of the past few weeks, from Elizabeth's sudden aversion to food to her recent episodes of pain. As he spoke, his mind flitted over the countless meals his daughter had missed and the countless tears she’d cried. His heart broke.
Riddled With Worry
Finally, Jason reached the part about the previous night's ordeal. "I gave Elizabeth some ibuprofen last night," he said, dragging a hand through his hair. "And it seemed to help with her pain. But I can't shake the feeling that there's more to this than meets the eye." Suzie's eyes widened slightly, and Jason felt a surge of frustration. "Do you know anything about what's been going on?" he asked.
Suzie shook her head, “I do think she had pain, but I don’t know why it might be.” Jason closed his eyes in frustration, “The pain is an easy thing to fix with some medicine, but I’m worried about her poor eating. Wasn’t there a time Laura ate poorly? What did you do?” His mother-in-law shrugged, “Yes, but every child goes through that phase. She got over it in a week and started gobbling down mashed potatoes like no one’s business. That isn’t the case for Elizabeth, though.”
Round TwoRound Two
His conversation with his mother-in-law had left him with even more questions than answers or solutions. He had already called for another appointment with her pediatrician, but what if they sent them away again? What would he do then? He couldn’t just keep giving her medicine. He doubted that it was healthy.
At this point, Jason felt desperate. He was willing to take her to all of the doctors in the world if it meant Elizabeth got better. He couldn’t let her continue to eat so poorly; her little body couldn’t handle it. It had already been too long that she’d been eating so poorly, and it would only be a matter of time before it became serious. Elizabeth was quiet and obedient at her doctor’s appointment; however, her tiredness was evident. She was frequently yawning, the black circles under her eyes were becoming darker by the day, and her little face looked scrawny.
No Coincidence
“She isn’t displaying any discomfort around her abdominal area, which leads me to believe that it can’t be internal pain. I’d suggest keeping a close eye on her to find out what exactly it is that’s causing her pain,” the doctor said, “It’s also important to remember that children sometimes go through phases of poor eating habits and that it might correct itself.”
Elizabeth’s eyes flickered to her father, their depths displaying such fatigue that he almost scooped her up and took her home. “With all due respect, doctor, I can’t take that for an answer. There is something wrong with Elizabeth. She’s writhing in pain every night.” A flash of annoyance entered the doctor’s face, but it was gone before Jason could call him on it. Nash had been their doctor since Elizabeth was born, and had even treated Laura when she’d been pregnant and sick.
Mouthful Of Pain
“I know you’re frustrated, Jason. But I’ve checked her top to bottom—there’s nothing wrong. It has to be some kind of psychological pain or something a GP can’t see. If you want an in-depth exam, then you’ll have to go somewhere else. I can refer you to someone?” Jason’s temper ignited like a fire. “What haven’t you checked? Did you look between her toes? Her throat? Her fingers? Check everything again, then. I’m not leaving without an answer or a solution, Nash.” The doctor’s mouth tightened with displeasure, but he relented. The room was eerily silent as he examined Elizabeth again, checking between her toes, behind her ears, her fingers—everything.
The doctor was silent as he searched her mouth, pulling her lips away and having her lift her tongue, something Jason hadn’t even considered before Nash whistled, “I’m no dentist, but I can tell you that doesn’t look too good to me. Her teeth…they’re…I don’t know, but I’d suggest taking her to the dentist as soon as possible.”
Call Ahead
“What do you mean? What’s wrong with her teeth?” Jason asked, scooping Elizabeth up when Nash was done examining her. The doctor shook his head again, “I can’t tell you for sure, but I’ll call ahead and see if they have an opening for you. It’s not life-threatening, but she’ll want some pain relief for sure.”
Jason frowned, irritated at the vague answer but still too thankful for the help to say anything. Why hadn’t he thought to check her mouth in the first place? His daughter had never had trouble with her teeth, and so he’d never had any concerns about that. She always brushed her teeth and used mouthwash—she did everything right, so why would she be having oral health problems? “You guys can take her at two o’clock. But bring the guy a sandwich; he’s an old friend doing me a favor during his lunch.” Nash smiled and then pinched Elizabeth’s cheek softly. “He’ll take good care of her.”
Dental Appointment
“Her tooth enamel is non-existent,” Doctor Klein said, “That could explain the teeth sensitivity and pain. You said she’d not been eating well?” he sat back in his chair and glanced at Jason. He shook his head, placing a hand on Elizabeth’s ankle in support. “That’s highly due to this. Tooth-enamel is there to protect your teeth from cavities, temperature—all sorts of things. So in Elizabeth’s case where it’s absent, it might cause tooth sensitivity that in turn causes immense pain and lack of appetite.”
The doctor removed his gloves and stood, moving to his computer right behind the chair Elizabeth lay in. “Get her toothpaste for toddlers and babies that has less fluoride but enough to start the remineralization process. In English—it replaces the tooth enamel lost.”
Startling Realization
While Jason was relieved that they had found the cause of his daughter’s pain, he was still concerned as to how it might have happened. She’d gone from never having dental problems to having such severe problems they’d need to start an entire process to fix it. Something was fishy, and he didn’t know what. Per the doctor’s instructions, Jason fed Elizabeth room-temperature food for the following two weeks, but when she still did not improve, Jason knew something had to be seriously wrong. They’d bought her all-new toothpaste and toothbrushes and even got her specialty mouthwash—something sinister was going on.
It was only the following week, right when he’d woken up, that Jason realized what had been going on. While he had expected something, he could never have imagined the truth that would come to light as he listened from outside the bathroom.
Granny
“I don’t want to anymore,” cried Elizabeth, “It hurts my mouth.” Jason listened in on the bathroom, alarmed at his daughter's cries. He heard the gentle coos of his mother-in-law trying to soothe the girl to no avail. Suddenly, there was a ruckus, the sound of someone falling, and Suzie’s harsh reprimand. Unable to stand it anymore, Jason knocked twice and entered. The scene revealed to him was something he could have never conjured up in a million years.
It explained so much about his daughter’s behavior these days, but it was also not enough. He had no idea what was going on, and he wanted answers. He wanted to know why his daughter was being so harshly reprimanded behind his back. Little did he know just how angry he would get.
Ignorance Is Bliss
“Suzie, what are you doing?” he asked harshly, ushering Elizabeth out of the bathroom. The girl still had her toothbrush in hand, and his mother-in-law was still kneeling on the ground, some sort of box in her hand, when he entered the bathroom. He looked closer at what she held, the woman groaning as she stood and grew momentarily confused. “What is that? Is that baking soda? What would you…” But then it dawned on him, and Jason felt like he could breathe fire.
“Did you force her to brush her teeth with that?” Jason yelled, outraged at his mother-in-law’s insolence. “How many times?” Suzie only looked appalled that he would talk to her that way and was shocked as she looked down at the baking soda in her hand.
Good Intention Bad Execution
Jason yanked the baking soda out of her hand and shook it, “Have you forced her to brush her teeth with this? How long? Is that why her teeth are so sensitive now?” Suzie just lifted her hands, her brows pulled together in displeasure. “Well, somebody had to do something. Her teeth were as yellow as the sun, Jason.”
His eyes widened, and his mouth fell open in a gape, “She’s a five-year-old girl, Suzie. She barely has her adult teeth, and you’re worried about their color! Do you know how much damage this did to her teeth?” Suzie huffed, “Oh please, that’s just nonsense. This worked wonders for my teeth when I was younger. They were pearly white if you can remember.” Jason was appalled and utterly beyond himself with anger. “You have dentures now, Suzie! Doesn’t that say enough?”
Bully Granny
“I can’t believe you bullied my daughter into thinking she needed to do this. There was nothing wrong with her teeth from the beginning. What’s wrong with you?” But Suzie had had enough. She just threw down the baking soda and stormed out of the room. Needing his own time to cool off, Jason returned to Elizabeth’s room, where he found her crying. Laura was comforting her, and upon seeing his anger, she shook her head. He needed to know why his mother-in-law thought this would be a good idea.
How could she think of doing that to his daughter? Good intentions or not, she still bullied Elizabeth and caused damage to her teeth. It wasn’t so much her teeth that he was upset about, but more about the fact that it had made her so incredibly sick and caused her to suffer.
Family Problems
Elizabeth had since been separated from her grandmother because Jason could not trust her around the little girl. She’d seen Elizabeth’s suffering, saw their worry, and had willingly gone along with her plan without thinking to inform them. The morning he’d asked her for advice, she’d still lied to him and kept the truth from him. How could he trust her? And why would she allow her granddaughter to suffer like that? Jason’s mind was reeling with questions and the betrayal of it all.
Laura had tried to reason with him, but he was too wound up. Especially when they took Elizabeth back to the dentist, and he revealed that the damage had worsened. His mother-in-law had ruined his daughter’s health, and she hadn’t even apologized for it. How would he ever forgive her?
Broken Trust
Days turned into weeks, and despite Suzie's attempts to apologize and make amends, Jason couldn't bring himself to trust her again. The rift between them widened with each passing day, fueled by the pain and betrayal he felt for what she had done to Elizabeth. His mother-in-law's remorse seemed genuine, but it was overshadowed by the damage her actions had caused. No amount of apologizing could erase Jason’s memory of seeing his daughter in agony or the guilt he felt for not realizing sooner what was happening, nor could it erase the betrayal Suzie had left him with.
Their once-close relationship was now strained, stained by mistrust and resentment. Jason struggled to reconcile the woman he had known as his loving mother-in-law with the one who had caused so much harm to his child. All the months she’d stayed with them, she’d forced Elizabeth to ruin her teeth.
A Fractured Bond
Despite the tension between them, Jason couldn't deny the impact his mother-in-law's presence had on their family dynamic. Elizabeth missed her grandmother terribly, and Jason couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness every time he saw the longing in her eyes. But he couldn't overlook the fact that Suzie's actions had endangered Elizabeth's health and shattered the trust they had once shared. No matter how much he wanted to believe that things could go back to normal, he knew deep down that their relationship would never be the same again.
How would he ever be able to leave Elizabeth with her again? How could he know she wouldn’t give his daughter poor advice or break her down about her appearance? Jason was torn about what to do, his limbs pulled at by the fact that he missed his mother-in-law and was distrustful of her.
Seeking Closure
As time passed, Jason grappled with conflicting emotions—anger towards his mother-in-law for what she had done and a deep-seated desire to mend their fractured relationship for the sake of their family. Laura tried to make it easier by talking to him about it, but he was still so angry. He knew that forgiveness wouldn't come easily, but he couldn't deny the ache in his heart for the woman who had raised him. Despite everything, she was still his mother-in-law, and he couldn't shake the feeling that there was a part of her that genuinely regretted her actions.
Suzie often called their home to apologize or asked to visit since she’d gone to stay with a friend of hers, but neither Laura nor Jason had been keen. Sometimes, he felt like he was overreacting, and then he’d remember how she’d looked when she’d been eating poorly, and he was angry again.
A Fragile Reconciliation
In a moment of vulnerability, Suzie appeared at their home unannounced. She approached Jason with tears in her eyes, begging for forgiveness and expressing remorse for the pain she had caused. At first, he’d been hesitant, but Jason listened silently, his heart heavy with the weight of their shared history.
Despite his lingering doubts, Jason found it in himself to offer a tentative olive branch, acknowledging that healing would take time but expressing a willingness to work towards rebuilding their relationship. She explained herself, what she’d intended, and why she now realized it had not been the right thing to do. Jason told her why he felt betrayed and how he’d been vulnerable. He asked for help that day, and she lied.
A Tentative Truce
Their reconciliation was far from perfect, marked by awkward silences and lingering resentment, but it was a start. Jason found solace in the small moments of connection they shared, a glimmer of hope amidst the wreckage of their past. As they navigated their newfound understanding, Jason couldn't help but wonder if their relationship would ever fully recover. But for now, he was content to take each day as it came, grateful for the opportunity to rebuild what had been broken.
They gave her supervised visits and asked Elizabeth for every detail when she visited, and slowly but surely, the bond started to mend. However, Jason still frowned every time Suzie mentioned a new health trend.
A New Normal
In the end, Jason comes to terms with the fact that their relationship will never be the same as it once was. The wounds of the past would always linger, a constant reminder of the pain they had endured. He knew they would always be cautious of her advice to Elizabeth, always look at her too closely when she came to visit, and that Elizabeth might struggle with her dental health in the future.
But amidst the scars, there was also resilience—a newfound strength that came from facing adversity together. As they forged a new path forward, Jason held onto the hope that one day, they would find peace in the midst of their turmoil.