Chapter 35 - chloe's first day in the clinic
Chloe was now twelve.
She had become fascinated with the pavilion.
Claire had deliberately kept her away from the business side of it.
But one summer afternoon, Chloe asked,
"Can I come with you?"
Claire smiled.
"Why?"
"I want to see what you actually do."
So Claire took her to the community clinic.
Chloe spent the morning watching nurses.
She helped organize educational materials.
She listened to Maya explain prenatal care.
At lunch, Chloe asked,
"Why don't these women just go to the expensive hospitals?"
Maya answered gently.
"Because not everyone can."
Chloe looked confused.
"But if they're sick, shouldn't they all get the same care?"
Claire looked at her daughter.
"Yes."
"Then why don't they?"
Claire didn't answer immediately.
Because the honest answer was complicated.
"Because systems are built by people," she finally said.
Chloe frowned.
"Then people can change them."
Claire smiled.
"Exactly."
That afternoon, Chloe watched a young mother receive an ultrasound.
The woman looked at the screen and began crying.
Chloe whispered,
"Is she okay?"
"She's scared."
"Why?"
"Because she wants her baby to be okay."
Chloe watched silently.
On the drive home, she asked,
"Mom?"
"Yes?"
"When I grow up, can I help too?"
Claire glanced at her.
"You can do anything you want."
"I think I want to do this."
Claire smiled.
"Then don't do it because it's my work."
Chloe looked out the window.
"I won't."
May you like
She paused.
"I'll do it because it's important."
