Robert was standing fully clothed beside the bathtub. Emily was also dressed; only her feet were resting in the warm
Bathroom
water. Wearing protective gloves, Grandpa was carefully examining the red patches that had appeared on her legs.
On the sink were a special soap from the pharmacy, clean towels, and a notebook.
Inside the notebook, Robert had recorded when each rash appeared, what clothes Emily had been wearing, and what she
had eaten that day.
“What is this?” I managed to ask.
Robert sat down and covered his face with his hands.
“I think Emily has the same condition her grandmother had.”
Doors & Windows
It turned out that Robert’s wife had suffered for years from a rare allergic skin condition. Certain fabrics, laundry detergents,
and even ordinary soaps caused painful inflammation on her skin.
Over the previous several days, Robert had noticed the same signs on Emily. That was why he changed her clothes.
That was why he washed them separately by hand. And whenever he offered to handle bath time, he intended to use a
special product and check whether any new patches had appeared on her skin.
“Why didn’t you tell me anything?” I cried, feeling angry and relieved at the same time.
Robert’s eyes filled with tears.
