The halls of Indiahoma High School were loud with students changing classes, lockers slamming, and teachers calling out reminders for the day. But in the back corner near the life skills classroom, Dougie sat curled up in a chair, crying so hard his whole body shook.
His AAC device rested beside him untouched.
Normally Dougie liked carrying his comfort items everywhere — his plush tiger, his Lightning McQueen blanket folded over his lap, and his chew necklace hanging from his neck. But this morning he barely looked at them. His face was red, tears streamed down his cheeks, and every few seconds he let out another miserable sob.
His teacher, Grace, knelt beside him carefully.
"Dougie, sweetheart, can you tell me what hurts?"
Dougie only cried harder and pressed both hands against his stomach before curling tighter into the chair.
That was when Dr. Shofiner, the school LCP, walked into the classroom after Grace had called for help.
The moment he saw Dougie, his expression changed with concern.
"Oh no," Dr. Shofiner said softly as he crouched beside him. "Dougie, you don't look like you feel very good."
Dougie shook his head quickly, tears splashing onto his blanket.
Dr. Shofiner gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let me tell Grace I need to check your temperature and possibly make a phone call to your adopted aunt Susan since your mother isn't alive."
Grace nodded immediately and moved to dim the lights in the room because she knew bright lights overwhelmed Dougie when he felt sick or scared.
"It's okay, buddy," she whispered. "We're gonna help you."
Dr. Shofiner used a thermometer while Dougie whimpered quietly. After a few seconds the thermometer beeped.
Grace looked worried. "103.1?"
Dr. Shofiner nodded gravely. "That explains why he's so miserable."
Dougie rocked back and forth crying, clutching his plush tiger against his chest now like he finally remembered it was there.
Dr. Shofiner spoke gently. "Dougie, I think we need Aunt Susan to come get you and maybe take you to see a doctor."
At the mention of Susan's name, Dougie looked up through tears. Susan always knew how to comfort him. She brought soft blankets, cold juice, movies, and sat beside him whenever he felt frightened.
Grace picked up the phone and called her.
Meanwhile, Dr. Shofiner stayed beside Dougie the entire time, speaking calmly while Grace rubbed his back.
"You're safe," Dr. Shofiner told him. "You don't have to be brave by yourself."
About thirty minutes later, the classroom door opened quickly and Susan hurried inside carrying one of Dougie's favorite cooling rags and an extra blanket.
The second Dougie saw her, he burst into fresh tears and reached both arms toward her.
"Oh, honey," Susan said sadly as she hugged him carefully. "You must feel awful."
Dougie buried his face against her shoulder, trembling.
Grace explained everything quietly while Susan listened with concern.
"I'm taking him straight to urgent care," Susan said. "Poor guy's burning up."
Before leaving, Dr. Shofiner handed Susan a note with Dougie's temperature and symptoms written down.
Then he crouched beside Dougie one more time.
"You did a good job letting us help you," he said kindly.
Dougie sniffled and gave the tiniest nod.
Susan wrapped the Lightning McQueen blanket around him, picked up his AAC device and plush tiger, and carried him out of the school while Grace waved gently from the doorway.
"Feel better soon, Dougie," she called softly.
And for the first time all morning, Dougie's crying finally began to slow as Susan carried him safely to the car.
