“I can tell,” I said, considering a blank sheet in my file. “It says here that this boy is extremely bright and . . . that he is also very strong.” Fernando wore a T-shirt with the green image of the Incredible Hulk on the front. “It says that I do not want to shake his hand because he is as strong as the Incredible Hulk—so strong that he might crush my fingers.”
Now I had Fernando’s attention. He could not hide his grin, which was electric. It lit up his face and the room. I tentatively stuck out my hand. He eyed it with suspicion. Then, willing to play the game, he placed his hand in mine, but so lightly it barely touched my skin. When I squeezed, he also squeezed. I grimaced and flinched. “It is true, Alejandra. It is true,” I said in Spanish. “He is crushing my hand.”
Fernando giggled, a sound as pure and true as the chimes of the bells that rang from the steeple of Our Lady of Mercy.
“Please, do not crush my hand,” I begged. “I have patients I must treat.”
He released his grip.
I sighed and flexed my fingers. “Thank you, Fernando. Thank you. I’m Dr. Sam,” I said. “Alejandra, I’ll bet you that Fernando likes Popsicles; do you think you could find one for him while we talk?”
Alejandra left to find Popsicles. I said, “Fernando, can I share a secret with you?”
His brow furrowed, and his eyes narrowed.
“It is a secret that no one else knows. Tus ojos son extraordinarios,” I said. He lowered his chin. “Muy especial,” I continued. When Fernando retreated into his shell, I said, “You don’t believe me?”
He shook his head. “Ellos son los ojos del Diablo.”
“No,” I said. “They are not the devil’s eyes. You are one of God’s children.”
Again, he shook his head.
“But I can prove it,” I said. Fernando looked skeptical; so did the woman seated in the corner. A gold crucifix dangled from a chain around her neck. “I have been all over the world, Fernando, and I have searched for someone with eyes so extraordinary, but you are the first person I have found to be so blessed. Now, are you ready for my secret?” I asked.
He nodded, becoming curious. The woman, too, leaned forward.
I walked to the sink, washed my hands with soap and water, and slowly removed my brown contact lenses. Fernando watched with fascination, perhaps never having seen anyone do such a thing. I did not bother to put them in a contact case. For the first time since I had started wearing contact lenses at eighteen years of age, I was ashamed of myself. I turned on the tap and allowed the water to wash them down the drain. When I returned to my chair, with my sight slightly blurred, Fernando’s eyes widened. The woman made the sign of the cross, lifted the crucifix to her lips, and kissed it.
“They used to call me the devil boy,” I said. “But you see, I am not the son of the devil, and neither are you. God gave me extraordinary eyes so that I would live an extraordinary life. And I have, Fernando. If God had not given me these eyes, I would never have met you.” Fernando’s lower lip quivered. “God did not make you different, Fernando. He made you special.” I put the tip of my finger to his chest. “But what is most important is not the color of your eyes. What is most important is what is inside.” All my mother’s lessons came pouring out of me, along with the need to console someone who had likely never been consoled. “Now you know that you are not alone. Now you know there is someone like you. And I am going to make you a deal, Fernando. I am never again going to hide the color of my eyes or be ashamed of them. And I want you to promise me that you will also never be ashamed.” I put out my hand. “Is it a deal?”
Fernando jumped from the stool and shot past my hand, wrapping his arms around my neck, hugging me. “Todo va a estar bien, Fernando,” I said. “Ten fe. Todo sucede por una razón.” Everything is going to be okay.