Author's Note: This is an idea I've had for a few days now. I'm not 100% sure where I'm going with it, but I wanted to get what I do have up. Thanks to those who supported this idea when I first mentioned it! :) I'll try to have more posted ASAP!

"Well, David, it looks like I'm going to have to call your parents," the school nurse said. David could feel his palms sweating. He'd just had a routine hearing test. He had had one done every year. Why was the nurse calling his parents now?

The nurse noticed the scared look on David's face. "I just need to discuss the results of your hearing test with them. Nothing to worry about." She smiled at him, but David didn't find it comforting. "You may return to your class."

David's heart rate seemed to have doubled in the course of a minute. He wanted to ask if she was seriously sending him back to class, but he could tell she meant what she said.

He walked back to his classroom, trying to make sense of what had just happened. He could obviously hear, so why did the nurse see the need to contact his parents? He slipped back into his seat, trying to act as if the test had been no big deal. But, somehow, he knew it wasn't.


Daphne had never expected a phone call like this. Calls from David's school weren't out of the ordinary. He was often given awards for his outstanding grades, or for some other achievement. But when the caller identified herself as the school nurse, Daphne immediately felt uneasy. "Is he – is he all right?"

"Yes, Mrs. Crane. He's fine. We just did his annual hearing test. And there's something I think you and your husband should know."

Now Daphne was beyond confused. David had heard her just fine when she called him to come down to breakfast this morning. Sure, he hadn't come the first time, but what child did? "What is it? I know me son can hear."

"Your son's hearing is quite good. But not perfect. He missed certain frequencies. It's nothing serious, but it is something you should have checked."

Daphne's mind raced. How on earth do I tell Niles this? She knew her husband loved classical music and opera, and he longed to share those passions with his son. She couldn't let herself think about the possibility. Slowly, Daphne realized that the nurse was still waiting for a response. "I'll talk to me husband tonight, and we'll decide what to do. Does David know about this?"

"No," the nurse replied. "I didn't see a need to upset him now. But you and your husband will have to let him know eventually. Please don't be too upset. This kind of thing happens sometimes. Even if he does have a hearing loss, he can still live a normal life. This isn't the end of the world."

"Right," Daphne replied, trying to sound confident. But inside, she wasn't nearly so sure. It may not be the end of the world to you, but it certainly feels that way to me, she thought.