Zielle Garcia zipped up her tiny white coat and grabbed her clipboard. She practiced with her toy thermometer on a row of stuffed animals, very serious.
Zielle Garcia marched into the clinic and spotted her friend Mateo sitting on the bottom step. "I'm a doctor now!" she said, clicking her toy thermometer. Mateo pulled his knees tighter.
She read a book about fevers, counted to ten, and tried her stethoscope. Nothing. Mateo sniffled and looked away. The clock on the wall ticked very loudly. Zielle Garcia set everything down.
Zielle Garcia walked outside to the park. The swing set squeaked.
Zielle Garcia sat beside Mateo on the swing. She pulled a star band-aid from her pocket and held it out. His frown softened. "My tummy still hurts," he whispered.
"I know," Zielle Garcia said softly. "I'm right here." Mateo took the star band-aid and stuck it on his arm. He took a deep breath.
Mateo smiled, a real smile. "It feels better," he said. Zielle Garcia beamed and zipped up her white coat.
The clipboard tucked under her arm, they sat together on the swings. Behind them, the clinic door glowed yellow.