I’m a fiction writer. I prefer fiction to reality. The trial currently being scrutinized on CNN’s In Session is so surreal it has inspired me to write a vignette set in a dystopic future when medical care is not only mandatory for everyone at any age but the law establishes the appropriate treatment for various physical conditions. In honor of the Beagley trial, I’m titling the vignette:

“Hindsight Is 2020”

In the year 2020 Natasha Beasley was fifty-two years old, and the proud grandmother of three-year-old Keesha. Because Keesha’s single mom had to work long hours, Natasha provided day care for her. So, when one day little Keesha complained to her about a bad sore throat, she called her own doctor and made an appointment to bring Keesha into his clinic, where a pediatrician could take a look at her.

Dr. Ganesh examined Keesha that very afternoon. When he was finished, he led the grandmother out of the examination room where Keesha still sat on the table. “Ms. Beasely,” the doctor said, “from what I can see there’s nothing to worry about. Keesha has tonsillitis.”

“Oh, that’s a relief,” said Natasha. “I had tonsillitis as a kid, too. It’s pretty common, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is, and I’m glad to tell you that since you had tonsillitis we’ve learned a great deal about it.”

“I know. I had a tonsillectomy. And after that they figured out that tonsils are supposed to get infected. It’s part of the natural process. It helps a child’s immune system develop,” said Natasha.

The doctor laughed. “I’m sure that’s what they thought a few years ago. But we know better now. In fact, the most-recent regulations are that tonsils should be removed at birth. Little Keesha’s overdue.”

Natasha thought about that a moment. “Does that mean I have to put her in the hospital right away and have them take her tonsils out?”

“No, you won’t have to do that. The Department of Child Protective Services has just taken custody of her. They’ll take her to the hospital. When you go back out in the waiting room, the sheriff will cuff you.”

“Why?” She was floored.

“You and your daughter violated the mandatory tonsillectomy regulation of 2019,” said the doctor.

“But Keesha was born in 2017. How could we have violated a regulation that didn’t even exist?”

“Isn’t it obvious? It’s retroactive,” he said. “Unless a regulation is retroactive, it’s worthless. Millions of children born too early would slip through the cracks otherwise.”

Finis