“In the psychiatric community, those with an IQ between zero and twenty-five are referred to as idiots. They can’t respond to stimuli or communicate with any level of competency. Those with an IQ between twenty-six and fifty are termed imbeciles. They are stalled mentally at about six years of age. And those with an IQ between fifty-one and seventy are termed morons. Morons can communicate with others and learn common tasks, though they often need specific instruction or guidance.” Dr. Cavazos retrieved a chart from the shelf behind her and placed it on the desk, facing Patricia. It was divided into several different sections, the bottom one labeled idiot, the top, genius. “Here is a representation of where most students score.” She pointed to the range between ninety and one hundred ten. “On both visual and verbal problem-solving, however, María scored here.” She pointed to seventy. “For example, when I asked her how a banana, apple, and orange are alike, she said, ‘Pear.’ That’s not quite…it’s related to what I said…but it misses the point that they are all fruit.”

Patricia didn’t know how much more of this she wanted to hear, and she said, “Please just say what you have to say, Dr. Cavazos.”

“Well, the good news is that María isn’t functioning at the level of an idiot or imbecile.”

“But she’s not normal either. She’s…what did you say? A moron?”

Dr. Cavazos nodded. “She can take care of herself. She doesn’t have any physical challenges. She has some typical life skills. But, yes, she does fall into the moron range.”

Patricia swallowed the tightness in her throat. “Well, how long is this…this phase…going to last? How long until she grows out of it?”

The psychologist hesitated. “In my experience, Mrs. Diaz, it isn’t a phase, and one doesn’t grow out of it.”

Patricia stared blankly. What was this woman telling her? María wasn’t just developing slowly. She was in fact…what was the word people used…feebleminded? “I’ll spend more time with her at home,” she said softly, quickly. “I’ll help her—”

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Diaz,” Dr. Cavazos said. “What afflicts María is not something you can ‘fix.’ Now, don’t get me wrong,” she added. “María can and will continue to learn and add to her skillset. She can love and be loved—”

“But if she continues to fall further behind her classmates, how is she going to graduate? How will she cope in high school? How will she ever get a job?”

The psychologist leaned forward. “I don’t think you understand fully what I am saying, Mrs. Diaz. María will never graduate. She will never attend high school, or college for that matter. And she will almost certainly never hold a job. She is going to need special care.”

“For the rest of her life?”