Character Analysis
Soldier of Science
David's dad might be equally responsible for the terribleness that is David's childhood, but he fairs a bit better when it comes to intentions than David's mother does. David tells us:
To me, Dad and his colleagues seemed like the heroic men featured in the ads in LIFE Magazine, marching bravely into the bright and shining future. They were soldiers of science, and their weapon was the X-ray. (1.61)
Whereas David's mom is a menacing presence throughout Stitches, his dad genuinely thinks he's doing the right thing. Sure, he's trapped in an unhappy marriage and doesn't attempt to understand how that affects his children, but he does support them financially. And when he gives David horrific medical treatments, it's at least because he believes they're helping.
The Silent Treatment
When David's dad comes to his hospital room with a team of doctors after the first surgery, he's so indistinguishable from the others that you might not recognize him. He puts on an unnaturally happy face, treating David like any other child patient rather than his son. On the surface, it would seem that his artificial cheerfulness is about shielding David from the fact that he might die, but it's also about protecting himself. Denial is a powerful force, and given the fact that Dr. Small is a radiologist, we can assume he's realized X-rays can cause cancer.
Say What?
When David asks his parents if they have anything to say to him about his cancer, his mom says, "Whoever said you had cancer?" (3.280). Okay… His dad admits David had it, but not his role in causing it. Instead, he says:
"Well, the fact is, you did have cancer […] but you didn't need to know anything then […] and you don't need to know about it now. That's FINAL!" (3.283-285)
It takes David's dear old dad two more years to tell his son the truth. We can assume this is because his guilt finally gets the best of him, though importantly, he doesn't apologize. Instead, he does what he always does in difficult moments—walks away and lights a cigarette, apparently oblivious to the fact that he might be causing his own cancer, too.