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Jillian nibbles on her fingernail, looking as if she’s waging an internal battle with herself over this.
“Jillian.”
We both turn to find a pretty blonde nurse standing by the entrance doors. “Roslyn was asking where you were. I tried to cover for you, but ultrasound called about one of your patients.”
“Oh, thanks, Jess. I’ll be right there.” Jillian spins to face me. “Please, please don’t let me down.” Her lips quiver as she hands her phone to me.
I swiftly type in my number and return it to her now shaking hand. The sight of it causes me to snap. Pulling her into my arms, I whisper into her ear. “I promise you on my nephew’s life, I won’t let you down, Tesoro mio. Go on. I’ll call you in a moment.”
She seems to gather herself, still in a bit of shock that she’s trusting me with her child, and turns to walk back inside when it hits me.
“Jillian.”
“Yes?”
“I don’t know your last name.”Jeez. No wonder she thinks this is a bad idea.
“Geller. You’re picking up Truitt Geller.” She gives me an uneasy grin before turning to sprint through the ER doors.
Walking into St. Luke’s Child Care and Development Center, I put on my brightest smile. “Good afternoon. I’m here to pick up Truitt.”
The two women behind the counter stare wordlessly at me.
“Truitt Geller.” I repeat. “Jill said he had pink eye and needed to be picked up.” I flash a more seductive grin and lean in with my forearms on the counter.
I don’t miss when both of their mouths fall open and the younger of the two lifts her hand to her throat.
“She’s tied up at work.” I point over my shoulder toward the ER. “And her mother and brother are away. So, I offered to come get him.”
The two of them continue to blink at me like animatronic characters on a ride at Disney World. Okay, this is starting to get weird.
Suddenly, it hits me. What if Truitt won’t come to me? What if I freak him out and these two start to panic that I’ve got some ulterior motive?
“Is your name on the pick-up list?” The older of the two asks. I notice she’s wearing a nametag that displays, Bernadette.
“No. There hadn’t been a need ’til now.” I’m about to offer to call Jillian so she can verify I’m here under the right pretenses, but decide to add, “Jill… well, it’s still new.” I wink and watch as she visibly relaxes, a light giggle escaping her. I lower my voice and continue, “We can call her before I leave with him. If that will give you peace of mind that he’s in good hands, Bernadette.”
“Yes. That would be good. Lindsey, can you get Tru for…”
“Luke. I’m Luke Barrett.”
Lindsey scurries away, and I pull out my phone, preparing to FaceTime Jillian once they return with her son. After preparing my phone, I place it on the counter and watch the older woman who has her eyes fixated on my arms.
“Here he is,” Lindsey says, and I’m both shocked and relieved to see Truitt happily grinning back at me. Could this child remember me from Luigi’s the other night? Or does he have no ability to sense stranger danger? I suddenly feel overly protective and want to teach him the ways of the world. To not be so trusting. But that will have to wait for a day wherethis strangerisn’t trying to help his mother.
“Hi, little man. Eat any crayons today?” I greet as he reaches for me.
“Ha. Youdoknow him.” Lindsey laughs.
“Let’s call your mother and let her know I have you, yes?” I hit the video call button as Truitt grabs at my shirt. I find myself bouncing him on my hip like I did when Mimmo was small and hear the two behind the counter with their ‘oohs and ahs.’ All of a sudden, Jillian’s pretty face appears on the screen. I don’t know who’s more happy to see her, Truitt or me. “There’s Mama,” I tell him. “Can you say Mama?”
“Ha. If you can get him to say that, I’d kiss you,” Jillian belts out.
Guess I know what the two of us will be practicing over the next hour.
“Be careful. Pink eye is terribly contagious. I don’t want to see you end up with it.”
I’d forgotten the whole reason for coming here and pull back enough so I can inspect his eyes. The left one is a bit red with a few tiny white flakes in his lower lashes. Poor kid. “I’ll try to be careful. We’re going on a walk, right, buddy?”
