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“If they need a place to stay tonight or even longer, they can stay with me,” Amanda said.
“Are you a registered foster parent, Miss Garner?”
“No, but—”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t place children in just any home.” Miss Walker smiled apologetically. “Now, let me talk to them, and we’ll take it from there. Okay?”
Having no power to bar the social worker from the children, Amanda let the woman move past her toward the examination room.
“I’d like to be present while you talk to them.”
Amanda followed Miss Walker in.
“Now, Miss Garner—”
“It may ease them to see a familiar face. I’ve been with them all morning.”
Miss Walker heaved a sigh but didn’t argue before she announced herself and pulled the curtain open. Mona had her head resting on the side of the bed next to her sleeping brother. She straightened up with questioning eyes.
“Mona, my name is Miss Ann Walker. I’m with the DFCS—Family and Children services,” the social worker explained.
Mona turned a betrayed gaze over to Amanda.
“The hospital had to call them when they couldn’t reach your parents, Mona,” Amanda explained. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m here to help,” Miss Walker said. “To make sure you and your brother will be taken care of.”
“We can take care of ourselves,” Mona said, mistrust lacing her voice.
“I’m sure you can. You’ve kept yourself safe in the woods for a week, I heard,” Miss Walker said with a trace of admiration in her voice. She set her heavy bag on the floor and sat down on a nearby chair.
Mona glanced at Amanda, looking unsure. Amanda gave her an encouraging nod, hoping Mona would finally open up to someone.
“That must be scary to hunker down in the woods like that,” Miss Walker continued.
“It was fine. We camp a lot,” Mona said.
“You do? Who do you camp with?” Miss Walked leaned her arms on her thighs, focusing on Mona with an interested smile. “Your mom and dad?”
Amanda was impressed with how Miss Walker got Mona to talk. She sounded genuine. Maybe Amanda was too fast to judge the other woman.
Mona nodded. “Our dad likes to do outdoorsy stuff. He taught us how to pitch a tent, build a fire, fish, and all that stuff.”
“Those are important life skills. He sounds like a good father,” Miss Walker said. “Is he a good father, Mona?”
Mona looked at Miss Walker suspiciously, as if she was wondering if it was a trick question. She looked agitated again.
“I can’t talk about them. Please, don’t make me talk.”
“Okay, if we can’t talk about your parents, maybe you can talk about you and Beau,” Miss Walker said. “Can you tell us why you camped out in the woods alone?”
“I need to keep us safe,” Mona said, crying. “But I didn’t do a good job of keeping Beau safe. When I heard people calling our names this morning, we ran from camp. I wasn’t paying enough attention. I should’ve warned Beau about the snakes. It rained last night.”
Snakes escaped their flooded dens after a heavy rain. Though it wasn’t a storm, it’d rained enough for elevated snake activities in the woodsy area. The rangers had warned the searchers about it this morning.
“It’s not your fault, Mona,” Amanda couldn’t help but try to soothe her.
“Who do you need to keep safe from, Mona?” Miss Walker kept on point.
