Upon arrival at the hospital, nurses and doctors swarmed around taking the child from Reva’s arms to provide necessary medical attention. Feeling suddenly empty-handed, Reva followed as closely as she could, explaining the situation to anyone who would listen.
A hospital social worker approached, a kind-looking woman in her fifties who introduced herself as Mrs. Greene. “Can you tell me what happened?”
Reva recounted the events, the horrific accident, and the discovery of the toddler, including her phone call with Sam. Mrs. Greene listened intently, nodding along.
“You’ve done the right things,” the woman assured. “We’ll need to contact Child and Family Services, as protocol dictates. However, given your involvement and willingness to help, I’ll make sure to note that in my report. It could help in determining temporary guardianship or foster care arrangements until we locate any family he might have.”
Reva nodded. “Please, let me know what I can do. I just want him to be safe.”
“We will,” she promised.
Reva took a seat in the waiting room, filled with a mixture of worry and determination. She’d stumbled into this situation by chance, but now she was deeply invested. Whatever it took, she was ready to fight for the well-being of the child she’d vowed to protect.
With Sam’s legal guidance and the support of the hospital’s staff, she wasn’t alone in this unexpected journey. She’d also spent years on the board of directors of The Hope Project, a state-wide initiative for adoption. This afforded her a unique perspective on the process and a network of connections that would be invaluable as she navigated the hours ahead.
As the clock on the wall ticked close to an hour since she’d arrived, Reva’s phone buzzed with incoming texts. The first was from Capri. “I just heard. What can I do to help?”
Reva’s thumbs moved deftly over the tiny screen.“I’m in waiting mode. Need nothing at this point but additional information.”She typed out a request for Capri to pick up Carlene and get her to her appointment.
Capri quickly agreed.“No worries. Will get it handled.”
Next, she called the court about her hearing and alerted the clerk she’d need a continuation.
She answered dozens of other incoming texts, including those from Charlie Grace and Lila. She also had missed calls from all three of her girlfriends.
Their support meant the world to her. Thick or thin…the four of them were always there for each other.
Minutes drug into hours while Reva sat in the hospital waiting room chair drinking mediocre coffee and hoping for news. “What is taking so long?” she thought, as she listened to a constant hum of distant conversations, pierced with the occasional stern voice coming over the PA. “Paging Dr. Mickelson. Paging Dr. Mickelson.”
Feeling impatient, she stood and paced the linoleum floor. The scent of antiseptic cleaner lingered in the air, a reminder of the environment’s purpose for health and healing. Now and then, the sliding doors swished open, admitting new arrivals.
Finally, a woman with a stethoscope draped around her neck entered from behind two automated doors at the end of the hallway. As she saw Reva’s worried face, her expression turned sympathetic. “Mayor Nygard?”
Reva popped up from her seat. “Yes?”
“It looks like the little boy suffered no life-threatening internal injuries. Beyond a bruised spleen, he’s remarkably unscathed.” She paused, letting the information sink in. “He did sustain some blows that left soft tissue swelling and a rather large hematoma on his left leg. Again, none of this appears serious, but the medical team is recommending he remain in the hospital overnight for observation. These little ones are fragile. Better safe than sorry.”
Reva’s hand went to her throat. “Can I see him?”
The nurse held up a clipboard and nodded. “I’m sure that’s no problem. Now, I’ll need a main contact person from his immediate family. That would be you?”
Reva shook her head and explained the situation.
“Oh, yes. Mrs. Greene explained earlier. I’ll call her now and ask her to come back down.”
Minutes later, Mrs. Greene reappeared, the lines in her face deep and haggard. “I’m afraid, at this juncture, we’ve been unable to locate any family. We did trace down some basic information. The young couple was from Texas and were on their way to Yellowstone for a vacation. We tracked down the little boy’s birth certificate. He was born in a Fort Worth hospital eighteen months ago. An only child. His name is Lucan Dorsey.”
Reva whispered the name. It fit him.
She pulled the pen from the nurse’s fingers and filled out her name and cell number. When finished, she handed the clipboard and pen back. “I’m not leaving.”
The nurse smiled. “Of course. We’ll add your cell to our system. In the meantime, let me lead you back so you can see him.”
Navigating the logistical hurdles took several more hours, but finally, Lucan was assigned a room. The small medical center lacked a dedicated pediatric section, leading Reva to stop at the nurses’ station for directions. After a brief consultation, she was guided to the third floor.
At the corridor’s end, Reva heaved open a hefty door and was greeted by a nurse who was entertaining Lucan with her stethoscope. Enclosed by the crib-like bars of his small hospital bed, Lucan seemed momentarily ensnared in a world that looked a little like a prison, far removed from childhood innocence.
Upon noticing Reva, his expression transformed, eyes sparkling with recognition. She hastened to his side, her glance toward the young nurse carrying a multitude of unspoken inquiries.
