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ChapterFour
EMERSYN
“Hello, Dr. St. James,” Bailey says happily from the bed. She’s raised up higher and is getting better. She’s been here for four days now, and I’m discharging her today. “Did you hear my momma and I are moving into a new apartment?” Her smile is so big it lights up the room.
“I did.” I smile back as my excitement matches hers. “Do you have your own bedroom?”
“Yes. I’m going to decorate in pink.”
“That’s my favorite color. Want to see a picture of my room?” I pull my cell from my pocket and click on my photos. “See.” I show her the picture I took of my room when I finished decorating it. I love decorating, it’s something that calms me. My bed has a white-and-rose gold comforter with pale pink accent pillows. At the foot of the bed are two white chairs with pink-and-gold pillows that say “love” in script on them.
“I love that. Look, Momma.” She gets her mother’s attention. Social services has been working with them and is placing them in a secure location. I’m glad they will be protected.
I turn to the computer on the wall and finish entering her discharge instructions as they discuss their new apartment. I’m glad the social worker got them a handicap accessible place as Bailey will be in a wheelchair for a couple more weeks, at least.
My cell pings, and I look to see a text from my mom.
Mom
Need you to call me ASAP
“Okay, ladies. You take care of yourselves. I’ll see you in my office in two weeks for a checkup.” I say goodbye and step out into the hall, where I dial my mother’s cell.
“What’s up?”
“Sebastian got in a fight at school. I’m at my appointment and can’t leave. Can you pick him up?”
“Oh my goodness. What happened?” I move to the elevator to head up to my office to grab my things.
My mother hangs up after explaining that Bas and two of his friends got in a fight with another kid. I’m so angry my body is vibrating with emotion. I really could use another release with Trevor. It’s only been two days and I can’t stop thinking of him. Maybe I will take him up on the offer to scene again on Tuesday.
I’m stressed out waiting for the other shoe to drop. I had petitioned to the court that visitation needed to be altered with my ex-husband. The last time Bas came home after visiting his dad, he had bruises he wouldn’t talk about. My attorney has fought to get a protective order in place. Finally, earlier today the judge agreed. I’m thankful we were able to switch to a different judge who isn’t friends with my ex’s parents. Caleb is going to be pissed as soon as he finds out, not that he was ever an active father. When Bas was born, Caleb told me he didn’t know how to care for him. He would change a diaper once in a while and would hold him a bit, but my mother and I were his primary caretakers. We lived with her because she didn’t want me to drop out of medical school. I didn’t want to get pregnant when I did, but it happened. Now everything I do, even working, is for Bas to have a better life. He deserves everything.
I pull up to Eastport Elementary School and park in the visitor parking area. The late August weather is windy but still warm. I dressed in something fall inspired today. My green skirt goes to my knees and has a slight split up the back. My cream-colored shell style top is sheer at the shoulders. Under my lab coat no one would know that, but I can feel a slight chill when I walk across the parking lot. Wanting to get to my son as fast as I could, I left my jacket at the office.
Bas has been acting up, but for him to use his fists isn’t appropriate. I’m not only upset with him, I’m concerned as to why. My green heels click against the linoleum floors of the hall. I turn into the office and find Bas seated with two boys who are obviously identical twins. Their hairstyles are slightly different, and one has a slightly fuller face.
“Sebastian Christos St. James, what were you thinking!” I raise my voice and three sets of eyes focus on me. Bas has a busted lip and a mark on his cheek. One of the other two boys is not only sporting a black eye but what could be a broken nose. His brother only has a busted lip. All three are covered in grime from rolling in the dirt.
“Mom, he started it. He jumped Hays. Dyne and I just had to defend him.” Bas waves his arm toward the office door, which opens as the principal steps out with another boy. The boy is bigger than the three boys seated.
“Dr. St. James, I’m sorry you had to come down here. I’ve got it all taken care of. These three”—she points at Bas and his friends—“will be out of school for the rest of the week.” Her grip tightens on the shoulder of the boy next to her. “This one, however, will be out for another week and then a week of in-school suspension when he returns. He jumped Hayden, and I don’t put up with that. I’ve heard from these three that he has been bullying them all too.”
That explains Sebastian’s attitude lately.
“Okay, as long as it’s taken care of. Come on, Bas, let’s go.” I direct him to follow me, but he stops to talk to the two boys he was sitting with.
“Hopefully you don’t get into too much trouble. My mom is a doctor if you want her to look you over, Hays.” I can’t hold back the smile that he’s offering me to help his friend.
“No, it’s okay, our dad is a paramedic.”
I nod at the boys and wave my hand to Bas. “Come on, honey. You’ll have to go to the hospital with me. I still have some charts to finish up. Boys, if you need me or your parents want to talk, just call this number.” I hand one of them my card that has my cell on it.
“Bye, Dr. St. James,” the boys say at the same time. “Bas, call tomorrow,” the one named Hays says. He has the shorter hair and fuller cheeks.
“I’ll try.” Bas follows me out to the car, and we head back to the hospital.
* * *
