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He hesitated.
“I know the HIPAA laws are in the way, but she doesn’t have anyone, and someone should know about her. I’m a regular and I’ll come visit her every day. I also want to see if I can find her mother.” I felt like I was rambling, but I couldn’t stop the words from tumbling out. “I know what she has. I had it when I was her age. I’m the perfect person to advocate for her.”
“Oh,” he said. “Well, the mother was concerned about the bruises and, though I’m not sure what her exact situation was, I assume that she thought authorities would immediately assume abuse, so she may have fled for that reason. But given that Rory was left, I’d say it could be a situation that you should stay out of, young lady. We have to just be glad the little one is going to get the help she needs.”
I could understand being afraid. Maybe the woman’s home situation wasn’t ideal, or maybe she had an addiction problem and she thought she was doing the best for her baby. I could only hope that was the motivation.
“I see. Will you try to find her family? Her treatments won’t be pleasant and I’m sure she’d get through them easier with her mother close by.”
“We can try, but some people don’t want to be found.”
“What happens, then?”
“She’d become a ward of the state.” He shrugged, but his tone was matter of fact.
“Does that mean foster care?” I asked. “Her treatment won’t last forever.”
“Maybe. The laws in this state are such that a child must be abandoned for eighteen months before parental rights can be terminated and she can be put up for adoption, though depending on her medical prognosis, it would have to be someone willing to take the responsibility of medical issues. That won’t be easy.”
“Wow. 18 months. That’s forever when you’re so little.” I shook my head. I couldn’t think of a worse scenario; abandoned, then in limbo for eighteen months; not knowing what would happen to you. I felt anxious and sick just thinking about it.
“Maybe her mother will come to her senses before then, but for now, this is the best place for her.”
“I agree.” I knew that Rory would be kept in the hospital for several weeks for treatment, but what then? “The doctors and nurses here are amazing, and I’ll come visit her every day.”
“You’re awfully young to be spending all of your time volunteering here, though.”
“I’m a med student. I’m going into pediatric cancer. Particularly, blood cancers,” I explained. “I volunteer on this floor a lot.”
“Ah. I understand. They’re lucky to have you.” He walked back the little girl’s bed. “Well, Miss Rory, it looks like you’re feeling a little better getting your tummy full. A nice doctor will be in to see you later. You be good and get some rest, okay?”
Rory nodded. “Okay.” Her eyes looked tired from crying, and I would settle her in for a nap after she finished eating and I’d checked with Marcia to see when the doctor would be in.
“I’ll check in again, tomorrow,” Mr. Wilson said and then left the room.
“Can we watch a movie? A princess one?”
Rory was still picking at her food, but I sat next to her and slid an arm around her. “A princess movie! It just so happens I’m an expert on princesses!”
***
I stayed at the hospital until just after 8 PM. I was with Rory most of the day except I did make the rounds to check in on the other patients while she slept. Justin, a little boy who had received stem cells and after months in the hospital had gone into remission was leaving. I had the honor of pushing his wheelchair out after he was discharged. That was a happy ending.
I was tired, but after tucking Rory in and reading her three books, she’d finally fallen asleep. I bent to kiss her little head. She would have a full day of tests tomorrow and then they would make a treatment plan. My plan was to be there with her as much as I could.
As I made my way out of the hospital and back to my apartment, I knew that I wanted to talk to my mom, and then Dylan. I hadn’t spoken to him for close to a year, and I managed to fight the urge to call him on numerous occasions since our huge falling out, but I’d watched all of his games and how his star was rising on the international soccer scene.
Even if I wanted to avoid everything about Dylan it would be impossible given that my dad was one of the coaches and Jensen was a sports commentator with ESPN. Beyond that, our families were completely engulfed with each other.
I felt like my feet were dragging as I walked from the car to the elevator and then into my apartment. I had barely kicked off my shoes and dropped my purse near the door and I had my phone in hand to call my mom. She picked up after two rings.
“Hey, sweetheart! I was just telling Daddy how much I wish you would have come home this weekend. Have you changed your mind? We can still get you a flight.”
“I can’t mom. I’d love to see everyone, but something came up here.” I plopped down on the upholstered sofa I’d found at a thrift store. It had seen better days, but I’d refused my parents help to furnish the apartment with new furniture. I still had most of my old stuff from undergrad, and it was fine. The sofa had plush cushions, despite the fabric being worn. It was cushy and it wrapped around me like a comforting hug.
“What happened?” She was concerned.
I felt my throat tighten before I even got into the story, but it didn’t take me long to tell her about Rory and how her mother abandoned her.
