18. What Now?
728 Words
A heavy silence fell upon the room. Summer was horrified and would have fallen if Aidan wasn’t there to support her. The sheriff had a stony expression, his teeth clenched so hard they seemed about to shatter, and Caleb was so horrified that he had fallen on a chair.
“What?”
“She is asleep right now, and I really think it’s better for now. She lost too much blood already, we had to give her a blood transfusion.”
“Oh my God! What will happen to her now?”
“We’re trying to reach next of kin…”
“I don’t think there is anyone.” Said Caleb heavily. “It was just her and her mother since her father left.”
“Were did he go?”
“No one knows. He left for work one day and never returned. Never reached his workplace, either. Since they were having some problems, and there was no proof of fool play, everyone just assumed he got tired and left. Since then, it was just her and her mother.”
“What did her mother do?”
“Cleaning houses, I believe.”
“Where was she employed?”
“I don’t know, she had several homes… one was Bernice’s, she babysits her old mother while she’s at the store…”
They were referring to the lady that ran the local store in Paradise Mountains. An eavesdropper if they had even found one, but an honest one.
“I need to speak to her” sighed the sheriff, his expression still clenched. He looked at the doors that led to the ER but he didn’t seem to be seeing them. His eyes were lost in the past and he was far into his head than he’d like.
“And how about Cassie?”
“As soon as she wakes up, I need to speak to her. And if she has no next of kin, I’ll have to call social services.”
She was a minor still… a bruised, battered and parentless minor. Things were bumping in her way… Summer was almost afraid of her waking up… she looked at Aidan and accepted his comfort, his arms around her while she processed the shock.
“Keep me posted about her.” Said Alex curtly. He was already on his way to his car, his hands on his phone.
Caleb looked at Summer and Aidan, a furrowed brow and a half-smile:
“Are you two a couple?”
“No.” said Summer.
“Yes.” Said Aidan at the same time. They looked at one another and Summer sighed:
“Something like that, yes…”
Caleb snorted.
“Keep your hands to yourselves at school. Those kids have enough bad examples in their lives already… ”
Summer smiled with sadness.
“Yes, we wouldn’t want to traumatize those kids any more than they already are, would we?”
“You need to rest, Summer.” Sighed Caleb. “Go, I’ll stay until we know something.”
“I found her… I should stay.”
“Summer, you’ve been here for the greater part of the day, Cissy’s school must be ending by now, you need to go to your daughter.”
Caleb’s voice was resigned and Summer felt a jolt in the pit of her stomach. With everything that had happened, she had forgotten to pick her up.
“You’re right, I…”
She disentangled herself from Aidan’s arms and picked up her purse.
“Go, Sunshine. I’ll stay as well and keep Caleb’s company.”
She nodded and left almost in a sprint. A corridor away she stopped. She had come with Cassie in the ambulance. She needed to call a taxi.
A set of keys dangled in front of her, startling her.
“Take my car.” Said Aidan. “I’ll take a ride with Caleb. And drive carefully.”
“Thank you.”
With a grateful smile, she almost run to the parking lot. Mountain Springs did not even have a hospital, so she was further away from her daughter than she would like. She was already picking up her phone when she realized Aidan was still looking at her, hands in his pockets. She mouthed a “thank you” again and entered his car.
He looked grim when he turned around and re-entered the waiting room.
Dialing Cissy’s school number, she introduced herself and asked to speak with her teacher. She summarized the situation and was reassured the other teacher would keep an eye on Cissy until she arrived.
Those situations were dire for everyone, and finding a student with sliced wrists and obvious signs of abuse was something no one would ever envy her.
She tightened her lips and fought her tears. How could someone bounce back from that nightmare? Not alone, she wouldn't.
While driving back home, she made a decision. She would be there for Cassie. Whatever the cost may be.
- Writer
