Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 60978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
I continued. “But then the specialist said it was just a fragile phase she’d grow out of. Same thing her pediatrician said. When it happened again three months later, a different doctor suggested calcium supplements. When those didn’t work, another suggested she be evaluated for spinal problems like scoliosis.” I reached out to gently touch Lily’s uninjured hand, careful not to wake her. “This time, she tripped over her own feet in the kitchen. I grabbed her arm to stop her from hitting her head on the counter, and I felt her arm snap under my hand.” I looked up at Lana, tears threatening to spill. “I caused this break. Not because I abused her. I tried to keep her from having a worse injury. Besides, grabbing her was a reflex. Even if I’d known she’d have been better off to fall than for me to grab her, I’m not sure I could have stopped myself.”
Lana’s face remained composed, but I could see how she watched me closely. I couldn’t tell if she looked for deception or simply took in everything I said with her undivided attention. “You’ve been trying to get answers,” she stated rather than asked.
“Every new doctor we see, I bring up the same concerns. They run basic tests, say her calcium levels are fine, blame it on childhood clumsiness or suggest I’m overreacting.” I gestured to the stack of papers. “Meanwhile, the bills keep coming. I’ve researched online. There are conditions that cause exactly what Lily experiences, but getting someone to listen, to order the right tests…” I trailed off, the familiar frustration rising in my chest. “I’m not a medical person. And I know Dr. Google isn’t the way to diagnose, but I can’t get anyone to listen.” Tears threatened as frustration built inside me.
“And now they think you’re hurting her,” Lana finished for me.
“Yes.” The word came out as barely more than a whisper. “I’ll be honest with you. At this point, I feel like I’m going crazy. I didn’t intentionally hurt my daughter. Yes, I grabbed her when she fell, but I intended to protect her.”
Lana crossed her legs and sat back more comfortably in her chair. “Tell me about the social worker’s visit today.”
I recounted the confrontation with Ms. Winters. As I spoke, Lana continued to give me her complete attention. Instead of taking notes or something, she really paid attention to what I said. Even if I could lie worth a damn, I knew I’d never be able to fool this woman. She especially hadn’t liked I’d been told to leave Lily alone to conference with her doctor.
“Then Cash came in?” she asked.
“Yes. He’d been here before, when Lily was alone. He sang to her. He didn’t have to. Most people wouldn’t bother with someone else’s crying child. Not to mention he probably risked his parole being revoked.”
Lana smiled, the expression softening her professional demeanor. “Cash has always had a soft spot for kids in trouble, though he’d deny it if you mentioned it.”
I nodded, suddenly overwhelmed by the day’s events. “Ms. Thompson, I --”
“Lana,” she corrected again gently.
“Lana. I appreciate you coming, but I don’t understand what you can do. The system is already in motion. Ms. Winters is filing her report. They could take Lily away while they investigate, or, at the very least, keep me away from her while she’s here.”
“They could try,” Lana said, and something in her tone made me look up sharply. There was steel beneath her polished exterior. “But they’d have to get through me first. And trust me, I’m a lot harder to move than I look.”
For the first time since the social worker had walked into Lily’s room, I let myself breathe. Maybe, I finally had someone on my side.
I watched as Lana opened her sleek leather portfolio, the material gleaming softly under the lights. She angled her body toward me, speaking in a low voice. “I have connections at Vanderbilt University Hospital,” she began, flipping through documents in her portfolio. “I’ve already got calls in to a couple of people who can find the best doctor to evaluate Lily. Whoever I request will want to examine Lily and question you both. I will not let them separate you, but he will likely want to hear about her accidents in her own words. Don’t think it’s because anyone doubts you. I’m not going to let anyone try to trap you or trick you. I am firmly on your side. OK?”
My breath caught in my throat. “Vanderbilt?” I whispered. “I tried to get a referral there last year, but our insurance denied it. Said it wasn’t medically necessary.” I looked at the stack of papers I’d given her earlier. “I’ve got the written denials at home.”
Lana’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Denials for uncommon tests aren’t uncommon. The system is designed to make you give up before you get answers.” I started to say I couldn’t pay out of pocket, she held up her hand. “Don’t worry about the cost. It’s all been taken care of.”