Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

Watching Maggie hold Joey was heartbreaking. She so deserved to be a mother, and Aaron resented God for not allowing Maggie to live her dream. Yet when he had suggested adopting, Maggie had refused.

Looking at her cradling the little boy now made him wonder if she might change her mind.

Not that it mattered. She'd walked away from their vows, their marriage, and their love.

Enough. He had to stop torturing himself over the demise of his marriage. His parents had been together for over forty years, and it was difficult for him to accept that he'd failed when it came to having the same type of relationship they had.

A wonderful, supportive, and enduring one.

Apparently, that was not meant to be for him. Aaron straightened when a tech entered the room. "I'm here to take a patient named Joseph Johnson to the CT scanner?"

"Right here." Maggie pushed herself up off the chair while still holding on to Joey. "Lead the way."

The tech appeared disconcerted but then turned to leave. Maggie gave him a quick nod as she passed. Maybe a thank you for getting Joey the care he needed.

As if he'd stand by and do nothing for the little boy who'd lost his mother.

He glanced at his watch, wincing at the time. Even though he'd asked for the radiology scan to be expedited, he would have to leave soon if he was going to make his presentation.

As the Chairman of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, he didn't think skipping the program was wise. He was relatively new in his role, and his being promoted above other cardiac surgeons with more experience had not necessarily gone over well. Yet he didn't want to leave until he knew Joey wasn't badly injured. If the boy was bleeding into his abdomen, he might need surgery depending on the size of the hematoma.

Aaron reached for his phone, scrolling through his list of contacts until he found the one he wanted. Dr. Kyle Flores was the best pediatric trauma surgeon on staff. He called his colleague, hoping the guy wasn't in the OR.

To his surprise, Kyle answered. "What's up? I thought you were doing a presentation at the Pfister?"

"Yeah, soon. I responded to a bus crash outside the hotel. We have a four-year-old by the name of Joseph Johnson with abdominal pain getting a CT scan right now. I'd like you to take a look at the results, see what you think."

"I heard something about that," Kyle said. "I'm between cases, so I can head down now."

"Thanks." He pocketed his phone and walked out into the hustle and bustle of the emergency department. When he saw Kyle Flores stroll in, Aaron hurried over to meet him.

"They're down the hall in radiology."

Kyle nodded, and by mutual agreement, they headed in that direction. Aaron could hear Maggie speaking with Joey from the hallway as they approached.

"You're very brave, Joey. I'm so proud of you. Just continue to lie still, okay? That way we can get pictures of your tummy."

"Can I see the pictures?" Joey asked.

"I don't think so because they won't look like pictures in a book," Maggie said. "They're pictures only the doctors can understand."

"Hurts," Joey whimpered.

"Please hold still," the tech said from his position behind the console. There was a lead-glass partition separating the CT scanner itself from the area where the tech reviews the images on screen. As he and Kyle entered the image room, he wasn't surprised to see Maggie was sitting in a chair beside Joey who was lying on the CT table.

"Just a little while longer," Maggie said encouragingly. "Maybe I can read you a story when you're finished. Would you like that?"

Aaron stood off to the side giving Kyle room to see the images displayed on the screen. There were dual monitors, so while the tech continued his job of obtaining the next set of pictures, Kyle pulled up the images that had already been completed.

"I see the hematoma," Kyle said. "Looks to be three centimeters in diameter in this image, but I'll need the rest to make a final determination."

"Would you recommend taking it out?" Aaron asked.

"If it's as big as I think it is, based on these initial images, yes. I'll want the radiology report finalized, though, before I go in."

"Are you sure you'll have time today?" Aaron trusted Kyle, but if time was of the essence, he couldn't very well expect the trauma surgeon to push off a procedure he'd already scheduled.

"Yes, I can take Joey after my next procedure." Kyle eyed the little boy through the lead glass. "Is that his mother?"

"No, that's Dr. Maggie Dall. She's a pediatric anesthesiologist from Johns Hopkins," Aaron explained. "She responded to the crash site with me. Unfortunately, Joey's mother died in the crash."

Kyle frowned. "I'll need to get consent from a family member," he said. "From these initial images, I can't say that taking him to the OR is a matter of life and death to bypass the need for a surgical consent."

Aaron grimaced and nodded. "The police were going to see if they could find any family at the address listed on his mother's ID. But what if they can't? I don't want to delay his care."

Kyle sighed. "I'm not sure. I might have to run this up the administrative flagpole."

Eyeing Maggie speaking softly to Joey, Aaron knew that response would not go over well. Hospital administrators were not known for making quick decisions. Especially if they had to get their hospital attorneys involved.

"I guess that's up to you," he finally said. "I just hope that the administrative delay doesn't hurt the little boy."

"Look, I need to get back to the OR," Kyle said with a sigh. "I'll put Joey here tentatively on my schedule to follow the next case, but I'll have to see the final results before I can move forward. I might be able to make an argument for considering this procedure emergent, but it would be easier all around if the police can find a parent or close relative to act as a legal guardian for this kid."

"I will see what I can do." He tore his gaze from Maggie and Joey. "I appreciate you coming down so quickly."

"Anytime. Keep in touch." Kyle nodded and left.

If Aaron was going to make his presentation, he'd need to hit the road soon. He could follow up with the police on his way back to the hotel. Maybe knowing the little boy needed surgery would help spur things along.

He considered calling Alec, his brother the detective, but decided to hold off. He could always use his brother as leverage later if his attempt to go through official channels didn't work.

He stepped into the CT scanner. "Maggie?"

She turned to face him, her brown eyes reflecting surprise. "You're still here? I thought you'd left."

"I'm heading out now. Just wanted to let you know that a trauma surgeon colleague of mine, Kyle Flores, will be reviewing Joey's CT scan results when they're available. He has him tentatively placed on the OR schedule for later this afternoon, depending on what the final results show."

"Kyle Flores, got it," Maggie said. "Thanks for doing that."

"Of course. I have to head back to the hotel, but I'll check back with you and Joey later." He hesitated, then decided not to get into the issue of Joey's guardianship. There would be time to tackle that issue if the police hadn't found anyone at Pamela Johnson's address.

"Good luck with your presentation, but don't worry about us. We're fine," Maggie said, before turning back to Joey.

He knew that was her way of saying she didn't need his ongoing support. It was a bit like a slap in the face, especially since she was wrong about that. For once, having the title of Chairman of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery might be useful, rather than just a whole lot of additional paperwork and meetings.

If there was a way to get Joey the surgery he needed, Aaron fully intended to make that happen. No matter whose feathers he had to ruffle in the process.

* * *

Maggie was touched by how Aaron had gone the extra mile in finding a pediatric trauma surgeon to follow up with Joey's injury. Obviously, she wouldn't have married him in the first place if he'd been an arrogant jerk. Even as he'd earned a reputation for being a highly sought-after pediatric cardiac surgeon, he hadn't let his success go to his head.

Most of the time. On occasion, she'd had to reel him back in.

Yet their relationship had grown strained as they'd undergone one set of infertility testing after another. A tension that had finally reached its breaking point when she'd been forced to accept that she would never be able to give birth to Aaron's child.

That she would not be able to contribute to the next generation in the Monroe family.

"Hold still," the tech said again.

She shook off the useless thoughts of the past. She and Aaron weren't together anymore. She had no doubt that he'd moved on, especially after he'd relocated back to his hometown. Besides, there were more important things to focus on. Like this poor child who likely had suffered internal bleeding after being in the bus crash. She leaned forward, resting her hand on the little boy's head. "Lie still, Joey, okay? Just for a few more minutes. We're almost finished taking pictures of your tummy."

The little boy squirmed but then nodded. He was trying so hard to please her. She couldn't imagine how she'd find the words to tell him his mother was never coming back.

Tears stung her eyes just thinking about it.

"Okay, three more pictures to go," the tech said.

"You're being such a good boy," she whispered to Joey.

"Where's my mommy?" Joey had asked this question three times now, and she still had no idea how to answer him.

"I know your mommy was on the bus with you, but where was your daddy?" she asked. "Was he at work?"

"No, I don't have a daddy. Just Mommy." His lower lip quivered again. "I want my mommy."

"Shh, it's okay. I'm here." She hoped the tech would hurry up with the last three pictures. "I won't leave you, Joey. I promise."

It seemed like an eternity before the tech finally said, "We're all set. You can get up off the table now, Joey."

"Easy, though," she cautioned, unsure of the CT scan results. She assumed Joey had a hematoma, but it could be small, large, or somewhere in between. She eased the boy into her arms and stood. "I'll carry him back to his room."

"Sure thing. I'll show you the way." The radiology tech took a long hallway back to the busy emergency department. He led the way to their previous room. "I've sent the scan images to the radiologist. I'm sure the physicians here will be able to see the results soon."

"Great, thank you." She lowered herself into the chair, keeping Joey on her lap. The hour was close to lunchtime, but Joey couldn't have anything to eat or drink if he was scheduled for surgery.

For long minutes, no one entered the room. It made Maggie wonder if the staff didn't care anymore about Joey now that Aaron wasn't there. She was about to stand and reach for the nursing call light when the previous nurse breezed into the room.

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name," Maggie said. The nurse's name tag was turned backward so she couldn't read it.

"I'm Rachel. I'll be here until seven o'clock this evening," Rachel said.

Maggie knew twelve-hour shifts were rapidly becoming the norm, albeit with mixed feedback. Twelve hours was a long time for a nurse to be on his or her feet caring for patients. Yet longer shifts also meant an extra day or two off each week or pay period.

"Hi, Rachel. Would you be able to let me know when the radiology report on Joey's CT scan is ready? I'd like to read the results for myself."

"Oh, uh, sure." Rachel looked confused for a moment. "Are you on staff here too? Like Dr. Monroe?"

"I'm a pediatric anesthesiologist from Johns Hopkins," she said. "Aaron is—an old friend of mine. We both responded to the bus crash."

"Got it," Rachel said with a smile. "Okay, I'll let you know. In the meantime, we have Joey listed as NPO." Maggie knew that meant nothing by mouth. "Dr. Flores has him tentatively on the OR schedule for three p.m. this afternoon."

"I understand." Telling Joey that he couldn't have food and water would not be easy. "Thanks for the update."

"Yeah, sure." Rachel nodded at Joey. "I'll need to get a set of vitals on him."

"Of course." She shifted the little boy in her lap. "Joey, Nurse Rachel is going to listen to your heart and your breathing, okay?"

He shrugged but didn't protest when Rachel wrapped a pediatric-sized blood pressure cuff around his arm. He handled the procedure like a trouper. A few minutes later, Rachel stepped back.

"His blood pressure and pulse are a bit high, likely because of his belly pain," Rachel said. She turned to log into the computer in the corner of the room to document her findings. "But he's otherwise stable."

"Thank you." Maggie settled back in her seat, wondering what would happen next. She didn't care about missing the rest of the conference, that was the least of her worries. She'd only signed up in the first place because all physicians needed continuing educational credits and she'd been behind in getting her educational sessions in.

But it felt strange to sit here with Joey without knowing what was going on with the rest of the bus crash victims.

Most of them had been relatively unharmed. As Aaron had performed CPR on Pamela Johnson, she'd gone through the rest of the bus to check on the other passengers. Two had sustained broken arms, including the man who'd been sitting relatively close to the bus driver. That man had sustained a concussion, too, as had another victim behind the seat where she'd found Pamela and Joey. Thankfully, none of the other passengers had sustained a life-threatening injury.

Unlike Joey's mother. It was difficult not to question God's plan. She didn't want to give the child the horrible news about his mother's passing without having something more to offer. Like his aunt, uncle, or someone who would be stepping in to take care of him.

Surely this little boy wasn't completely alone in this world.

Was he?

The minutes ticked by slowly as she thought about Aaron giving his presentation. She already knew he was a dynamic speaker, having heard him give presentations while they were married.

She still wasn't sure what had possessed her to attend this particular conference. At some level, she must have thought it would be a good idea to get Aaron out of her head and her heart once and for all.

Yeah, that wasn't exactly how things had worked out.

Her stomach rumbled with hunger, but she ignored the sensation. Joey hadn't asked for anything to eat, and she wasn't sure if that was good or bad.

Rachel popped her head in a few minutes later. "Everything okay?" she asked.

Not really , but Maggie didn't say that. "I may need to borrow a phone to make a few calls." She didn't have her purse or her phone with her; they were back at the hotel. "I need to contact the police to see where things are at with the bus crash victims."

It took Rachel a second to understand. Then the nurse nodded. "Of course, I understand. I think we have a few landline phones left. I'll see if I can find one for you."

"Thanks." It was difficult not to feel naked without a phone, a wallet, even a credit card.

She didn't have long to wait, as Rachel returned fifteen minutes later, but instead of a phone, she escorted a heavyset police officer. "Dr. Dall, this is Officer Thomas. He has a few questions to ask."

"Nice to meet you, Officer Thomas." Maggie tried to get a hint as to the news he had to share. "This is Joey Johnson."

"Yes, I heard." The officer's eyes were kind. He came farther into the room, then hunkered down beside them. "I'd like to ask Joey a few questions if that's okay."

"Of course." She couldn't help pressing a kiss to the top of Joey's head. "Joey, can you answer some questions for the policeman?"

Joey nodded without saying anything. He still rested against her, but some of the little boy's earlier spunk was gone. She hoped it was more that he was worn out from all the activity rather than the hematoma getting worse.

"Joey, I went to the apartment where you and your mommy live, but no one was home. Do you know where your daddy is?" Officer Thomas asked.

Maggie bit her lip to prevent herself from answering for the boy.

"Don't have a daddy," Joey said. "Just my mommy."

"I see. Do you have an auntie? Or an uncle?" Officer Thomas persisted. "Brothers or sisters? Maybe in school?"

Joey shook his head. "No, just my mommy. Where is she? Can you bring my mommy here?"

The officer's compassionate gaze met hers. She shook her head, indicating she hadn't told Joey about his mother.

Officer Thomas gave a subtle nod in return. For a moment, she hoped he'd have good news to share. Then his expression turned grave as he addressed the little boy. "Joey, I'm afraid your mommy can't come here to see you." The officer's words were gentle, but they stabbed Maggie like a knife.

Tears blurred her vision, and she held the boy closer.

"Does her tummy hurt too?" Joey asked.

"No, sweetie," Maggie said, brushing her lips against his forehead. "Your mommy went to heaven to be with Jesus."

Joey frowned. "Without me?"

Dear Lord, why was this so hard? She hated every minute of giving this innocent little boy bad news but forced herself to continue. Officer Thomas had started this; it was up to her to help. "Your mommy didn't have a choice, sweetie. She died and went to heaven. I know she didn't want to leave you—" Her voice broke, and she couldn't finish.

"Yes, we know your mommy loved you very much," Officer Thomas said, picking up the discussion. "But as, er, Maggie said, she died and went to heaven. So now we're trying to find your daddy. I need your help with that, Joey. Do you know your daddy's name? Anything about him? Does he have a job? Does he live here or somewhere else?"

From Officer Thomas's questions, it was clear he had not found any close family members to step up and take care of the little boy. The knot in her stomach tightened, knowing this child might very well be all alone in the world.

Joey shook his head and then began to sob. "I want my mommy! I want my mommy!"

He repeated the phrase between jagged sobs as Maggie cried right along with him.