Page 12 of Fractured Reunion

“His vitals are not good,” Rachel admitted. “He’s running a fever, and his blood pressure has dropped. He’s running tachycardic, too, likely because of the fever.”

“Let me borrow your stethoscope,” Kyle said to Rachel. When she handed it over, Kyle bent over Joey to listen to his heart and lungs. When he finished, Kyle handed the stethoscope back and addressed Aaron. “Have we gotten in touch with his parent or guardian?”

“No,” Maggie said. “The police and I questioned Joey. He says he doesn’t have a father or aunts and uncles.” She glanced at Aaron. “It sounds like the hospital administrators have reached out to legal counsel, but it may be too late in the day to get an emergency guardian hearing in front of a judge.”

“I tried,” Aaron said. “They were sympathetic but determined to go through proper channels.”

Kyle blew out an exasperated sigh. “His condition is growing tenuous. But I cannot honestly say he’s on the verge of dying.”

“Hospital policy considers a procedure emergent if there is a high likelihood of loss of life or limb within twenty-four hours,” Aaron said. “Do you really think Joey’s condition will improve?”

“I didn’t say that,” Kyle argued, his tone testy. Then he sighed again. “Okay, okay. I can’t be responsible for risking this child’s life. I’ll document that the procedure is emergent, and we’ll get him ready to go to the OR.”

“Thank you,” Maggie said. “I know you’re in a difficult position, but I appreciate your willingness to take the risk.”

“Yeah, well, better to risk getting yelled at or sued rather than losing a child’s life,” Kyle muttered. He turned toward Rachel. “I need you to place an IV and start maintenance fluids. I’ll write the orders,” he added when she looked as if she might argue.

“Of course.” Rachel hurried off to gather the supplies, leaving Kyle to enter the orders into the computer.

“What can I do to help?” Aaron asked. “Would you like me to call up to the OR?”

“Yeah, sure. Let them know the three o’clock patient is going forward as scheduled,” Kyle said as he typed on the keyboard. “I had him listed as tentative, pending the outcome of his scans.”

Maggie knew the scan itself wasn’t the reason they were moving forward with the procedure, but rather the abrupt change in Joey’s condition. Sepsis, which is caused by an infection that enters the blood stream, could be deadly.

And the problem with kids was that they tended to compensate for their illness but then abruptly crash.

She couldn’t bear for that to happen with Joey.

Aaron stepped to the side to make his calls to the OR while Rachel and Kyle discussed treatment options for Joey. She was glad to hear Kyle wanted the child to get his first dose of antibiotics prior to the procedure.

“I’ll put a rush on that,” Rachel said.

“Thanks.” Kyle glanced at her. “I’m sorry, I don’t think we’ve met.”

“Dr. Maggie Dall, anesthesiologist.” She shook his hand.

“Nice to meet you,” Kyle said with a tired smile. “If you don’t mind my asking, if you’re not Joey’s guardian, why are you here?”

She flushed. “I responded to the bus accident with Aaron. I…we…” She faltered, then said, “We used to be married. Anyway, Joey latched onto me in the bus, so I’ve stayed with him.”

Kyle’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, but he didn’t have time to respond as Aaron stepped forward. “Everything is all set. The OR team is getting room eight ready for Joey’s emergency abdominal exploration procedure.”

“Great.” Kyle checked his watch. “As soon as the IV is placed and the antibiotics are infusing, we can move.”

Rachel returned with the supplies. Maggie was impressed she had gotten the antibiotics rushed up from the pharmacy. She held Joey as Rachel started the IV; his crying made her heart hurt.

“There now, the poke is over,” she said, as Rachel secured the IV in place. “You’ll feel better soon.”

“I want my mommy,” Joey said between sniffles.

“I know you do.” She kept him close to her side. “Don’t worry, I’ll stay with you.”

He nodded, resting his head against her chest. His little body was warm to the touch, radiating heat. She glanced over to see Kyle and Aaron talking in low voices.

“Okay, we’ll head up to the OR now,” Kyle finally said, after they were finished. “Maggie, do you want to walk along with us?”

“Yes.” She tried to slip away from Joey, but he clung to her much the way he had on the bus, as if he were deathly afraid to let her go. “Actually, I’ll carry him.”

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