Page 42 of Fractured Reunion

“We can watch the movie later,” she reiterated, ignoring his mulish expression. “Don’t argue with me, Joey. We need to speak with Ms. Douglas now.”

“Actually, Dr. Dall, if you don’t mind, I’d like to speak with Joey alone,” the caseworker said.

She hadn’t expected that but realized she should have. “Oh, yes. I understand. I’ll run and get something to eat.”

“Great.” Ms. Douglas turned to Joey. “My name is Francis. I’d like to ask you a few questions.”

“Okay.” Now Joey looked nervous, glancing toward Maggie as if for reassurance.

She smiled and nodded. “Go ahead, Joey. You’re not in any trouble. Be honest when you’re speaking with Ms. Douglas, okay? Everything will work out just fine. I’ll be back in a little while.” It took every ounce of willpower Maggie had to turn and leave the room.

In the hallway, she hesitated, tempted to linger outside the room and listen in. Then she realized she was being foolish. She didn’t have anything to fear from Joey speaking with the caseworker.

But she was concerned about the little boy having to relive those moments he lost his mother in the bus crash. What if he started crying again?

Maybe she wasn’t giving Francis Douglas enough credit. Her job was to deal with traumatized kids. She would be gentle with Joey.

Her stomach chose that moment to rumble with hunger, making her realize crackers weren’t going to cut it. She needed real food. Preferably something with protein. She turned and headed back toward the bank of elevators. It wouldn’t take long to grab something to eat, the way she’d intended to do earlier.

Before she’d gotten sidetracked by Aaron.

She’d been surprised when he’d asked her to lunch. He’d almost looked as if he’d missed her as much as she missed him.

But that didn’t mean they could pick up the fractured pieces of their marriage, putting them back together again.

Yet she was a little surprised how much she wanted to.

Enough. She strode into the cafeteria, heading to the breakfast offerings. She decided to pick up a breakfast sandwich like she had yesterday. It was fast and easy, compared to waiting in line for an omelet.

As she left the cafeteria, she paused when she saw Aaron standing off to the side speaking with another staff member. Aaron was scowling, as if he was not happy with how the conversation was going. He was so focused on the discussion he didn’t see her.

“You’re going to regret this.” The man speaking harshly had his back to Maggie, so she couldn’t see his face. But she could see the back of his neck was bright red with anger or embarrassment.

Maybe both.

“You brought this on yourself, Dale. I had to cover your call this weekend, remember?” Aaron’s voice was reasonable, but there was no mistaking the anger in his eyes. “Walk away before I have to take more action against you.”

“Oh, you’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Dale sneered.

“No, actually, I wouldn’t,” Aaron said, looking tired. “Walk. Away. Now.”

Maggie had stopped in the middle of the hall, half afraid she’d have to break up an altercation between them.

Thankfully, Dale must have realized they had an audience. He abruptly turned, shot her a look of pure venom, and stalked off.

Aaron hung his head for a moment, then seemed to notice her. “Hey. Glad you decided to get something to eat.”

She glanced at her almost forgotten sandwich, then shrugged. “Yes, the caseworker from CPS is upstairs with Joey. She wanted to speak to him alone, without me.”

Aaron frowned. “Is that normal?”

“No clue.” She gestured to the man stalking down the hall in the opposite direction. “Who was that guy? Why is he so angry with you?”

“Dale Fullerton, and he’s ticked because I forced the issue of his not answering calls and pages on the weekends.” He came closer. “What do you think the caseworker is asking Joey? Will she make a decision today regarding temporary foster placement?”

“I imagine she has to decide that since it looks to me like Joey is stable enough for discharge.” She was a little surprised by the concern on Aaron’s features. He clearly cared about Joey’s future as much as she did.

Again, she couldn’t help feeling as if she’d treated him badly. As if she were just as responsible for the breakup of their marriage as she’d believed him to be. Sure, she’d thought she was being noble by leaving so he could have the family he deserved, but maybe she’d been fooling herself.

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