Page 22 of Fractured Reunion

“Maybe.” She scowled. “Although I have to believe his mother kept him away from the guy for a reason.”

He nodded and pulled out his phone. It was early, but Alec was likely up. He had a seven-year-old daughter named Shannon, and his wife, Jillian, was pregnant again, after suffering a miscarriage. Jillian was fourteen weeks along now, and everyone was praying she would carry this baby to term.

“Hey, Aaron, what’s up?” His brother’s voice sounded cheerful.

“I need a favor.” He turned from the doorway so he wouldn’t disturb Joey’s sleep. “Remember the work you did last Christmas in finding Joy’s mother?”

“Yeah, of course,” Alec said. “Do you have an abandoned baby at the hospital again?”

“A little boy has lost his mother in a bus crash,” he said. “Joey Johnson is about four years old, and we just got a glimpse of his biological father, Oliver Chism. We’re not impressed.”

“We?” Alec asked. “Are you working with one of the social workers on the unit?”

“Maggie is in town; we both responded to the bus crash,” he said. “She’s been with Joey since it happened. He had emergency surgery yesterday and is currently an inpatient here at Children’s Memorial.”

“Okay.” Alec drew the word out. “I’m surprised to hear Maggie is in town, but I’m happy to look into this Oliver Chism character.”

“Thanks, Alec. Do you know an Officer Thomas? He was the one who found Oliver Chism listed on Joey’s birth certificate.”

“Doesn’t ring a bell,” Alec said. “But I can reach out to him.”

He figured it couldn’t hurt. “That would be great. Thanks so much. We’re really worried about this little boy. He’s still struggling with his mother’s death.”

“I can imagine,” Alec murmured. “I’ll do my best. I don’t suppose you have a middle initial or date of birth for this guy?”

“No. His age is hard to gauge, but I’m assuming midtwenties? He looks older, and I wouldn’t rule out drug or alcohol abuse.”

“Got it. I’ll see what I can come up with.” Alec paused for a moment, then added, “Is Maggie sticking around for a while?”

He turned to look at his ex-wife, snuggled on the hospital bed with Joey as they watched an animated movie. He knew what Alec was really asking. “We’re not getting back together or anything, we just want to make sure Joey gets the care he needs.”

“Okay.” Thankfully, his brother didn’t push the issue. “I’ll be in touch.”

“Thanks.” He was about to shove the phone in his pocket when it vibrated with a text message from Jamal.

Grace is being discharged from PACU.

That was his cue to get back to work. For now, he’d done everything he could to help Maggie and Joey.

He could only pray his brother came through for them.

* * *

Maggie had felt oddly bereft when Aaron gave her a nod and walked away. No doubt he needed to follow up on his tiny patient.

As much as she appreciated his calling his brother Alec, she doubted there was much that could be done. Oliver Chism would be considered a suitable custodian for Joey.

Or he wouldn’t.

She had been granted a bit of a reprieve but suspected it wouldn’t be long until she was forced to introduce the child to his father.

The breakfast she’d shared with Aaron churned in her stomach. But she did her best to stay positive. Joey seemed to be feeling a little better, but when he began to whine, she called the nurse for more pain medication.

The good news was that the little boy was lasting a bit longer between doses. She knew that after the first twenty-four hours, Kyle would likely cut back on the prescribed dose.

And Joey would need to start moving around more too.

“I have’ta go to the bathroom,” Joey said.

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