I did not have an easy relationship with my mother, and I wasn’t sure how to make it better. But with the close proximity, I guess I had a chance to figure it out. Starting with these bacon-wrapped scallops that we were all about to make for the party.
“My mom wants to introduce me to someone,” I confessed. “She’s excited about it. But I’m just—not ready yet. I told her that.” But I had this awful feeling that she hadn’t listened. And if he was going to be at this party tonight, it would only underscore our communication problems.
“Good for you for telling her,” Mia said, rinsing the scallops while the bacon par-cooked in the oven for a few minutes. “It’s the first step toward figuring out what you really want.”
Sam, unlike Mia, minced no words. “That means not what Tyler wants. Not what your mom wants. And not what yourpartners want.” She tapped the island emphatically. “WhatAni Greenwants.”
“Right.” Frankly, I had no idea exactly what I wanted. Peace of mind? To not be talked about by everyone in town because I’d canceled my wedding? To forgive myself for my past mistakes? To figure out why I made them in the first place? To settle in and belong somewhere, and be content with who I was? Yes, on all those. Especially the last.
“And in the meantime,” Mia said, “do what you always do. Do what made you Resident of the Year.”
“Work like a dog?” I cracked a smile. She was referring to an award I’d received during my final year of residency. I had great test scores on my boards and was also recognized as caring passionately for my patients. At least that was life-affirming.
“Exactly,” Mia said. “Well, not exactly, about the working like a dog part. Give it your all like you always do, and things will work out.”
“You’ve been through a lot, and you’re just starting out again,” Sam added. “Give the dust a chance to settle, be firm, and set limits.”
“Yes, see where the dust settles.” Mia made sprinkling motions with her hands. Or maybe she was doing itsy bitsy spider, I didn’t know.
“Thanks for the pep talk,” I said. My friends loved me regardless of whether I made terrible decisions or good ones. They believed even more than I did that I would ultimately figure everything out. I had hope because they’d each found their forever person. Maybe someday I would too—if I ever wanted to actually date again.
On the counter, Sam lined up more baking sheets. We were ready to wrap and roll as soon as the bacon came out of the oven. I opened the door for a quick dog check. Arnold was helping till the garden, except that he was creating a hole the size ofa volcanic crater. Plus, his paws had gone from wet to flat-out muddy. As soon as I called his name, he froze and tossed me a guilty-as-charged look.
“No digging,” I called, knowing he would go right back to business as soon as I closed the door.
While I gave him a minute, I grabbed some old towels from the laundry room to wipe him off. Then I scooped out the organic breakfast that Mrs. McClellan kept in a bag in the fridge. I was ready to call him in when Sam said, “We heard about the baby. Everyone’s talking about it.”
I nodded solemnly as I refilled Arnold’s water. “The baby’s mom is so young. She drove herself to the ER. Alone.”
For the millionth time, I wished I could do something to help. Somethingmore. But what? I understood not to get too caught up in the heartrending difficulties people experienced daily—everyone in the medical field that I knew cared deeply for all our patients’ difficulties, but we also had to do our jobs. This somehow felt different, more heartrending because of the teen mom whose life was forever altered in ways I couldn’t fathom and the innocent little baby who slept peacefully away, completely unaware that the entire course of her future hung precariously in the balance.
“She handed me the baby.” I got a little shaky as I recounted what had happened. “And asked me to take care of her. She made me promise that the baby would go to a good family. It was a little shocking. I’m still unnerved about it. And how on earth did a sixteen-year-old know about Safe Haven?”
“Did you?” Sam narrowed her eyes. “Did you promise?”
“Of course I did!” I said. “I couldn’t not. She was pleading with me.” I rubbed my forehead, still upset about this young person having to face such stark reality, such hard decisions—all by herself.
“She was worried about her baby,” I said, still upset. My friends stared at me. “The mom wanted her to go to someone who could give her everything.” My voice cracked. “She asked me for one thing, and it wasn’t even for herself.” Which was pretty incredible for anyone, let alone a sixteen-year-old.
Mia grabbed my hand. “You did the right thing. You can oversee the social work consult and the Children’s Services placement.”
I nodded. Of course I would.
Mia took a swig of coffee and caught Sam’s gaze. Something passed between them.
“What?” I asked. “What is it?” It wasn’t like them to withhold info, but the fact that they knew something they were hesitating to share made my heart drop.
Mia sighed. “The mom left against medical advice.”
I sat up fast and clumsily knocked my coffee, sloshing some over the top. “When?”
“In the middle of the night. Pulled out her IV and took off. Apparently, she registered with a fake name, so they don’t even know who she is or where she’s from.”
“Not that it would matter,” Sam pointed out. “She didn’t do anything wrong.”
But she’d told me her name.Crystal.“No. She did everything right. She got herself to the hospital, and she followed the correct procedure. I have so many questions. And I want to know that she’s okay.” But it was too late. She was apparently gone for good.
“Thank God she gave birth in the hospital,” Mia said. “Sometimes young women are afraid and risk their lives by giving birth alone someplace.”
