Chapter 3 - The Hospital Call
For months, Laurel had been getting weaker.
She blamed long shifts at the neighborhood bakery where she worked. Then she blamed stress.
Eventually, after nearly collapsing at work, she went to the hospital.
The doctors told her she needed treatment and would likely remain there for some time.
Piper understood only part of what the adults discussed.
But she understood the frightening part.
Her mother couldn’t come home.
And there was nobody available to take both children.
A caseworker explained that Piper and Wren might need temporary care.
Possibly in different homes.
Piper immediately wrapped her arms around her little sister.
“No. We’re staying together.”
“We’re doing everything we can,” the caseworker assured her.
But Piper heard uncertainty.
That evening she sat beside Laurel’s hospital bed.
“Call my dad.”
Laurel shook her head.
“Not now.”
“Why?”
Laurel looked toward the window.
“Because he’s getting married tomorrow.”
Piper stared at her.
That night, she searched Graham’s name on a hospital computer.
The wedding location wasn’t difficult to find.
Neither was the time.
The following morning, Laurel’s condition worsened and nurses asked the girls to wait outside while doctors worked.
Piper heard another conversation about temporary placement.
She panicked.
She took Wren’s backpack.
May you like
Then she took the old photograph and the letter Laurel had finally written to Graham.
With twenty-nine dollars in her pocket, Piper left the hospital with her sister.
