Chapter 11 - The Appointment That Wasn't Ours
On Monday morning, after a weekend of checking the locks and holding Elsie close, I called the pediatrician's office. They confirmed someone had requested a records discussion at nine, saying she was an authorized caregiver. I told them there was no such authorization from Elsie's parents and asked that the file be flagged. The receptionist said the physician would speak only with us about Elsie's care and that staff would document the call.
At eight forty-five, I walked into the waiting room with Sofia. Mara stayed home with Elsie and Dana. We weren't bringing our daughter near a woman who had just hurt her mother.
Mom arrived carrying an empty infant car seat.
She stopped when she saw me. Then she put on the soft expression she used at funerals and school concerts, the one that made people trust her before she spoke.
"Adam, honey. You don't need to do this in public."
"Why is that car seat here?"
"I'm making sure Elsie has what she needs."
The office manager came out and asked if we wanted to speak in a private room. Mom began waving the guardianship form. She said Mara was too unstable to come in and that I had given permission for her to handle the baby.
"I did not," I said.
The manager looked at the paper, then at me. "For medical records, we follow our verified authorization process. We cannot release an infant to someone just because they bring a form to the desk."
Mom's smile crumbled.
"You think a mother would do this to her own son for no reason?" she asked the room.
"I watched you do it," I said.
For half a second there was nothing between us but truth. Then Mom turned toward the door. She passed so close that I could smell the lavender hand cream she'd used all my life.
"She will ruin your life," she whispered. "She already has."
Ray Geller waited outside in an idling car, filming. He lowered his phone when Sofia saw him.
Sofia crossed to the curb while I stayed by the office door. She gave him her card and told him the family was preserving records connected to a police report. Ray looked from her to Mom, then turned away without answering.
May you like
Five minutes later Sofia's phone rang. Ray was calling.
"I was hired to make a mother look dangerous," he said. "But now I think I was working for the dangerous one."
