Page 10 of Believe
“Nurse Hattie is strict,” said Madeline.
“She’s supposed to be strict,” smiled Gibbie. “We work with the Robicheaux Foundation.”
“That makes sense,” she nodded. “Claudette called and said some guys were coming up to lend a hand. Our playroom is seriously lacking any form of play in it. We hired a contractor to fix it up and he did a half-a—um, half way job and took the money and left. We could use some help.”
“Well, why don’t you show us the playroom and our friend Code there can have some ice cream with Madeline?”
“I think that’s fair,” she smiled looking down at the little girl. “Not too much, Madeline. You know what it will do to you if you eat too much.”
“I know. I know,” she frowned.
“Alright beautiful, where do we find this ice cream?” asked Code, taking the handle of the wagon in his big hand.
“It’s around the corner.”
“Do you want to walk or should we use your fancy wheels?” he smiled.
“I can’t walk,” she said. “My legs don’t work well anymore.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“It’s a tumor and it’s right on my spine. If they operate, I’ll probably die. If they don’t operate, I’ll probably die.” She shrugged her shoulders and Code suddenly lost the ability to speak. Thank goodness Stone was right behind them.
“Who told you that?” asked Stone.
“The doctor. I live with my aunt and uncle and they don’t have any health insurance. The surgery is super-duper expensive and not available here. Plus they can’t afford it. It makes Aunt Maribeth cry a lot.”
“I see,” said Stone. “Well, I have a friend who is an amazing surgeon and specialized in kid’s cancers. I think I’m going to give her a call.”
“Up to you,” said the child. “It won’t matter. I’m okay with all of this. I just want Aunt Maribeth and Uncle Geoff to stop crying so much. They try to hide it but I see it all the time. They’re the best parents I could ever get for free. I feel bad for them. They couldn’t have babies and when they took me on they thought it was going to be awesome. I’m not very awesome.”
“I think you’re the awesomest,” smirked Code. “Where are you parents?”
“I never knew my mom. My dad tried but Uncle Geoff said he loved the drugs more than he loved me. I don’t think I was supposed to hear that but I did. I wasn’t listening to their conversation. Not really,” she said nibbling on her lower lip.
“I’m sure that’s not true. You seem very loveable to me,” said Code. “Drugs make people sick sometimes and they say and do things they don’t mean to do. I’m going to bet your dad was one of those people.”
“You don’t have to tell me. All of the drugs make me sick,” she said shaking her head.
Code stopped the wagon in front of the makeshift ice-cream cart and ordered a cup of vanilla with light chocolate sauce on it. He handed it to the little girl and she took small bites, careful not to eat too quickly.
“If you go down that hall you’ll see your friends in our playroom,” she said pointing. They pulled the wagon toward the room and walked in to see the most depressing children’s playroom in the history of playrooms.
“Who paints a playroom gray?” frowned Stone.
“That’s what we said,” said the rest of the men in unison.
“The contractor scammed us,” said the nurse. “Came in and kept the door covered, so none of us saw it until they were gone. They took the television, took most of the toys and painted it this God-awful gray. Like these kids don’t have enough gray in their lives.”
“What color would you like it to be?” asked Rory.
“A rainbow!” said Madeline. Rory laughed at the little girl’s response and he nodded.
“Then a rainbow it is. Maybe we’ll make some clouds, a few birds, trees and flowers. How does that sound?”
“Perfect,” she said leaning back in the wagon.
“Okay, kiddo. Time to get back to your room,” said the nurse.