Page 11 of Believe
“I’ll take her said Code.” When she was gone, Stone looked at the others and they knew.
“What’s the kids’ story? She said her father was an addict and left her in the care of her aunt and uncle.”
“That’s the story,” said the nurse. “It’s not pretty but that’s it. She never knew her mother. I suspect she was an addict as well. The little girl was left on the doorstep of the aunt and uncle’s home. Those people work two jobs each just trying to pay for the medications she needs. We’ve tried to get her financial assistance but you guys know how that works. Mounds of paperwork and in the end, they all say the same thing. For what?”
“For what? To make her more comfortable,” said Alec.
“She’s dying, Mr. Robicheaux. That tumor is growing by the minute and effecting everything to do with her little body.”
“How much time does she have left?” asked Rory.
“A month. Maybe,” said the nurse.
“Maybe not,” said Stone. “I called Riley and Jane. They’re on their way now.”
“Riley and Jane?” frowned the nurse.
“Both world class pediatric surgeons,” said Stone. “If anything can be done, they’re going to do it. If you’ll give me the name and number of the aunt and uncle, we’ll let them know that they don’t need to worry about her finances any longer. We’re taking care of that.”
“I should have called you guys before,” said the nurse shaking her head. “That little girl deserves a shot and our surgeon just wasn’t willing to take that shot. I would have sent her to St. Jude or something, but they said she wouldn’t survive the trip.”
“Well, if something can be done, Riley and Jane will know,” said Stone.
“Let’s get rolling on this,” said Tailor. “Alec and I will get the paint, you guys start buying up the toy section and find some good kids furniture. What else should we get?”
“Coloring books, crayons, any art supplies are always welcome. A new rug would be nice. A few more wagons like Madeline’s aid us in getting them around. A new television if you’re able,” she said shrugging. “We love watching videos in here when we can.”
“Done,” said Rory. “Let’s get this moving.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Rough day?” asked Gaspar staring at the men around dinner table.
“Yes. And no,” said Alec. “Riley and Jane are still at the hospital with the little girl we met. Madeline. There’s a tumor pressing against her spine that’s killing her.”
“Shit,” muttered Ghost pushing his plate away. “That’s no way for a kid to spend her life. What about the parents?”
“Gone,” said Tailor. “The aunt and uncle are both working two jobs just to afford the medications she’s on. The hospital bill was obscene. Over two-hundred thousand. We paid that from the foundation funds and put a change of address for any bills that might come.”
“Good job,” said Nine.
“What about the rest of you?” asked Ian.
They told him about their day and talked about the cases they’d found and were working. With most of the men helping Matthew with the toys, furniture, and other items, everyone was buzzing around like bees in a hive.
As Jane and Riley walked in the door, they held their breath.
“Well?” asked Code.
“It’s as bad as it could possibly be,” said Riley. “But. But we think we can help her. He didn’t want to operate on the tumor because he’s never done anything like it before. In fact, only one doctor has and he’s at St. Jude and agreed she wouldn’t survive the trip.”
“How are we going to get her here?” asked Max.
“Easy,” smiled Juan standing with a little girl in his arms.
“You can’t be serious! You just transported that kid across the parish?” frowned Gaspar.
“It was all we could do. The surgery room is being prepped, her aunt and uncle are waiting, and the entire medical team will be standing by. If we can get all of the tumor, we think the pond might, might, do the rest,” said Jane.