Page 29 of Cash
“Everything OK here?”Cash asked, his voice deliberately casual despite the tension evident in every line of his body.
“Fine,” I answered quickly, suddenly afraid of what might happen if these two men decided to mark their territory.“Ash is just visiting Lily.”
Cash nodded, his eyes never leaving Ash.“I can see that.”
Hannah moved between them, her small frame somehow managing to command attention from both much larger men.“Cash, why don’t you help me get some snacks from the kitchen for the kids?”
Though framed as a question, her tone made it clear this wasn’t a request.Cash hesitated, his gaze moving from Ash to Lily and finally resting on me.Whatever he saw in my expression made him relent.
“Sure,” he agreed.“I’ll be right back, Eliza.I promise.”
As Cash followed Hannah to the kitchen, Ash watched them go, his expression unreadable.Then his attention returned to Lily, who remained blissfully oblivious to the undercurrents flowing around her.I stood frozen between them all, suddenly certain my carefully constructed world was about to change again in ways I couldn’t control or predict.
* * *
Later that afternoon, I wiped flour from my hands onto a kitchen towel, trying to focus on the simple task of baking cookies with the other women.The afternoon sun streamed through Haven’s kitchen windows, casting warm light across the countertops covered in mixing bowls and measuring cups.Two hours had passed since Ash’s visit, and I had thrown myself into baking as a distraction from the complicated emotions his presence had stirred.Lily was happily playing in the courtyard with Brynn and some of the other children, visible through the window as they chased each other in a game of tag.My phone vibrated against the counter, screen lighting up with a number I recognized immediately.Department of Children’s Services.Ms.Winters.
My stomach dropped as I reached for the phone.The other women in the kitchen noticed my expression and quietly moved away, giving me privacy while remaining close enough to offer support if needed.
“Hello?”I answered, working to keep my voice steady.
“Ms.Jans, this is Ms.Winters from DCS.”Her voice carried a clipped tone that made me feel like I was guilty of something even when I knew I wasn’t.“I’m calling to follow up on our conversation from last week.”
“Yes, of course.”I turned toward the window, watching Lily as she carefully navigated the play area, mindful of her condition even in the excitement of the game.“I was going to call you tomorrow.We’ve started the medication regimen Dr.Brennan prescribed for the Osteogenesis Imperfecta.”
There was a pause on the line.“Yes.I received the preliminary report, but we’ll need more conclusive testing before making any determinations about closing this case.”
My fingers tightened around the phone.“Dr.Brennan said the bone density scan --”
“Dr.Brennan’s preliminary opinion is noted,” Ms.Winters interrupted, “but we require a more comprehensive evaluation before ruling out other factors.”
The clinical dismissal of Lily’s diagnosis sent heat rushing to my face.We’d waited so long for these answers, only to have Ms.Winters treat the diagnosis as inconclusive.
“What other factors?”I asked, struggling to maintain my composure.“The genetic testing is still pending, but Dr.Brennan was quite clear --”
“Ms.Jans,” she cut in again, her tone sharpening, “I understand you’re eager to resolve this matter, but my concern extends beyond medical explanations.I’ve become aware you’re still residing at this motorcycle club shelter rather than returning to your apartment.”
I closed my eyes briefly, fighting back the urge to snap.“New Beginnings Women’s Shelter is a registered nonprofit providing secure housing for women and children.Yes, it happens to be protected by the Kiss of Death MC, but it’s a legitimate shelter.”
“A shelter typically used for women fleeing domestic violence situations,” Ms.Winters pointed out.“Which is not your circumstance.Additionally, I understand Lily’s father is a member of this same club.”
My hand began to tremble.“Ash visited today to see Lily.He’s not living here.”
“Nevertheless, the environment raises concerns -- multiple known felons with gang affiliations having regular access to a child already at risk for injuries.”
“They’re not a gang,” I corrected automatically, anger flaring.“And no one here would ever hurt Lily.”
“Your judgment in this matter is precisely what’s under review, Ms.Jans.”Her voice cooled several degrees.“Choosing to surround your physically vulnerable daughter with ex-convicts rather than returning to conventional housing suggests questionable decision-making.”
“You have no say in who I deem appropriate for my child to interact with.I’ve done nothing wrong.The very reason you started investigating me to begin with has been proven incorrect.”
“Just because one situation might be resolved does not mean I have to ignore other issues.”
The kitchen suddenly felt too small, the air too thin.“Haven is the safest place for us right now.Lily has made friends.She’s happy here.And she has round-the-clock protection.”
“Protection from what, exactly?Or perhaps I should ask, from whom?”Ms.Winters’ implication hung between us.“Ms.Jans, I’ll be frank.Your continued residence in a questionable environment, combined with your developing connection to this motorcycle club, gives me serious concerns about Lily’s welfare.”
My free hand gripped the counter edge for support.“Lily is receiving excellent care.She has her medication.She’s happy.If it weren’t for these people, we still wouldn’t know what was wrong with her and she’d be getting her other shoulder dislocated when you grab her again!”I knew I shouldn’t snap at the woman, she likely wanted me to lose my cool, but this was so much horseshit.“What more do you want from me?”
