Page 8 of Cash
“Every new doctor we see, I bring up the same concerns.They run basic tests, say her calcium levels are fine, blame it on childhood clumsiness or suggest I’m overreacting.”I gestured to the stack of papers.“Meanwhile, the bills keep coming.I’ve researched online.There are conditions that cause exactly what Lily experiences, but getting someone to listen, to order the right tests…” I trailed off, the familiar frustration rising in my chest.“I’m not a medical person.And I know Dr.Google isn’t the way to diagnose, but I can’t get anyone to listen.”Tears threatened as frustration built inside me.
“And now they think you’re hurting her,” Lana finished for me.
“Yes.”The word came out as barely more than a whisper.“I’ll be honest with you.At this point, I feel like I’m going crazy.I didn’t intentionally hurt my daughter.Yes, I grabbed her when she fell, but I intended to protect her.”
Lana crossed her legs and sat back more comfortably in her chair.“Tell me about the social worker’s visit today.”
I recounted the confrontation with Ms.Winters.As I spoke, Lana continued to give me her complete attention.Instead of taking notes or something, she really paid attention to what I said.Even if I could lie worth a damn, I knew I’d never be able to fool this woman.She especially hadn’t liked I’d been told to leave Lily alone to conference with her doctor.
“Then Cash came in?”she asked.
“Yes.He’d been here before, when Lily was alone.He sang to her.He didn’t have to.Most people wouldn’t bother with someone else’s crying child.Not to mention he probably risked his parole being revoked.”
Lana smiled, the expression softening her professional demeanor.“Cash has always had a soft spot for kids in trouble, though he’d deny it if you mentioned it.”
I nodded, suddenly overwhelmed by the day’s events.“Ms.Thompson, I --”
“Lana,” she corrected again gently.
“Lana.I appreciate you coming, but I don’t understand what you can do.The system is already in motion.Ms.Winters is filing her report.They could take Lily away while they investigate, or, at the very least, keep me away from her while she’s here.”
“They could try,” Lana said, and something in her tone made me look up sharply.There was steel beneath her polished exterior.“But they’d have to get through me first.And trust me, I’m a lot harder to move than I look.”
For the first time since the social worker had walked into Lily’s room, I let myself breathe.Maybe, I finally had someone on my side.
I watched as Lana opened her sleek leather portfolio, the material gleaming softly under the lights.She angled her body toward me, speaking in a low voice.“I have connections at Vanderbilt University Hospital,” she began, flipping through documents in her portfolio.“I’ve already got calls in to a couple of people who can find the best doctor to evaluate Lily.Whoever I request will want to examine Lily and question you both.I will not let them separate you, but he will likely want to hear about her accidents in her own words.Don’t think it’s because anyone doubts you.I’m not going to let anyone try to trap you or trick you.I am firmly on your side.OK?”
My breath caught in my throat.“Vanderbilt?”I whispered.“I tried to get a referral there last year, but our insurance denied it.Said it wasn’t medically necessary.”I looked at the stack of papers I’d given her earlier.“I’ve got the written denials at home.”
Lana’s lips pressed into a thin line.“Denials for uncommon tests aren’t uncommon.The system is designed to make you give up before you get answers.”I started to say I couldn’t pay out of pocket, she held up her hand.“Don’t worry about the cost.It’s all been taken care of.”
“But why?”I asked, needing to understand before I let hope take root.“Why would you do this for us?”
Lana’s gaze was steady, unblinking.“Because someone should have done it already.”She reached into her purse and withdrew two business cards.Taking a pen from her portfolio, she wrote numbers on the backs of both cards before sliding them across the bedside table.“This one is mine,” she said, tapping the first card.“My direct line is on the back.I answer day or night.”She tapped the second card.“This is Cash’s.I’ve written his cell number here.”I stared at the cards, wondering how something so small could feel so significant.“Call him first in emergencies,” Lana continued, her voice matter of fact.“He can get anywhere in this city faster than I can.”
I picked up the cards reverently, aware they represented physical evidence someone believed me and was willing to fight alongside me.
“Tomorrow morning, I’ll file a formal response to Ms.Winters’ report,” Lana explained.“I’ll request a medical continuance on any decisions regarding custody or placement until Lily can be properly evaluated.I have enough pull with the judge assigned to family services cases, I’m reasonably sure I can make this happen.”
“And if they try to take her before then?”The question haunting me since the social worker left slipped out before I could stop it.
Lana’s expression hardened slightly.“They won’t.I’ll make sure.But if someone tries to put you out of here for any reason, you call Cash, then you call me.”
The confidence in her voice was compelling, but doubt still gnawed at me.“How can you be so sure?”
“Because I know how to fight the system on its terms,” she replied.“And because I have resources most people don’t.”She hesitated, then added, “Which brings me to something else we should discuss.Have you heard of Haven?It’s officially called New Beginnings Women’s Shelter.”
I shook my head.“Cash mentioned the name, but didn’t go into details.”
“It’s a women’s shelter on the edge of town, protected by the same club Cash belongs to.”
“A motorcycle club,” I repeated, unable to keep the wariness from my voice.The news had run plenty of stories about outlaw bikers, none of them good.But honestly, this was the most compassion I’d been shown through this whole ordeal.
“I understand your hesitation,” Lana said.“But Haven is a legitimate shelter with trained staff.The club provides security and financial support.It’s a safe place for women and children who need protection.”
“And you think we need protection?”I glanced at Lily, the implications settling heavily on my shoulders.
“I think you need support,” Lana corrected gently.“Medical, legal, and emotional.Haven can provide all three.Plus, if things escalate with Ms.Winters and her department, having a secure place to stay might become important.”
