Episode 34

Eventually I had an idea. It wasn't the best idea but it could work. I waited for it to fully form before talking. I didn't want it to be shitty. "I may have something, guys. It's a long shot but- "

"Speak up!" they both shouted.

"Well, see, I have this other case. It's a young woman, a type 1 diabetic, and she wants someone to love her for who she truly is. Someone who won't leave her at the first sight of issues. I think Erwan would love her dearly. And she could take care of him. She's very caring and sweet and would take good care of our boy. And the parents would never find them."

Jo laughed. "Are you trying to solve all your cases in the same week? No but seriously, that's not such a bad idea."

Cecile looked impressed, and sipped their tea without comment. Their eyes were filled with something I couldn't recognize, but I felt positive about this. It could work.

With this, we started talking about other things and finally relaxing. We all needed this.

I called her the next morning. "Hey Laura what's up?" I had to make it fast, since Erwan would now be discharged pretty soon. And besides I'd be taken by all the preparations for Eileen's engagement ceremony. As fairy godmother to the future queen, I had to attend.

Laura seemed to be in a good mood. "I'm doing good today, I managed to get some sleep and the kidneys are chilling out. How are you?"

"I'm exhausted to tell you the truth, it's been a long 10 days. But that's not why I called. First I wanted news, and second I have a proposal for you that you might want to hear."

I heard a shout in the background. "Everything all right? Is this a bad time?"

"No no everything is fine! Just a small quarrel among friends, they're disagreeing on what to do and it escalated. You're calling at a perfect time, that way I don't have to engage in that conversation."

I laughed. "Okay then, want to hear what I have in store for you?"

She did.

"So hear me out. I have a case, he's a little boy of 9. His parents contracted us when he was a baby, but now they're divorcing and things got out of hand. Basically we're fired. But 2 days ago, the parents fought and the little guy got badly hurt. We can't leave him with them, see? So I thought maybe you could take him in. I know how badly you've always wanted a sibling-"

She didn't let me finish. "Oh Tina of course! Poor little one, I hope he's okay now."

I couldn't help but smile. She was the most caring person I'd ever met, of course she'd want to know how the kid was doing. Of course she'd agree to take him in, not thinking about the potential issues.

I had to warn her though. "Laura, this isn't a small thing I'm asking. Shit, if I could I'd have found another solution. The kid will need a lot of care and reassurance, not to mention the cost of having a child with you. This is more of a lifetime thing you see… You'd be his legal guardian, his tutor, basically his new mom."

"Right, yes. You have a point. I'll have to take all that into account. Can you give me a few days to get organized? Still though, that's wonderful and I'm really honored you thought of me."

My dark, cold heart melted. She would make such a great guardian for Erwan. He would be happy and safe with her.

I told her that for now he was in hospital anyway and she had time to think about all this. I also made sure she knew she could refuse. Which I knew she wouldn't do, but still. 

We spent a bit more time talking about her health and my work. I didn't tell her about the alcohol. She told me about her studies. She'd never talked about it before, but it seemed to preoccupy her. She wasn't sure what to do, and if she took Erwan in, she'd have to figure it out sooner rather than later.

"See, I wanted to work with people. Like, maybe with disabled people or the homeless. But I'm not sure I'm good enough or kind enough or that I'd be good for them."

Just like her to care about not caring enough. "Love, you've just proven you are more than all of that enough. Follow your passion, follow your dreams. You're good with people. Especially the broken ones. You'd be a great whatever it is you want to be."

There was a smile in her voice when she answered. "Thank you Tina. I'll keep thinking on this but I'll be aiming at helping people, for sure. Give me news of the boy?"

"Will do."

With that, we ended the conversation. I smiled to myself. I was so lucky to have been appointed this young woman to work with. She was truly extraordinary.

I emailed Jo to let her know we had a probable agreement, so she could work out the paperwork. Not my job.

Time to call Cecile to tell them too and get more informations about the coming ceremony. I found myself looking forward to that call. Weird. I strongly disliked phone calls, but I wanted to hear their voice. A long shot from our antipathy of a few days ago.

I couldn't afford to dwell on those thoughts. Shit I couldn't afford to want to talk to anyone. I was in enough trouble already.