I just shrugged. I had long given up on trying to rationalize the things that go on in Calista’s life. I can’t explain why Calista wound up in a California hospital. And I can’t explain why she would leave my niece alone in New York, for an indefinite period of time, with a nanny that she couldn’t even trust to stay with her daughter.
“I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do,” I admitted. “Hell, I’ve never even been around kids before… I have no idea how I’m going to look after one. But CPS made one thing very clear. If I don’t take care of my niece, she’ll go straight into foster care.”
Daisy’s face bunched up into a frown, and then she suddenly reached for the phone.
“Wait, what are you doing?”
“Calling CPS,” she said, punching a number into the phone as she propped the receiver between her ear and shoulder. “Technically they should have contacted the school directly if there has been a change in custody, but sometimes in emergencies--”
She stopped speaking suddenly, which I took as an indication that somebody on the other end of the phone has answered. I strained my ears, trying to hear the sound from the other end of the phone, but I couldn’t.
And then, without saying a word, Daisy slammed the phone down.
“Voicemail,” she explained. “I’ll try again in a few minutes.”
I glanced at the watch on my wrist, wondering how much time has already ticked by, and wondering what my niece was doing. The entire school must be dismissed by now. I imagined Emmy sitting on the school steps alone, the only student left, waiting for someone to come and claim her and instantly I felt a wave of emptiness as I was reminded of the countless times I found myself in that same position as a child. The countless times my parents failed to turn up at my boarding school for weekend visits or holidays.
“We can’t sit here all night,” I said. “Please… Emmy probably has enough going through her head, without having to sit up there and wonder why everyone in her life has abandoned her.”
Daisy glanced up at me, caught off guard. Her eyes scanned my face, and tried to find meaning in what I’ve just said.
“Well I can’t send Emmy home with a stranger, either,” Daisy countered, though her voice was uncertain. “I don’t even know your name.”
“Caleb,” I said. “Caleb Preston.”
“Mr. Preston,” she said firmly, but her voice wasn’t as rigid as it was before it softened, filling with compassion. “The school has policies and procedures in place for things like this… strict policies and procedures that are in place for the safety our students…”
“What about their wellbeing?” I argued. “Right now, my niece is alone and afraid what about that? I know I’m not the best choice but I’m doing the best that I can. Right now, my niece has nobody… nobody but me. I’m not going to give up on her now. I can’t.”
Daisy studied my thoughtfully, her eyes moving up and down, but I couldn’t read the expression on her face. I couldn’t tell what she’s thinking.
Finally, she spoke up.
“That’s not true, you know,” she said, her voice was softer than it has been. “Emmy has me, too.”
4
DAISY
“Wait,” I said, blinking up at the giant skyscraper, taking in the mix of chrome beams and glass panels that comprise the high-rise. “This is where you live?” I asked, glancing over at Caleb.
The Camden towered above us, glowing a mysterious shade of blue against the twilight sky, and for some reason just standing on the cement sidewalk in front of the building made my heart race.
I promised Caleb Preston that we would figure this situation out. That we would find a way to make things work, for Emmy’s sake.
When I made that promise, I had no idea that I would wind up standing in front of The Camden. Unfortunately, after several unreturned calls to CPS, that’s exactly where I ended up. Caleb reasoned that we shouldn’t keep Emmy waiting at the school all night. I firmly reminded him that I couldn’t let her go until CPS had verified his story.
He had seemed almost too eager to propose a compromise. That I go home with them, as a ‘chaperone’ of sorts. I knew it was bending the rules, but I also knew that it made sense. Every minute we spent at the school, I could see the confusion and concern growing on Emmy’s face.
“Have you been here before?” Caleb asked over his shoulder, eyeing me curiously.
“No,” I admit. “I’ve just… heard stories.”
Ok, maybe not ‘stories.’ But I have heard from Raven that the building was basically full of billionaire bachelors, and things have been known to get a little wild behind closed doors.
“Well you shouldn’t judge anything until you’ve tried it for yourself,” Caleb said, and he gave me a quick wink before turning back towards the building.
My stomach did a somersault, and I forced myself to take a deep, measured breath.