A break in traffic finally came, but her conscience wouldn’t let her take the opportunity. She glanced at the time on her radio, then dialed Wyatt. He didn’t answer so she left a message, then texted him with the same message.
A flurry of frustration riled up inside her, but she couldn’t just disregard the information that Belle was hurt, so she called the school to see what arrangements could be made.
“Whispering Oaks Elementary School, Deanna speaking.”
“Hi, Deanna, this is Gypsy Wright.” She spoke quickly, getting everything out to hurry the conversation along. “I got your message, but I don’t know why I’m listed as Belle’s emergency contact. I’m just a friend.”
“Thank you for calling back.” The woman was compassionate and direct. “I wouldn’t have called you, but I’ve been calling Belle’s grandparents and uncle for over an hour and haven’t been able to get ahold of anyone.”
“Her grandparents are on a cruise, but Wyatt should be available. I don’t know why he’s not answering, but I’m on my way somewhere important with my son.”
“Oh.” She sounded both disappointed and worried. “Normally, we would just keep her comfortable, but,” she lowered her voice, “I’m pretty sure her wrist is broken. We don’t have approval to give her any medication, and she’s in a lot of pain. The ice isn’t helping much. She really does need to be seen in the ER, and at this point, you are the only authorized person available to take her.”
Gypsy slammed her eyes shut. This can’t be happening.
“Is there any way I can—”
The sound of a little girl’s whimpering cries in the background cut off Gypsy’s words. All hope of putting off Belle’s needs until Cooper’s had been fulfilled vanished.
She pressed her elbow to the window ledge and her fingers to her closed eyelids. “I’m on my way.”
Gypsy made her way into the flow of traffic and raced to Belle’s school. It was on the way to Cooper’s doctor’s office, so she held out hope she could calm Belle down enough to get through Cooper’s appointment.
She parked in a no-parking zone, unfastened Cooper from his car seat, and pulled him along by the hand. Children seemed to move so slowly in these circumstances.
Inside the office, she showed her driver’s license and was led down a hall and into the nurse’s office. As she passed through the door, she glanced at her watch. Even if she grabbed Belle and left, she’d be seriously pushing the fifteen-minute limit Cooper’s doctor’s office had given her.
When she looked up, she saw Belle sitting in the lap of a middle-aged woman with a kind smile. The little girl’s face was splotched red and wet from crying, and her little chest heaved in irregular breaths.
The sight and sound unexpectedly shot Gypsy back in time like a rocket. To a day when something similar had happened to Gypsy as a kid. Maybe an accident during a dodge ball game? She couldn’t quite remember. But she knew exactly how it felt to cry until you couldn’t breathe right. Knew exactly how it felt to wait in the cold office of the school nurse, in pain, wondering when your mother would come.
And she was no doctor, but if Cooper’s arm looked like Belle’s did now, Gypsy would be utterly panicked. The nurse had put her forearm and wrist in what looked like a splint, held close to Belle’s body by a sling. Still, the swelling and bruising tore at Gypsy’s heart.
She bent and brushed at the tear streaks on Belle’s pretty face. A face that reminded Gypsy of the uncle who wasn’t here. “Hey, sweetheart. I’m so sorry you hurt yourself.”
“W-where’s Uncle W-Wyatt?”
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Good question. Gypsy knew Wyatt wasn’t irresponsible, but there had been a time she’d thought Cooper’s father was a stand-up guy too.
“I’m not sure, sweetie,” Gypsy told her. “Did he tell you what he was doing today when he dropped you off this morning?”
Belle shook her head. “No. But Kailey’s mom was supposed to take me home.”
Gypsy looked at Deanna for some kind of clarification. “He did leave a note giving Mrs. Tucker permission to take Belle home today, but I couldn’t let her take Belle with this injury because she’s not on Belle’s emergency list.”
Gypsy would have to get to the bottom of this arrangement later. “Okay. I’m going to call him again, but let’s get you to the doctor, okay?”
Deanna eased Belle to the floor and steadied her with Belle’s good arm. “Keep your arm tucked close to your body, honey.”
Belle sniffled before offering a brave “Okay.”
“Belle has an owie, Mommy,” Cooper said, his eyes wide and concerned.
“She sure does.”
He took Belle by her good hand and gave her a compassionate and serious “We’re going to the doctor now, Belle. You’ll be okay.”