Chapter 4 - A Christmas Party Upstairs, Two Children Below
Caroline's annual Christmas fundraiser began with a string quartet and a photographer.
The guests saw a gleaming staircase, silver garlands, and a giant tree decorated with handmade paper stars.
They did not see the laundry room.
Eli had been ordered to polish shoes before school and carry boxes after returning. Rosie sat on a folded blanket, coughing into her sleeve.
“Are we going to the party?” she asked.
“No.”
“Can we see the tree?”
“Maybe later.”
Caroline entered with a basket of dirty tablecloths.
“Eli. The catering staff needs ice.”
He stood.
Rosie reached for him.
“Don't go.”
“I'll be back.”
Caroline looked at the little girl.
“Stop clinging. It's embarrassing.”
Rosie lowered her hand.
Eli carried two bags of ice from the garage. The cold burned through his gloves. He slipped on the back steps and spilled one bag.
Caroline saw him through the kitchen door.
“Do you know what that costs?”
“I'll pick it up.”
“Of course you will.”
She grabbed his shoulder and pushed him down onto the wet step. His knee struck the concrete. He cried out but got up quickly.
“Don't make a scene.”
He scooped ice with shaking hands while the party music drifted outside.
Inside, a donor praised Caroline.
“You're an angel for taking those children in.”
Caroline smiled.
“Family is everything.”
Eli entered carrying the damaged bag.
The donor noticed his wet trousers.
“Who's this young man?”
“My nephew,” Caroline said. “He's helping.”
“Doesn't he want to enjoy Christmas?”
“He's had a difficult time with discipline.”
Eli stared at the floor.
The donor, a retired teacher named Mrs. Bell, knelt to his height.
“Are you all right, honey?”
Eli glanced at Caroline.
“Fine.”
Mrs. Bell noticed the bruise on his cheek.
Caroline touched his shoulder.
“Go change.”
Eli went downstairs.
Mrs. Bell watched him leave.
Then she quietly took a picture of the fundraiser's printed program. It listed Caroline's charity as a children's protection organization.
She had taught for forty years. She knew a frightened child when she saw one.
At nine, Rosie began wheezing.
Eli found her curled on the blanket, cheeks flushed.
He climbed the stairs and approached Caroline.
“Rosie's sick.”
“She's always coughing.”
“She can't breathe right.”
Caroline smiled at a guest and hissed, “Not now.”
“Please.”
“Go away.”
Eli stood his ground.
“Please, Aunt Caroline.”
She gripped his upper arm and steered him toward the pantry, out of sight of the guests.
“Do you want everyone to think I can't care for you?”
“I want Rosie to breathe.”
Caroline slapped him.
He hit the pantry door with his shoulder.
“Don't you ever humiliate me in my own house.”
Eli slid down the wall, fighting tears.
Mrs. Bell, looking for the restroom, heard the last sentence.
She stepped into the hall.
“What's going on?”
Caroline's face changed instantly.
“Nothing. Eli had a little tantrum.”
Mrs. Bell looked at the boy.
“Eli?”
He stared at his shoes.
“Is your sister sick?”
He looked up.
Caroline froze.
Mrs. Bell took out her phone.
“I'm calling for medical help.”
“You will do no such thing,” Caroline said.
Mrs. Bell held her gaze.
“Watch me.”
An ambulance arrived twelve minutes later.
Rosie was taken to the hospital for evaluation and treatment. Eli refused to leave her side.
Caroline tried to ride with them.
A paramedic asked her to wait while the children's situation was clarified.
Mrs. Bell accompanied Eli with permission from the responders.
At the hospital, Eli finally spoke.
“Please don't send Rosie back.”
A nurse crouched beside him.
“Tell me why.”
Eli looked through the glass at his sister.
“Because next time I might not hear her coughing.”
The nurse documented his statement and notified the hospital social worker.
Nina received the call at 10:43 p.m.
She called Walter.
“Get to St. Agnes Hospital.”
“Are they alive?”
“Yes. Rosie's being treated.”
Walter put on his coat.
“I'm coming.”
Then Nina added, “And Walter? Someone at the hospital recognized the name Grace Reed.”
“Who?”
“A nurse who worked at the psychiatric facility.”
Walter stopped moving.
“What did she say?”
“She says Grace never abandoned her children.”
“Then where is she?”
May you like
Nina's voice softened.
“She says Grace has spent seven years trying to get them back.”
