Kay (Part Three)

STOP: if you have not read parts one and two of Kay’s Story, please do so now.

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Kay and the baby were whisked off to the hospital within the hour. The rest of the morning was filled with a flurry of activity.

The infant was rushed into intensive care and Kay was peppered with the same questions over and over. She made her official statement and signed all the necessary paperwork in a daze.

Now she was sitting in the third floor waiting room, staring out the window at the odd mix of snow and muck that New Englanders call “mud season”.

“Miss? Miss Smith?” Officer Waters tapped her shoulder gently.

Kay started slightly and looked up. “I’m sorry, Officer. I guess I was lost in thought.”

The officer drained the coffee from his Styrofoam mug. “Well, I guess we’ll be heading back to the police station now. Do you need a lift somewhere? Back to the store maybe?”

“Oh, thank you, but no. My boss gave me the day off and I think I’ll stay here and wait for word on the babe’s condition. I can’t help but feel a little responsible for her since I found her.”

“Alright… but a word of advice, young lady: Don’t get too attached.” The officer smiled sadly, touched a hand to the brim of his hat and walked out.

Kay couldn’t think of a response and her sinking heart had to agree with the man. She should just go home. Heavens knows, I’m tired enough. Baby rescuing is quite emotionally draining apparently.

She stood and stretched her cramped limbs. No, she couldn’t just leave. She wandered down the hall and stopped at the nearly deserted nurses’ station. A lone frazzled-looking nurse sat submerged in a sea of paperwork, one hand curled possessively around an extra large coffee. After several moments of not being noticed, Kay cleared her throat softly.

The nurse, Makayla, according to her ID looked up with a start. “Huh? Oh, I’m so sorry! Can I help you with something?”

“Oh, that’s fine. I can see that you are busy. I was wondering though… You know the abandoned baby that was brought in this morning? Well, I was hoping-“

The nurse squinted at Kay for an instant and visibly brightened. “Oh, wait a sec! You are the girl that found her, aren’t you? Sorry, I didn’t recognize you for a minute. You looking for an update on her? She’s a cutie and a real fighter too. They’ve got her on an IV, feeding tube, all the normal stuff, but she’s actually doing pretty well for a newborn left out in the elements like that. Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if they move her out of NICU before you know it.”

“Could I maybe see her?” Kay’s voice came out hesitant and halting.

“Hmm, well, she’s in NICU so there are certain procedures that we have to follow… and obviously you aren’t a family member. But then again, she doesn’t actually have any family that we know of… Let me see what I can do. Go on back to the waiting room and I’ll come tell you either way.”

A big smile spread across Kay’s face. “Thank you so much!” She reached across the counter and impulsively squeezed the woman’s hand. As Kay walked back down the hallway, there was a new spring in her tired step and her heart seemed ever so much lighter.

To be continued…

This story was scribbled quickly as a writing exercise and for my own amusement. I will continue the story soon. I hope you enjoy it!

Please forgive any errors, grammatical or otherwise, as this is a rough single draft story.

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