Chapter 4 #2
Marty nodded. “I think I do. My parents had a lot of issues when I was Cameron’s age.
Mom went through a lot of depression after she lost a child, and my father started drinking.
There were reports of neglect, and I was taken away and placed in temporary care.
It was frightening for me, but my parents straightened themselves out and fought for me.
They got custody back after a few months, and things were better after that.
I was put in a foster home with a family that had two kids of their own, but they took me in too.
Her name was Shaniqua, and his was Rayquan.
They were good to me, and I still get birthday cards from them each year.
I visit them in Baltimore when I’m down there, and they have come up to see me.
I was lucky, and I intend to make that same luck happen for Cameron. ”
Grant pulled over the plastic chair from the other side of the room to sit near Marty.
Then he quietly told Dexter that he was free from work.
“Is this something you really want to do? I can understand how you feel, but this is a child you’ve never met before.
” It was a little impulsive, but Grant could honestly understand how Marty felt.
If he could prevent any kid from being taken, he would.
Simply put, he didn’t want anyone to go through what he had.
“I think this is something I need to do,” Marty said softly. “He’s what… seven? And his family…?”
“I don’t know.” He didn’t remember every detail from the case file, but he could certainly find out.
“I’m not trying to talk you out of it or anything.
” Because damn, what Marty was doing had to be one of the coolest and most selfless actions Grant had ever seen.
He’d encountered plenty of assholeness in his time with the force, but this kind of sheer kindness was damned rare.
“Mommy.” It was little more than a whisper, but Cameron had said something. “I want…,” he said and then stopped, his eyes fluttering open. “Who are you?” he asked. “Are you bad?”
“I’m Marty, and this is Officer Grant. And we’re not bad. We found you in that awful place, and you’re in the hospital so you can get better.” His voice was so calm and gentle.
Cameron began to cry, and Marty handed him the bear, which he held to his chest, tears running down his cheeks.
“You’re okay now. That bad person is gone, and you’re safe.
No one is going to hurt you. Like I said, my name is Marty, and I’m going to stay with you.
This is Grant, and the dog over there is Dexter.
He was the one who really found you. Officer Grant carried you out of that place, and we brought you here where everyone will help you.
No hurting, I promise.” He pressed the button to call the nurse.
She came in and smiled. “Sweetheart, you’re awake. That’s so good to see. Are you thirsty? Do you want some water?”
“Maybe a little apple juice?” Marty suggested. Cameron shook his head. “You don’t like apple juice.”
“I’m not allowed to have any,” Cameron said, and Marty turned to him as if to say “we need to talk later.”
“You can have some if you want it here. I promise,” Marty said. He smiled at Cameron and nodded. “Really.”
Cameron held that bear like it was a lifeline. The nurse left and returned with a glass of water and a small container of juice. Marty held the straw for Cameron and helped him sit up so he could drink. He had just finished when the doctor came in to examine him.
“I’m Dr. Brian.” He grinned and seemed young and nice.
“How are you feeling?” Cameron shrugged.
“Is it okay if I look in your eyes and check your tummy? It won’t hurt.
I promise.” He checked him over. “I want to run a few tests to make sure that his body function is returning to normal, so we’ll keep him for a few days. ”
An orderly came in, and the doctor said good-bye. “You ready to go for a ride?” the orderly asked, and after moving the monitors around, he wheeled Cameron, bed and all, out of the room.
“Can the doggie come too?” Cameron asked.
“Yes,” Marty said. “We’ll all be with you.” He grabbed the bag, and they all followed Cameron to the elevator and then up to the second floor. Once the orderly got Cameron settled in his room, Marty gave him the bottle of juice. “Just drink a little.”
“Can we ride again?” Cameron asked.
“Nope. Not today, but maybe you’ll get one later,” the orderly said. “Now you get better, okay?”
“Okay,” Cameron agreed, and the orderly left. Marty helped him with his juice. Cameron drank some and then lay back, his eyes closing.
“He’s going to be okay,” Grant said.
“Yes. It seems that way. I’m sorry about our drinks and stuff. Things got a little hectic there for a while, and with all the excitement, I think we forgot.”
“That’s okay.” Grant got on the phone and after a few minutes he hung up. “One of the guys is going to pick up a pizza, and they’ll bring it up here.”
“Thanks,” Marty said. Cameron woke again, and Marty helped him with his juice. “How is your tummy?”
“Hungry,” Cameron said.
“Let me go check to see what he can have to eat,” Grant said, telling Dexter to stay. Then he left the room and stopped by the nursing station. “Cameron says he’s hungry. What can he have to eat?” he asked the nurse.
She checked the computer. “There are no restrictions, but I’d suggest something light. I can bring him some Jello and maybe some toast… things that are easy on his digestion. He’s been through a lot, and his little system isn’t going to take a lot at the moment.”
“Okay. Jello it is,” Grant said, The nurse got some from the fridge and handed him two cups of red. “Thanks.” He gave her his best smile and returned to the room. Dexter had moved from his place on the floor to stretch out right next to Cameron on the bed, who petted him on the head.
“Good doggie,” Cameron said.
“Did you ever have a dog of your own?” Marty asked, and Cameron shook his head. He really seemed to be taken with Marty, and even let him hold his hand.
“Did you?” Cameron asked in return.
“Not really, no. My dad was allergic to dogs.”
Cameron looked at Marty as seriously as a heart attack.
“My daddy is an angel in heaven. So is my mommy.” He looked at Marty with huge eyes and then sniffled.
“I want them back.” He began to cry softly.
Marty didn’t seem to know what to do, and neither did Grant.
They were essentially strangers to this little boy.
The amazing thing was that Dexter shifted closer, his tongue licking Cameron’s cheek.
It must have tickled, because Cameron giggled a little, and Dexter did it again. Thank god for doggie instincts.
Marty opened one of the containers of Jello and handed it to Cameron along with a spoon. He took a few bites and then ate all of it. Marty opened the second container, and that one disappeared almost as fast. “We can get you more once your tummy settles, okay?”
Cameron lay back in the bed and closed his eyes. Marty got up and left the room, and Grant followed. “I don’t know what to do now. I don’t want to leave him alone. It’s pretty obvious that no one else is coming.”
Grant understood, and he hugged Marty out of sheer instinct.
This whole situation had him unbalanced as hell, and he had no idea what to do about it.
“Tomorrow I’m going to find who did this.
I don’t quite know how yet, but I am.” Marty put his arms around his waist, and they held each other for a few seconds of comfort.
Maybe the quicksand that seemed to have opened up under each of them could solidify once again.
“How is the kid?” Red asked as he came down the hallway carrying the pizza he’d said he’d bring.
“Awake, scared, and a little confused, I’m willing to bet.”
Red glanced around. “Did you take Dexter home?”
Grant snickered as he shook his head. “He has completely reverted to doggie mode and is currently lying in bed with the kid, stretched out like he owns the place, loving every second of it.” Grant took the box and thanked him.
Then they wandered down to the nurse’s station and set the box on the counter.
He opened it and took a huge bite of the cheesy pepperoni slice.
Marty got a piece also as the nurse looked on.
“Go ahead,” Grant told him, and he snagged a wedge as well.
No one spoke as they ate, but Grant noticed that Marty never looked away from Cameron’s door, and once he had inhaled his piece of pizza, he wiped his fingers and returned.
As soon as he peered into the room, he smiled and motioned to Grant to come over.
Cameron was asleep with Dexter next to him, head resting on his chest, with Cameron’s one hand on Dexter’s side and the other holding the bear. It looked like his K-9 partner had settled in for the night.
“Come on, Dexter,” Grant said quietly, and damned if Dexter didn’t slowly get up and off the bed, touching the floor without making a sound. Cameron clutched the bear with his other hand and snugged down under the covers.
“Thank you for dinner and everything,” Marty said. “I’m going to stay for a while and then head home to sleep before coming back in the morning.”
Grant drew closer. “Okay. I need to talk to Cameron to see if he remembers anything that can help us. He also needs to see a counselor. So I’ll see you in the morning.
” He took Marty’s hand. “When they made you, they really created someone special, and then they definitely broke the mold.” He squeezed Marty’s hand, and then he and Dexter headed for the elevator to go home for what Grant was certain was going to be a very restless night.