Accidental Hero

Chapter 7 Conaway Park

May is a beautiful time of year. The flowers perfume the air in gentle caresses and pollin covers the cars in a fine layer of silken weave. The birds were all back and nests dotted the tree branches while fledglings hopped and fluttered their new wings. Everything feels fresh and clean as the mild spring rains come and go.

Morgan is growing more excited as her big orchestra concert nears. This year they are going to make a special appearance at the outdoor bandstand in Conaway park. Conaway is a huge park surrounding a lake that covers the old town of Marbillings. Around 30 years ago the town was evacuated and the land flooded to create this lake with more than 30 miles of coastline. A dam was built which controls the flow of water to the surrounding townships. Since then the park has graduated into full service campgrounds, a marina, a communal pool with waterslides, and of course the bandstand. Summer concerts play there every weekend when the weather is fitting. Its quite an honor for Morgans class to play there and the kids are all gearing up for the big day.

Ive set up a table with my computer on the back deck to enjoy the weather while working. The covered deck spans the length of the house and has one end screened in to enjoy warm breezes without having to worry about bugs. I think Morgan and I chose this house once we saw the backyard, she saw the pool and I saw this wonderful deck.

Works not going so well today. My attention is scattered and wavering from one thing to another. I'm just not getting anything done. Frustrated, I decide to do a little research of a different kind. Its been two days since I saw Detective Randalls and I wanted to know more about the boy. Searching local news only revealed stories published the day the boy was found. Channel 8 had a follow up the day after telling me much of what I already knew. Then in a small article on in the York County Tribune I found this...

INJURED BOY IDENTIFIED
The injured boy found in Cross Creek Park has been identified as Jason Allen Talbot from Carrollton County Md. The six year old is in a coma at Hershey Medical Center and is currently under the care of the York County division of Children and Youth Services. Police sources have stated this is a precaution based on the parents failure to file a missing persons report. The parents, Adrianne and Charles Talbot, have been living seperately and claim that each thought the child was in the custody of the other.
York County Child Services would not comment except to say that the parents are being allowed supervised visitation and are participating in decisions related to the childs medical care.
Hershey Medical Center has listed the child in critical condition but indications are that the coma is medically induced to facilitate healing of a trauamtic brain injury. Sources inside the facility have indicated that the childs condition is tenuous and medical decisions are being made on a hour by hour basis.
The parents have asked for prayers and indicated that anyone interested in helping should send donations to the Hershey Medical Center Childrens Hospital Foundation.
Lead Detective Blake Randall refused to comment on the investigation into this matter. He did however admit that Jasons injuries where not the result of an accident or self inflicted. Someone harmed this child and we can only hope that the Hampton Police Department will find the perpetrator soon.

I feel a rush of relief that the boys parents have been found and that he is still alive. I'm simultaneously horrified as to the extent of his injuries. Also confused as to how a parent could not know where their child is, then get tragic news, then be unable to rush to their side. What a mess. I hope Detective Randalls knows what he's doing.