Hiding Inside

Broken Down

The weight of the news crashed down on Christine like a tidal wave. She wanted to let the current take her under, but it wouldn't be that easy. Instead, she had to keep going. She had to live, while her mother and sister could not. She didn't want to think of the future. She refused to revisit the past. She had so many questions, but her mind was flooded with possible answers, none of which made her feel any better. With Dr. Getz still cradling Christine in her arms, the little girl simply allowed the pain to resonate. She had no strength to fight it off anymore.
"Christine?" Dr. Getz asked, without pulling away from her. "I know this is difficult, but do you have any questions? Anything you want to say?"
The doctor was concerned with Christine's silence. She was so quiet, she had barely let out a whimper. But her entire body was shaking and every muscle was tensed up. Her heart was aching, but she was afraid to lose control. Dr. Getz continued to hold her close, and waited patiently for something to happen. But there was only silence, aside from a sniffle here and there.
"Knock knock?" A voice came from the door, accompanied by a tap on the glass. "Is this a bad time?" It was obviously a bad time.
"Who are you?" Dr. Getz inquired. She looked at Christine, who stared at the floor blankly, with tears still streaming down her cheeks.
"My name is Lisa Anderson," the woman answered. "I work for Child Protective Services, and I have been assigned to work Christine's case."
The woman's jet black hair was pulled back tightly into a neat bun. Her long legs were covered by nylon pantyhose without a single snag. Her nails were polished and he dressuit was flawless. She couldn't have been a day over 25, but she was extremely prim and proper. Dr. Getz had a bad feeling about her.
"Christine?" The woman prodded. "Can I sit with you, so that we may talk?"
"Can't you tell that this is not a good time?" Dr. Getz insisted.
"Excuse me, Brenda. But I was talking to Christine." The woman snooted.
"It's Dr. Getz, if you don't mind." She corrected. "And I am speaking for her. She needs some time."
Christine finally lifted her eyes to meet the woman's. The swirling shades of blue reflected the pain in her soul, and even this stranger could not ignore the fact that she was hurting.
"I understand." The lady submitted. "Dr. Getz, may I have a word with you outside, please?"
Surprised, Dr. Getz nodded, and reluctantly left Christine alone. Her heart sank as she walked away from the little girl, so tiny in that big hospital bed.
"Alright, cut the crap!" Dr. Getz snapped as soon as the door closed behind her. "You people are like vultures! She hasnt been awake more than a few hours, and you are already trying to shove her off? Have some sympathy, for God's sake!"
The woman looked shocked. The doctor's bluntness hit her like a ton of bricks.
"Whoa, I am only looking out for her best interest." Lisa defended. "She is going to need a home when she leaves here."
"So you send her to live with some stranger in the middle of nowhere?" Brenda was very irritated.
"Would you rather she end up in the system, bouncing from foster home to foster home, in hopes that someone will adopt her?"
Brenda knew the adoption rates of a six year old were not favorable, and she couldn't come up with an alternative. She looked to her feet, but the answer wasn't there either.
"Look, Doctor. I know you are worried about Christine, but let me do my job, and I will make sure she is safe." The woman promised.
Dr. Getz was still wary, but she sighed and nodded her head. "At least give her a while to grieve before you throw this at her too?"
Lisa nodded and strutted away, her heels clapping against the tiled floor. Brenda let out a big sigh before she walked back into the room, knowing that it was time to confess.