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Hazel is a medical student. Bachelor in science, who is constantly juggling between the demands for these studies and pressures for clinical rotations, she has learned to keep her head down and eyes for...
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I sat in the waiting room, the minutes stretching longer than they should.
Dr. Harrison had asked me to come in to discuss some documentation for Violet's legal adoption to her current parents.
I couldn't stop thinking about it.
Violet's parents.
It wasn't until the door into his office finally opened that my brain stopped its overdrive. Dr. Harrison offered me a soft smile and directed a nod toward his office, with his hand gesturing for me to come in.
"Thanks for coming, Hazel," he began, calm-voiced. "As I said on the call, I need you to look over and sign some papers regarding Violet's situation."
I took the seat opposite to him, trying to shake off the feeling of my hands quivering as I reached for the folder he slid across the desk. The papers stared back at me, the legalese blurring into some sort of mess that was indefinite.
"Is... is everything okay?" I asked, trying to keep my voice even.
Dr. Harrison let out a sigh as he leaned back in his chair, his face stern but kind. "Hazel, we had some complications with violet's permissions for some precedures. As you know, Violet's adoption wasn't legal, and well, her guardianship is being called into question. These papers are only the first step in rectifying it."
It felt like he'd punched me in my gut. I looked at the papers, but that weight in my chest just seemed to grow. "Why isn't this going through the court? Shouldn't I have a lawyer for this?" I asked, my voice rising with unease.
He let out a soft sigh and then looked at me with the same unflinching calm. "These are preliminary documents, Hazel. We're acknowledging the adoption wasn't legal, and yes, the court process will follow. You may need legal representation later, but for now, this is just to formalize where things stand."
I didn't like this. In fact, I didn't like any of it.
The more I looked at the papers, the heavier they seemed to become in my hands. "I'll... I'll read everything when I get home," I said, and my voice was tight.
But before I could rise, Dr. Harrison shook his head imperceptibly. "I'm afraid the papers can't leave the premises, Hazel. This is sensitive information."
In my arms, the folder felt suddenly like a trap. My instinct to run, to protect Violet, conflicted with the reality of the situation staring me in the face. "Can't I take them home? Just for tonight?" I asked, desperation creeping into my voice.
Dr. Harrison stood behind me, his hands settling on my shoulders with a gentle grasp. "Take your time, Hazel. I know how hard this must be for you. But I would never do anything that could conceivably hurt you and Violet. You know that, don't you? I am here for you.".
His words were comforting, but somehow, they felt like a further weight on my chest. I just couldn't shake that feeling from my head- this was spiraling out of proportion. I got to my feet slowly and pushed the folder back across the desk to him. "I don't think I can do this right now," I whispered.
