May 13th 2020
As I park outside of the fire station I take a deep breath and wring my hands. When I signed up as a Safe Haven volunteer I never realised how difficult it would be when I actually received the call. Especially since this case is slightly out of the ordinary from what they usually have to deal with.
I take one last grounding breath before climbing out of my car, smoothing down the fabric of my dress as I walk into the firehouse. "Hi, I'm Taylor, I was called about a child surrendered here? I'm the safe haven volunteer," I glance around me as I smile at the woman sat at the reception desk, hyperaware of how out of place I feel in this moment. "Of course, she's right through here," she gets up and leads me through the station until we stop at a room where I spot a little girl wrapped in a fireman's jacket.
"You're a foster parent, right?" I nod, smiling warmly at the young brunette at my side, "I'm a paramedic so I checked her over as much as she would let me when we first found her, but I'd recommend a hospital trip." I nod, sighing gently to myself as I watch the innocent little girl. When CPS called me about this they said that I was the only available foster parent in the system and I would be their preference to handle this since it's not as simple as handing a newborn over. This is a little girl who knows what's going on and she needs someone to be able to advocate for her.
"Can I?" I hover nervously in the doorway as I watch the sweet little thing, she's so small and innocent. "Of course, she's a little nervous but she's a sweetie," the paramedic gives me a sweet smile and I nod as I venture further into the room. The little girl looks so small and fragile as I approach her, sitting down on a chair just in front of her, "hi there, sweetie." I paint a smile on my face to try and hide my nerves, I have no right to be nervous after this poor little girl has been through god knows what. "Hi," the little thing has a shaky voice as she nervously watches me. "My name is Taylor, honey. Can you tell me yours?"
The little girl fiddles with the sleeve of the jacket that's keeping her warm as she looks away, "Rosie," she mumbles the word as she watches the floor and I smile, "that's a beautiful name. Do you know why I'm here, Rosie?" I'm not totally sure what I'm doing here, I was given a crash course when I signed up, but there have only ever been 80 children surrendered in Tennessee since the law was passed so I never really expected this call.
"Cause mommy left," her words are filled with pain and the tear tracks are still evident on Rosie's face, she must have been so heartbroken and confused. "That's right, honey, I was called here to take care of you for a little while, is that okay?" The social worker meeting us at the hospital is going to give me more information but for now I just have to get Rosie from A to B.
The little girl gives me a soft nod in return, "We're going to go and visit a doctor, so would you mind if I carry you to the car, Rosie?" I don't want to alarm the already terrified little girl, but I don't want her walking on the sidewalk with no shoes. Rosie nods so I take off my cardigan and gently drape it over her shoulders before lifting her into her arms. She's so light and probably underweight, but the little one cuddles close to me as I keep her secure in my arms.
We say goodbye and thank the firemen on the way out and I coo gently to comfort the little one as I open the car door, lifting Rosie into the toddler seat, explaining what I'm doing so the little one doesn't freak out. She just holds onto my cardigan tight, it's so evident that she's scared but I want to give her as much comfort as I can.
The hospital is obviously the best port of call since we can't be sure about what Rosie has been through, so that was going to be our first stop even before the paramedic recommended it. It's so obvious that she hasn't been cared for the way she should be, especially with how thin and terrified she is and it's heartbreaking. Who could just walk away and leave her there alone?
