A furrow of concern formed on the officer’s forehead. ”I’m trying to reach Ray Jenkins’ next-of-kin.”
Sonia clapped a hand to her mouth. Next-of-kin. Was Ray dead? Her legs quivered. How would she ever break the news to Henry? The poor child had been through so much already. “I … don’t understand.”
“I’m afraid there’s been an accident.”
Sonia rested a hand on the fence to steady herself. “What … what kind of an accident?”
“Mr. Jenkins wrecked his truck. He’s been transported to the hospital. I’m trying to contact his family.”
”He doesn’t really have any family.” Sonia sucked in a labored breath, trying to collect her thoughts. “This is his mother’s house. She passed away recently—shortly after he lost his wife to cancer. He has a younger brother, but he hasn’t seen him in over twenty years. There’s really only his son, Henry.”
The officer adjusted his stance. ”Do you know where I might find him?”
Sonia squeezed her hands nervously. ”He’s with me. I picked him up from school when Ray didn’t show up.”
Officer Reed pulled out a pad. ”What’s your name, ma’am?”
“Sonia Masterton.”
“Phone number and address?”
Sonia reeled off her details, still trying to process the situation.
“If you like, I can talk to his son for you,” Officer Reed offered.
Sonia swallowed the hard knot in her throat. ”He’s only four-years-old.”
The officer’s expression softened. ”Are you able to care for him for now? Otherwise, I can radio for someone from child welfare to pick him up.”
Sonia flinched. He meant no harm, but he made it sound like he was talking about a stray dog. Evelyn and Jessica would be outraged if she didn’t agree to take Henry in. But this was a huge responsibility. Henry was so young, and vulnerable. She chewed on her lip, plagued by guilt at how she’d spent the afternoon fuming at Ray. She’d been quick to rush to judgment, believing the worst of him. All this time, he’d been lying in a hospital bed, injured, possibly needing surgery for all she knew. How could she refuse to help him? She gestured to her house. “If you want to come in for a few minutes, we can discuss it.”
Evelyn looked up in alarm when Sonia walked into the family room followed by a police officer.
“Ray’s been in an accident,” Sonia blurted out as they sat down. ”Officer Reed came to notify Ray’s next-of-kin. I explained to him that it’s only Henry.”
Evelyn’s eyes darted frantically between Sonia and the officer. “Is he … dead?”
“No, he survived the accident,” Officer Reed volunteered. “The only information I have from the paramedics is that he sustained a head injury. His truck was totaled. Based on the tire marks, it’s possible he swerved to avoid another vehicle. We found his phone in the wreckage, but it’s shattered.”
Evelyn’s hands fluttered to her throat. ”That’s awful! What hospital is he in?”
Officer Reed pulled out his notebook and consulted it. “He was taken to Fannin Regional.”
“Henry can stay here with us, of course, until his father is released,” Evelyn said, shooting a fierce look Sonia’s way.
”Absolutely,” Sonia agreed. “Is Ray able to have visitors?”
“You’ll have to check with the hospital.” Officer Reed produced a card from his pocket and handed it to her. ”Feel free to call me if you have any questions I can help with.”
Sonia slipped the card into her pocket and escorted the officer to the door, a knot of worry twisting in her stomach. On the spur of the moment, she’d volunteered to take Henry in without knowing the full extent of Ray’s injuries. What if he ended up in rehab for weeks on end?As much as she felt sorry for Henry, she couldn’t afford to invest that amount of time in a small child. She had a business to run. It would be next to impossible to get any work done at home with all the interruptions that would ensue. And her mother couldn’t be expected to care for a four-year-old, not while she was still recovering from hip surgery. The principal of Small Steps had made it clear that the boy couldn’t return to school without the proper documentation, which meant Sonia would be stuck trying to figure out childcare.
Her best option was to go straight to the hospital and get a full report on Ray’s condition. Perhaps she’d be allowed to see him for a few minutes. If he was able to talk, she could ask him where the paperwork was for Henry’s preschool. Celia always kept a spare key for the house buried in the planter by the back door. With Ray’s permission, she could go inside and look for Henry’s records—this was her opportunity to find out what was going on, once and for all.
She pulled on her coat and slung her purse over her shoulder before sticking her head into the family room. ”I’m going to the hospital, Mom. Please don’t mention the accident to the kids. Just tell them Ray said Henry could spend the night. I’ll let you know as soon as I find out anything.”
Her thoughts were scattered as she sped toward Fannin Regional Hospital, incurring the indignant blare of a horn from a driver she cut off. Speeding was not a smart move, especially given her current state of mind, but she was desperate for details about Ray’s accident. A head injury was a vague diagnosis. Did that mean he had a concussion, or was he brain dead? The skin on the back of her neck prickled as her thoughts continued to spiral downward. What if Ray succumbed to his injuries? Images of raising Henry until he was eighteen flashed to mind. She couldn’t take
