Chapter 16

"Hannah Sully? I will look, just give me a moment." Irene Gibb gestured for Maude and Loren to sit down next to her desk while she opened a program on her computer. "Ah, here she is… Emotional as well as physical abuse, neglect… reported this morning." Turning back to the couple the social worker assured, "Don't worry, in such a serious case we act immediately. Actually, the child should already be under our protection. Our psychologist will talk to her and then…" Her voice trailed off; puzzled she saw Mrs. Bray glaring at her husband. "What's wrong?" she wondered.

Yet Maude kept her eyes on Loren who tried to look as if he didn't feel that he was in any way to blame. His wife saw right through him though. Her voice was accusing when she started to speak, "I thought Dr. Mike exaggerated but it is really as bad as she said. I want you to get it straight why you really came here."

Loren, not wanting to look like a fool, didn't admit yet that he had made a mistake, "Awe, that's not my words. I only said that Hannah got hurt and that I don't wanna see that he ruins her life as he did with Abigail's…"

"Our daughter's death wasn't Sully's fault and you know that," Maude huffed but was stopped by Mrs. Gibb clearing her throat.

The social worker had seen that this was Mrs. Chamber's case and knowing that she didn't always handle her cases the right way, she decided to ask for the facts that had led to the charge. "Mrs. Bray," she began, "We see it quite often that someone reports abuse and then takes it back, often out of fear of the alleged offender. That is why I'd like to ask your husband some question as to judge the case myself. Are you alright with that?"

Maude nodded slowly. The woman across from her made the impression as if she knew what she did. If not, Maude would still be here to interpose.

Irene Gibb directed her gaze at the man. Seeing him shift on his chair, every fiber in her body told her that he had a bad conscience but would be stubborn nevertheless. "Mr. Bray," she began, sounding very official now, "When did you notice bruises or other evidence of physical abuse on your granddaughter the first time?"

"Well…" Loren nervously ran his hand over his head as if his hair needed to be brushed back and hesitated. The social worker from this morning hadn't asked so directly but rather helped to find the right words in order to have a reason for going after Sully. However, feeling his wife's angry gaze he shut his mouth again.

For over twenty years Irene Gibb had held this position and knew there were two possibilities; either the man was too afraid to talk with his wife next to him or he held a grudge against the father of the child. As to avoid the little girl getting hurt, she had to find out as quickly as possible what was going on here. Only little people answered a direct question with a lie and thus she asked, "Have you ever witnessed Mr. Sully beating his daughter?"

Maude couldn't believe that her husband didn't reply instantly. That was why she forgot that she was supposed to stay silent and chimed in, "Of course not! He hasn't seen Sully since the day Abigail left our home! He just…"

Startled, Maude stopped. Mrs. Gibb had risen from her chair abruptly shouting across the large office, "Jeff! I need you here!"

Immediately, a man in his twenties who wore his long hair bound in a ponytail emerged as if out of nowhere, expectantly looking at his older colleague. "Please offer Mrs. Bray a cup of tea or coffee or whatever she wants," Irene said, "I need some moments alone with her husband."

………………………………………………………………………..

It sounded odd, but Michaela was glad that the little girls were distracted by not feeling well. This way they didn't notice how nervous their parents were. She didn't want to add to their physical discomfort. If they ever learned that there was a real chance that Hannah could be taken away from the family, it might haunt them for a very long time.

At the kitchen table it had been unusually quiet yet no one seemed to mind. Hannah and Katie even suggested of their own accord to lie down again after lunch. Some of their old spirits shone through though when they, simultaneously, requested to sleep on the floor of the living room. Gaining permission, Katie even ventured further, asking whether they could get their stuffed lions as to cuddle with them. The children had just made themselves comfortable when the doorbell rang again.

Still crouched down next to their daughters, Michaela and Sully looked at each other, worry and strain visibly showing on their faces. As Sully started to rise to his feet, Michaela touched his arm, holding him back. "Let me," she said, "Since this is my apartment it could be someone who wants to see me. And…" she raised her eyebrows for him to understand the underlying meaning, "if you just stay inside here…"

"Alright," Sully conceded although he didn't like that Michaela would have to deal alone with the social worker. He was sure Miss Chambers was back. He silently watched Michaela straightening, squaring her shoulders and leaving the room.

Irene Gibb waited patiently for her ringing to be answered. She had drawn her conclusions from Mr. Bray's answers and even the more from what she had learned about the conversation at the kindergarten. Mrs. Bray had at last confirmed her surmise but since the case was already on file, she needed more as to close it. That was why she was here.

When the entrance finally opened, Irene showed her identification card introducing herself, "I'm Irene Gibb from the youth welfare office." After putting her card back into her jacket pocket, she proffered her hand, "Mrs. Quinn, I assume."

"It's either Miss or Dr. Quinn," Michaela replied. Although she shook the offered hand she didn't budge as to give the entrance free.

Irene considered the woman before her for a minute. She never paid attention to what people wore or what furniture they had; she had seen abuse not only in the poor parts of town but in the richest as well. There were other signs that told her what she needed to know. "Dr. Quinn," she eventually went on purposefully addressing her this way, "We both know that I can't simply drop a case once it is reported. I need good reason to do it and for this, you have to let me in."

Knowing that the social worker was right, Michaela nodded and stepped aside, giving the entrance free. The fact that there weren't policemen with Mrs. Gibb gave her a first ray of hope that this nightmare could be over soon.

Sully held his ear close to the door panel in order to discern as much as possible of what was going on out there. Both little girls had rolled over so they lay on their stomachs right now, watching him. They had never thought that their daddy could be so curious that he would eavesdrop. Glancing at each other, they started to giggle. Sully, unaware of the effect he had on his daughters, instantly hushed them without turning towards them though, "Shh…"

While Katie continued grinning behind her hand that covered her moth now, Hannah instantly grew serious. She knew her father well enough as to realize that something was wrong. With her headache suddenly returning, a light moan escaped her and she shifted as to lie on her back again.

Sully was sure that only one person talked and followed her inside. Relieved hearing that the steps didn't lead the stranger to the living room but to the kitchen, he turned. He did it in time to hear the sound of pain Hannah made and was instantly on his knees next to her, "Ya want me to get Mommy here?" he asked, tenderly stroking the pale brow.

The little girl, however, didn't want her daddy to leave her, "Can ya stay?" she pleaded and smiled a bit upon seeing him nod in agreement. Sully moved as to sit cross-legged and taking his daughter's hand he advised, "Close your eyes, sweet girl."

When she did so, he started to quietly tell the story about how the rabbit lost his tail.

Irene Gibb had heard and seen enough. Of course she knew that Dr. Quinn was prejudiced; after all she was Mr. Sully's fiancée. However, it was obvious that little children were an integral part of the life in this apartment. Brightly colored pictures made by small hands covered most of the free places on the walls and the refrigerator. Children that were unhappy, even if only secretly, didn't paint this kind of pictures. Learning more about the history of the Sully/Bray family confirmed what the experienced social worker had already concluded: that Mr. Bray was a bitter man who wanted to take his chance not only to make his granddaughter live with him but also Mr. Sully feel the pain of losing his little daughter. There was only one step left for her to do; she had to see the child and the father as well.

Katie had grown suspicious the moment her daddy turned away from the door for she had seen his face then. Something was going on outside of the living room that worried him and it must have to do with her best friend, her sister. Maybe it was about the accident again, like in the morning and she decided to make sure that no one would disturb Hannah's rest. That was why she only half-heartedly listened to the story but rather concentrated on the sounds from the hallway. As she heard steps approaching, she straightened to her feet. As soon as the door opened and revealed a stranger next to her mommy, she started to talk to her in a resolute tone, "Hannah hasn't seen anything, the van hit us on my side. You can ask me 'cause my sister has a headache and needs to sleep."

While Michaela looked somewhat embarrassed about her daughter's rude behavior, Sully couldn't suppress a grin. He had relaxed the moment he saw Michaela's expression that told him they were out of danger of losing his little girl. That was why he was able to enjoy watching Katie as the small replica of her mother.

Irene Gibb smiled openly, "Well, that's very brave of you. But actually I'm only here to see how you both are doing." She carefully stepped around the makeshift beds on the floor. Taking a seat on the couch, she looked down at Hannah asking softly, "So, how are you?"

"I'm fine. Thank you Ma'am," the child replied, trying to sound sincere. She wanted to be brave as well.

"I see," Mrs. Gibb nodded. It was obvious that the girl was in pain. Not wanting to add to her discomfort she decided to leave her alone and only requested, "May I borrow your dad for some minutes?"

Before Hannah agreed, she looked at her father. Sully recognized the worry in her eyes when she asked, "You be back?"

Thus he bent down and after placing a peck on her forehead he looked straight into her blue eyes assuring, "I promise, sweet girl."

Half an hour later the little family was alone again. With their daughters napping Sully was able to convince Michaela to get some rest, too. She didn't really resist his suggestion, feeling that the events of the day had taken their toll on her. The dull, softly throbbing ache on her chest reminded her that she had to be careful to not overdo it if she wanted to be back at work at night. As she made herself comfortable, snuggled up to Sully she chuckled, remembering that the little girls were lying almost in the same way, only that they were holding onto a stuffed lion.

"What?" Sully wondered, his deep voice next to her ear as comforting as his arms around her.

"Nothing," she replied, thinking it foolish to tell him that she had just compared him with a stuffed lion. "I'm just happy that this nightmare is over."

"Yeah," he quietly agreed, "But I gotta have a word with Loren."

Michaela instantly reacted. She started to sit up as to have a better look at his face yet Sully pulled her back into his embrace, "Don't worry, I ain't doin' somethin' stupid."

"Good," was all Michaela responded, feeling too exhausted as to discuss anything right now. Closing her eyes she sighed reiterating, "Good."

Hearing her breathing becoming more even and deep Sully eventually relaxed somewhat as well. He was fully aware that without Michaela by his side, he might have lost Hannah today. He wracked his brain for an idea how to show her what she meant to him. As an idea hit him he grinned, satisfied.