Friday

Cate sighed as she examined her reflection in the mirror and discarded yet another outfit.

Nearly half of Cate's wardrobe was thrown on the floor. She'd been trying on outfits for nearly half an hour, searching for the perfect outfit to wear to her appointment with Dr. Franklin.

She wanted to look mature. Capable. Maternal.

The only problem was that Cate didn't know what would make her look any of those things.

Her own mother usually had the opposite goal. Laverne tried desperately to look younger than she actually was. She wore clothes she thought would attract guys. Cate didn't think Laverne owned one professional outfit.

Cate finally settled on a conservative navy dress.

It was all Cate could do to sit through her morning classes. She'd already waited so long for this meeting.

Cate kept darting glances at the clock. Time seemed to be standing still.

At last the bell rang. Cate hurried out to the parking lot. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Baze. It still made her blood boil every time she ran into him.

"My dad got me a new car because Coach made me the starting quarterback," Baze was bragging to his friends.

Cate watched, glaring, as Baze led the way to a shiny red sports car. Baze pretended not to notice her gaze, but shifted uncomfortably and looked away.

Baze and his friends piled into the car. As they breezed by Cate with the windows rolled down, Cate could hear the bass of his undoubtedly expensive car stereo.

Cate scowled as she got in her mother's old beat up Honda, which she'd borrowed so she could get from school to the hospital for her meeting.

It was so unfair. Baze didn't have a care in the world. Meanwhile, Cate felt as though the weight of the world was on her shoulders.

Her future and her daughter's future depended on Cate. While Cate was in this meeting, Baze would be at lunch with his friends, Cate thought bitterly.

She was trying desperately to figure out how to pay for Lux's surgery. Baze was driving a car that probably retailed for about the same price as Lux's surgery.

Cate pulled into a parking spot at the hospital. She sat there, unable to move. She'd been waiting for this meeting, well, since she'd scheduled it. But she also knew all of her hopes could come crashing down today.

Cate took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. She had to appear mature. She couldn't go in there and break down crying like some immature kid.

Cate felt hot as she approached Donna's office. She could feel herself beginning to sweat. She knocked on Donna's door and entered.

Cate smiled at Donna nervously. "Hi. I have an appointment with Dr. Franklin."

Donna glanced down at her calendar. "Ms. Cassidy?"

Cate nodded.

"Have a seat." Donna gestured toward a chair. "I'll let Dr. Franklin know you're here."

Cate sat down, slouching in the chair. She quickly noticed and sat up straight, crossing her legs and attempting to look ladylike. She didn't want to look like a kid the first time Dr. Franklin laid eyes on her. First impressions are important.

After a moment Dr. Franklin emerged from his office, which was just past Donna's. He was a tall and foreboding man, but he smiled kindly at Cate. "Ms. Cassidy? I'm Dr. Franklin." He extended his hand.

Cate shook it, willing herself to have a strong handshake. "I'm Cate. It's so nice to meet you."

Dr. Franklin held his office door open for Cate. Cate sat down in the chair facing his, careful to sit up straight and cross her legs.

Dr. Franklin sifted through a manila file folder. Cate strained her eyes and read Lux's name on the label.

Cate waited, unsure if she should begin or if Dr. Franklin would.

Right as Cate opened her mouth to speak, Dr. Franklin said, "I understand you want to talk to me about financing Lux's surgery?"

Cate nodded.

Dr. Franklin frowned, confusion furrowing his brow. "As a ward of the State, the State will pay for Lux's medical care."

"Yes, but I can change my mind about giving her up for adoption. I want her," Cate explained, struggling to keep her voice steady.

Dr. Franklin nodded in understanding. "And if Lux was legally your child, you would be responsible for paying for her medical care."

"Exactly. There's no way I can afford her surgery," Cate said sadly.

"Do you have insurance?" Dr. Franklin wondered.

"I do, but Lux doesn't," Cate replied.

"Is it possible to add Lux to your coverage?" Dr. Franklin asked.

"No. My coverage is through my mom's company," Cate replied, looking at the ground.

"How old are you?" Dr. Franklin asked, studying Cate.

Cate blushed slightly, but forced herself to meet his eyes. "Seventeen."

Dr. Franklin sighed.

In her lap, Cate's hands balled into fists. She clenched her fists hard, prepared to fight for her daughter. "I know I'm not the perfect mom. I'm seventeen. I'm still in high school. I can't afford to give Lux everything that she deserves."

Cate took a deep breath, fighting back tears. She would not cry in front of the Chief of Staff. She could not allow herself to cry. "But there's one thing I can give her. Love. I love her! I love her so much that I gave her up because Social Services told me she'd be better off. That she'd be adopted."

Cate's voice came out stronger now. She maintained eye contact with Dr. Franklin. "She wasn't adopted. She can't be adopted until she's healthy. According to your doctors, it could be over a year before she's strong enough for the surgery she needs. She doesn't deserve to be alone for a year or more because she was born with a heart defect."

Dr. Franklin's expression was grave. "I'm sorry. I wish I could help you. I really do. But I can't."

Cate stood up and put her hands face down on Dr. Franklin's desk. Her hands now had marks from where her nails had dug in. "I won't take no for an answer. Please," Cate pleaded.

Dr. Franklin shook his head sadly. "Your daughter isn't the only patient I have to consider. Her care is going to be very expensive. I can either write Lux's care off or use the money for equipment that has the potential to save hundreds of lives. I cannot in good conscience eat the cost on Lux's surgery and care."

Cate bit her lip. Tears stung her eyes even as she tried desperately not to cry. "Is there anything else I can do?" She whispered.

"I'm afraid not. I'm sorry," Dr. Franklin apologized.

Cate knew he truly was sorry. She could tell he felt bad by his tone of voice and facial expression.

"Thank you," Cate said. She turned for the door and left quickly. She knew she wouldn't be able to hold it together much longer.

Donna watched Cate exit Dr. Franklin's office. The poor young girl looked like she needed a hug. Donna was about to say something comforting, but Cate dashed past her before she could.

By the time Cate got to the car, she was sobbing uncontrollably. People were staring, but Cate didn't care. Nothing mattered anymore.