Addison had no other choice but to leave the room, leaving Olive alone with the social worker to begin the interview.
Miriam sat on the bed next to Olive and smiled gently at the little girl as she took note of her surroundings and prepared to ask her questions.
"Hello, Olive. My name is Miriam, I work for this hospital and I am here to ask you some questions, to get to know you better. I want us to have a conversation, tell me. How do you feel?" she asked kindly.
"Fine..." Olive responded shyly.
Miriam noticed Olive's hesitation in her response and decided to use a more direct approach to address her concerns.
"I understand that you are in the hospital because of an accident. Can you tell me what happened?"
Olive looked down at her small hands and began to play with them nervously.
"I was playing with my cousins at my grandmother's house. And I accidentally drank alcohol," she said.
"I understand it was an accident, but I want to make sure your parents are taking care of you properly. Do your parents treat you well?"
Olive looked up at Miriam and nodded.
"Yes, they love me. They gave me a purple ballet dress just like Rapunzel's, and a chocolate cake, and new skates, and lots of bracelets and rings!" she said excitedly.
Miriam smiled at Olive's response and continued asking her questions to corroborate her words.
"Olive, do you feel safe at home?"
The girl nodded quickly and repeatedly.
"Yes, I feel safe. Dad always checks under my bed before I go to sleep to see if there are no monsters. And Mom makes me wear sunscreen all the time! And insect repellent, which smells horrible!"
Miriam smiled and continued.
"Olive, tell me about the alcohol... why did you drink it? Is it something that happens often in your house?"
"Nah, at my house we don't have those potions."
"Potions?"
"Drinks, sorry. I thought they were magical potions to go to the magical world of elves..."
"What drinks do you have at home?"
"Mmm... milk, orange juice, water, Coca-Cola..."
"Does anyone drink alcohol in your house?"
"My Mom likes red wine."
"Does your mother like wine a lot?"
"Mom also likes green juice, but Dad says it's gross. He says only ogres drink that."
"Does your mom drink a lot of wine?"
"Sometimes. But not anymore, because she was pregnant and it's bad for babies."
"Is your mother pregnant?"
"No, not anymore. But she used to be. She had a huge belly..."
"And she didn't drink during the pregnancy?"
"Nope."
"Does your mother breastfeed your little brother or sister?"
"Yeah. My sister's name is Arleth."
"So she doesn't drink anymore?"
"She did on Christmas. Because my dad invited a lot of people to the house and she said she couldn't stand not drinking wine. She invited Uncle Mark, Callie, Arizona, Bailey, Tuck, Sofia, Owen, and..." she said, counting on her fingers.
"Many people, I understand," Miriam interrupted. "So, did she drink that day? Did she drink a lot?"
"No, it was just a glass."
"And does your dad drink?"
"He likes beer... and Scotch whisky."
"Does he drink often?"
"Not really. Sometimes. Only when he fights with my mom."
"Do they fight often?"
"Mmm... twice."
"Twice a week?"
"Twice a day. In the morning and at night."
"Why do they fight?"
"About everything."
Miriam silently took notes in her notebook and continued with the questions she had planned.
"Have you ever been given an alcoholic drink to try?"
"No. Kids can't drink alcohol."
"You're right. They never should."
"I did it by accident..."
"I understand. Olive, do you have any bruises on your body?" she asked, changing the subject.
The girl raised one of her small hands, where she had a scratch, and showed it to the social worker.
"Milo did this to me, my orange cat. I woke him up and he bit me. Sometimes he gets mad at me, but he's good. Did you know Milo and I are the same age? We were both born in 2007, but when he came to us it was in 2011. And he was already four years old. But now he's going to be six, just like me... His birthday is going to be in February. And I'll make him a tuna cake and..."
"Do they take your cat to the veterinarian? Do you know if he's vaccinated?"
"Yeah, his vet's name is Finn. My dad didn't like him much because he was Meredith's boyfriend. One time, Finn poked Milo in the butt," she laughed, almost covering her mouth with her hands.
"Who is Meredith?"
"A friend of my dad's."
"Just a friend of your dad's? Not a friend of your mom's?"
"Nope. Mom doesn't really like her. But I can't tell my dad that."
"Why doesn't she like her?"
"Because she says she's very forgetful, loses her panties everywhere."
Miriam raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"Do you know what 'losing your panties' means?"
"Yes, when you lose your panties."
"Okay..."
"I always lose my socks... and sometimes I wear one of each color because I can't find the other."
"Okay, going back to the previous topic. What about your knees? Are they okay?"
"Mmm... I have a bruise here because I fell from a tree," she showed her.
"You fell from a tree?"
"Yeah. I like to climb. I live in the woods. And there are a lot of trees."
"In the woods? What do you mean by living in the woods?"
"Yeah! In Seattle. It's very far from here, you have to take a plane to get there."
"But do you live in a house?"
"Yes. My house has two floors."
"And what were your parents doing when you fell from the tree?"
"Dad was at the hospital and Mom was changing Arley's diaper, who pooped," she laughed.
"Was your dad at the hospital?"
"Yeah, he is a neurosurgeon and he is the chief. And he has a chair that spins in his office!
"And your mother?"
"She is a surgeon for babies and pregnant women! She can operate on babies before and after they're born!"
"But were you alone when you fell from the tree? Wasn't anyone watching you?"
"Yes, my aunt Amelia was."
"Your aunt Amelia... is she a sister of one of your parents?"
"Yes, my dad's. She's the youngest sister, but he has three more."
"What was your aunt Amelia doing when you fell?"
"She was secretly smoking a cigarette from my dad. But you can't say anything because it's a secret."
"Oh... does she keep secrets with you?"
"Yes."
"What kind of secrets?"
"I can't say, it's a secret." She raised an eyebrow. Did this woman think she was stupid?
"It's true, you're right. But these secrets... are any of them involved with you?"
"How?" She tilted her head, not understanding what she meant.
"Does she do things to you? Does she ask you not to tell your parents about what she does?"
"Yes, because Dad gets angry."
"Ollie... that's what they call you, right? Ollie?"
"Yes, but my dad also calls me Ols."
"Ollie, has your aunt Amelia ever hit you?"
"No."
"Has she given you alcohol or some strange drink?"
"Umm... she once gave me a strawberry smoothie with mustard. Because it was April Fool's Day and she wanted to play a prank on me. It was horrible!"
"Has your aunt ever touched you?"
"Yes, obviously, many times."
Miriam opened her eyes wide, amazed at the naturalness with which the girl said it.
"What has she done to you? How has she touched you?"
"She hugged me. Or she held my hand... or she picked me up when I fell from the tree."
Miriam sighed in relief.
"Do you love your aunt Amelia?"
"Yes, I love her. She's my godmother. And she brings me chocolate ice cream... or caramel popcorn."
"Does she take care of you often?"
"Yes, sometimes. We always play, but she never lets me win at anything. She always cheats and lies so that I lose."
Miriam mentally noted Olive's answers, but she had to make sure to consider different aspects that could indicate neglect.
"Olive, do you go to kindergarten? Do you have friends to play with?"
The girl smiled openly and nodded.
"Yes, I go to kindergarten, but this year I'll start elementary school. I'm going to be a big girl just like Tucker and I'll be able to multiply numbers! And I'll be able to participate in the science fairs that the kids do!"
"That sounds very fun."
"Yes! With my friend Jenny, we're going to be in the same class and we're going to sit together too. We're going to learn many new things."
Miriam noticed the spark in Olive's eyes as she talked to her about school and her friends, which further convinced her that the girl was not suffering from domestic abuse or neglect.
"Are you happy, Ollie?"
"Yep."
"Do you like the family you live in?"
"Yes, I like it a lot."
"How did you feel when your sister was born?"
"Umm..."
"Were you happy or a little jealous?"
"Both."
"Do you love her?"
"Yes. She's my little sister."
"Do you feel that your parents' treatment towards you has changed since your sister was born?"
"Umm..."
"Do they treat you differently now?"
"Yes. They pay more attention to her because she's a baby. Mom is always with her and she hardly ever plays with me... but Aunt Amelia told me it's because she's still very little, but when she grows up she won't need mom so much."
"And how does that make you feel?"
"Umm... I don't know. Sometimes I feel bad... because they yell at me and punish me. But it's because I misbehave..."
"Do they punish you a lot?"
"Not so much anymore."
"Do they hit you?"
"No."
"Have they never hit you?"
"No."
"And what are the punishments like?"
"They don't let me eat sweets play video games, or watch TV. Or invite friends over... or go to a friend's house."
"But even so, do they treat you well? Do you feel loved?"
"Yes, they love me. And Arley too. Mom says we are the most special thing she has."
"And do you love them?"
"Yes. Very much. And my grandparents too. And my aunts. I have four aunts and an uncle. And I have twenty cousins. And my friends. And my godfather Mark. And Sofia. And Bailey, and Callie, and Arizona. And Richard. And..."
"Do you love them all?"
"Yes, they are my family. I love them."
Miriam smiled and ended the interview. She had the necessary information.
"I really appreciate you sharing this with me, Olive, said Miriam kindly. "I needed to make sure you were safe and well cared for. It seems your parents love you very much and care about you."
Olive smiled shyly.
The woman got up from the bed and leaned towards the little girl, extending her hand to offer her a handshake.
"Thank you for your time, Ollie. If you ever need to talk or have any concerns, don't hesitate to tell me. I'm here to help you."
~•~
"Addie, you have to calm down. It's a friendly interview. It's mostly for protocol, they won't ask Olive anything in depth. And if they do, there's nothing to fear. We're good parents... we've made mistakes, yes. But we're human. All parents, all humans, make mistakes. The social worker knows how to differentiate a situation of child abuse from a domestic accident," said Derek, moving his right leg up and down to entertain Arleth who was sitting on top of him.
"What kind of parents make the small mistake of letting their six-year-old daughter get alcohol poisoning? Only the worst!" she covered her face with both hands. They were waiting in one of the hospital corridors.
"The Captain had you mixing alcoholic drinks at the age of eight, Addison. That was worse."
"My parents are not the example of good parents either. I wish they had taken away my custody."
"Don't say that. You know that orphanages are not exactly the best place for a child."
"That's why I don't want my daughters to end up there!" she began to cry, distressed.
"They won't go to an orphanage... in the worst case, Olive will go with Mark and Amelia, and Arleth with Nancy and John. Each with their respective godparents."
"And is that better?" she took her hands off her face to look at him.
"I don't know..." he pretended to laugh. The image of Amelia and Mark taking care of Olive amused him.
"I feel nauseous, I'm going to vomit," she put a hand on her stomach.
"Relax, Addie. Stop worrying, it's not doing you any good. Arley, tell Mommy to calm down," he said, looking at the baby, who was focused on playing with her father's jeans pocket.
"I can't stop worrying. My daughter is hospitalized and being questioned by a social worker. How do you expect me to calm down? How can you be so calm?"
"It's because I'm convinced that nothing will happen. We are good parents, Olive is a good girl. We won't lose her. Tomorrow we'll be back in Seattle, and we'll return to our routines. Everything else will be just a crazy story from New York."
Addison looked at him angrily. Was he really saying that? Just another crazy story?
Unexpectedly, the door opened and Miriam came out. Addison and Derek quickly got up from their seats and went to her.
"And? What happened?" she asked, anxious.
"Olive is a very intelligent and funny girl. What brought her here was an unfortunate accident that happened on her birthday, which I hope will never happen again. Otherwise, there will be legal interventions."
"It will never happen again," affirmed Addison.
"Congratulations on the girl you have. She is very loved. She is a happy and mischievous girl."
"Thank you," they both answered at the same time, with a certain relief in their voices.
Miriam nodded and left, walking down the exit hallway.
"I told you..." Derek teased, gently pushing her.
"Oh, shut up," she laughed, wiping away the tears that had inevitably escaped from her eyes.
~•~
As all the tests went well and Olive's progress was favorable, she was discharged from the hospital in the afternoon. Addison and Derek brought her back to the hotel where they were staying and began to pack their things while Olive played on her mother's cell phone. The next day, they'd board a plane to Seattle, returning to normalcy.
Apart from their daughter's tragic birthday, it had been a very good mini vacation for both of them, helping them to disconnect from the problems of the West Coast. The paternal family was finally able to meet the baby and spend some lovely moments with her. Olive also had a lot of fun with her cousins and was able to do various activities with them during those days.
They said goodbye to all the relatives that morning when they went to visit Olive at the hospital, promising to return soon and stay longer.
Olive was somewhat sad to leave, but she tried not to think about it. She was playing a very interesting video game on her mother's cell phone until the screen went dark gray, indicating an incoming call.
"Hello?" she answered.
"Dear, hello. Happy birthday. I couldn't reach you yesterday and your mother didn't answer my calls."
"Thanks, Bizzy!"
"How are you? Have you had a good birthday?"
"I don't know, I was in the hospital. I got poked with a needle and had an IV!"
"Oh, I'm so sorry. What happened?"
"I drank some alcoholic drinks that were at my grandma Carolyn's house. But I didn't do it on purpose! I thought they were magic potions to go to the magical world!"
"Goodness."
"And then I threw up. Three times! And my mom and dad took me to the hospital in New York. And I slept in the hospital until they let me go. My hand still hurts, I think I'm getting a bruise..."
"Wait, are you in New York?"
"Yup. We're at the hotel now."
"Your mother didn't tell me anything..."
"Do you wanna talk to her?"
"If it's not too much trouble, yes. I'd like you to pass me to her for a second."
"Okay."
"I'm glad to hear that you're feeling better, dear."
"Thanks, Bizzy. MOOOOOOM!" she shouted loudly, stunning her grandmother on the other end of the line.
"What's wrong?" Addison said in the distance.
"Phone for you!" she ran to her side.
"Who is it?" she asked as she quickly brought it to her ear, busy trying to take an earring from Arleth's hands. The baby was at that stage where she grabbed everything and opening her fist was practically mission impossible.
"Grandma," said Olive, and quickly ran off.
"Hello?" Addison asked, puzzled.
"Oh, dear. Hello. I can finally reach you."
"Bizzy? Why are you calling?"
"I wanted to wish my granddaughter a happy birthday. Don't be so rude, Addison."
"I..."
"I didn't know you were in New York. Since you didn't come at the end of the year, I thought you wouldn't be back until the next holidays."
"It was a quick trip, mostly to make up for Christmas for Olive..."
"The girl was in the hospital?"
"Yes, a little mishap... but she's fine now. Better than ever."
"I'm glad to hear that. So, when will you be coming to Connecticut?"
"Excuse me?"
"Tell me when you'll be around here and I'll have the staff prepare your rooms."
"Bizzy, we're not coming. We were only here for a few days, we're going back to Seattle tomorrow."
"When are you coming back? I'd like to see the girls."
"I don't know."
"Can the grandparents come to the hotel?" Olive asked, approaching her mother.
"No. You have to go take a shower, go ask Dad to help you," she took the phone away from her mouth.
"But I took a shower yesterday at the hospital!"
"BAA BAA!"
"Go take a shower again."
"Can I say something else to Grandma?"
"No. To the shower. Now."
"BUT MOM!"
"BAA BAA! BAA BAA!"
"Will you come for Easter?" Bizzy asked, still on the phone.
"I-I don't..."
"WAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" Arleth started to cry.
"Bizzy, I have to go. The girls need me. I'm sorry. We'll talk another time. Goodbye."
Addison didn't wait to hear her mother's response. She quickly hung up, thankful that Arleth had started crying at that moment.
"Who was it?" Derek asked, seeing Addison's pale face. He was coming out of the bathroom.
She simply shook her head.