A strange woman knocked on the door of the basement suite. Puzzled, Allison opened the door, "hello?"
"Hi," the woman said, "I'm Rachel Weins from the department of Social Services. Can I come in? Are you Allison Blouin?
"I am. Come in," Allison replied stepping aside, "what is this about?"
"There's been some concerns raised about your daughter Everly and I do need to speak to her as well as you and your husband," Rachel replied.
"What concerns," Allison asked.
"There's been reports of unusual bruising on Everly's legs and back," Rachel said, "that you were missing for a month, you are unemployed, some other little things that on their own wouldn't raise red flags but collected we are concerned."
"What are they," Allison asked.
"Denying family access to Everly," Rachel replied, "inappropriate morals being taught. Explicit language pertaining to genitalia ."
"Thank you for your concern," Allison replied, "Asher is just dropping Everly off at my sisters for a cousin's day with and will be home any minute. We're happy to answer any questions."
"Your sister, is she a fit care giver," Rachel asked.
"Grace is a mom of four and a paediatric cardiothoracic surgeon," Allison replied, " she runs peds cardio at Grey Sloan."
"Where were you for the month last," Rachel asked.
"I'm a full time medical student at the University of Washington," Allison explained, "in my third year. I was out of town from September 13 to October 15 to do my rural medicine clerkship in McCall Idaho. I have copies of my clerkship reports and my enrolment verification letter if you would like me to get them."
"Yes please," Rachel replied, this was an explanation that she could live with.
Allison grabbed her binder with all of her clinical information and hours logs. She showed Rachel her time in Idaho.
"What was your daughter told," Rachel asked.
"That I had to go away for school for the month and I would come back," Allison replied, "we face timed daily. Her and Asher came at the halfway point for a long weekend."
"Do you have documentation," Rachel asked.
Allison knew enough about the system to cooperate and hand the woman all the proof she needed.
"I have photos on my phone," Allison replied, "would you like to see them?"
Asher came in.
"What's going on," Asher asked, seeing that Allison was tense.
"Asher this is Rachel from social services someone phoned about Everly while I was away," Allison replied.
"Why," Asher asked.
"Mr Blouin," Rachel confirmed.
"Yea," Asher replied.
"There are some allegations that individually don't seem glaring on their own but combined I need to speak to both of you," Rachel said, "and they've been called in over about a six month period it's cumulative so now we need to check it out."
"Okay," Asher replied, "what are the concerns?"
"Allison was gone for a month which she has shown me documentation that she was on an academic trip so that concern is gone," Rachel said, "there is bruising that is concerning. Allison's unemployment, graphic language in relation to the human body, denying extended family visitation."
"Extended family we feel safe with have lots of time with Everly," Asher replied, "the person who does not have contact with her at all is my sister Renee because Renee physically assaulted Everly when Ev was three. There is a police report from that and hospital documentation of her injuries."
"Do you have copies," Rachel asked.
"I'll go get Everly's binders," Allison replied, "I have hard copies of every lab report, x ray and x ray report, MRI, everything. Dates for we went to physio and what was worked on as well as OT."
"My documentation skills from when Allison was away are not as flawless as my wife's but she has seen her medical team weekly since she was an infant," Asher replied.
"Medical team." Rachel asked.
"Everly has Cerebral Palsy, Hydrocephalus and a bicuspid aortic valve," Allison replied, "we have a very involved medical team."
"I was not aware of that," Rachel replied, "can I speak to her medical team?"
"Of course," Allison replied, "if you give me your email I'll get you their contact information. The leads are Dr Jenna Silverstone - McKellar and Dr Atticus Linchon at Grey Sloan; they've been treating her since she was an infant."
"Can I see the documentation you have," Rachel asked.
"I'll get the binder it's in our room," Allison replied.
While Allison was out of the room Asher asked, "who made the report."
"There were a few over a period of time," Rachel replied.
"Who," Asher asked.
"It's anonymous," Rachel replied, "I don't even have the name."
"My sister Renee has been trying to force our hand for a couple of years," Asher replied, 'to let her back into our lives."
"Can we have dates," Allison asked.
"In the last six months" Rachel replied.
"I would like specific dates," Allison pressed, "I understand you can not give the name of the person who reported. I've made reports myself but we need dates to know where to look to address your concerns."
"So I have a process," Rachel replied, "I work through Everly's medical records, I do a quick look around your home and speak to both of you independently as well as to Everly."
"Okay," Allison replied, "the question of explicit language, do you know what specific words were concerning?"
"My notes I revived said she was using the words penis, vagina and vulva," Rachel said.
"We taught her those words," Allison admitted, "they are the correct anatomical terms. We don't teach funny words for elbow or knee. She needs to know the correct name of body parts. She's six she knows the scientific names and that biological female have vaginas and males have penisis. We have discussed those are private parts and people need her permission to touch hers."
"How did she learn them," Rachel asked.
"Her own parts we've used the names since she was a baby and narrating diaper changes," Asher replied.
"Is she aware of sexual activity," Rachel asked.
"We've only told her that there's something special that adults who love each other do that helps a baby start to grow when she asked how her little cousin got inside her aunt," Allison replied, "she's seen us kiss but never more than that."
Asher watched Allison and how calm she was trying to be. She knew how to work with the system better than he did, she had learned more about it at school; they had been warned that parents of kids with disabilities would be checked on more frequently than parents of typical children given that people were more cautious with children they deemed more vulnerable.
"The bruising," Asher said, "is common with Ev. Her balance is weak, we are working on it with physio and OT. "
"I will need to speak to her medical team and to Everly," Rachel replied, "do you two mind if I have a look around?"
"Go for it," Allison said.
"Where would I find medications," Rachel asked.
"My synthroid and Celexa are in the cupboard over the kitchen sink along with Everly's prescription muscle relaxant and pain medication and Asher's Lexapro is there as well," Allison replied, "all over the counter medications are up there as well. Everly can't get it at all. Cleaning products are on the top shelf of the hall closet."
"Okay," Rachel replied, "can you two step outside."
"Of course," Allison replied.
They slipped shoes on and slipped outside clinging to each other. Rachel looked around the suite and found nothing concerning, the medications and cleaning supplies were where Allison had said they were. The only thing she could really see is that Everly's bed wasn't made and there were some toys scattered around the room.
"Mr and Mrs Blouin," Rachel said, "I can't see anything concerning in your home."
"I apologise for the mess in Ev's room," Allison said, "we had a busy morning and didn't get to clean up time yet."
"It's a few toys," Rachel said, "it's not a concern. Your home is clean, anything that you would want to supervise a child with are out of reach of a six year old. As she gets older I'd assume those things will move?"
"We're here for another year and a bit," Asher said, "when Allison begins her residency as a doctor we'll move to where she matches and then we'll evaluate putting things in other spots then."
"How long have you lived here," Rachel asked.
"The Christmas we were 18 so 6 years now," Allison said, "my parents are upstairs, I've always lived in this house."
"Why did you move here then," Rachel asked.
"When I first got pregnant Ash lived in the guest room down here that's now our room and Ev's was my dad's office," Allison said, 'but once she was born and all three of us were up in my childhood room my parents decided to put the suite in and offer it to us. We do pay rent and utilities."
"So next steps," Rachel said, "I do need to see Everly but can come back on Monday and talk to her. I will also have to follow up with her medical team to confirm your story."
"Of course," Allison replied, "but what about us? Is there an ongoing investigation?"
"Speaking with the two of you today has really settled most of my concerns," Rachel said, "I do need to follow up on the bruising."
"The language concern," Asher asked.
"You taught her scientific language and your reasoning is sound," Rachel said, "and it's not all family that are denied access? Just to confirm it's only one of Asher's siblings."
"Renee," Allison replied, "we are cautious with his family after the incident and Everly does not go with them without us. One of us must be present around his parents or siblings because of the history. There is the incident with Renee where we did press charges as well as several incidents of harassment and bullying due to her CP so we are not allowing her to be alone with the,"
"What about Allison's family," Rachel asked.
"She sees them daily and has alone time with them," Asher replied.
Teddy getting Allison's text had picked up Everly and brought her home, she walked the little girl into the basement.
"No strangers," Everly whined.
"Yes Ev," Teddy replied, "come on I'll walk in with you."
"Carry me," Everly begged.
"You're getting big but I can this time," Teddy agreed, while Everly was slim it appeared she would be tall like her parents.
"Hello," Rachel greeted, "is your name Everly."
Everly looked to Allison and Asher.
"Ev this is Ms Rachel," Allison said, "she's safe. Dad and I have been talking to her and now it's your turn. We're going to go upstairs with Grandma and Grandpa and you can come get us when you're done."
"I don't want to be alone," Everly said.
"You have to for this princess," Asher said, "you are safe."
"Dad and I are just upstairs," Allison assured.
Allison and Asher sat upstairs with Teddy and Owen in tense silence.
"We'll talk later," Owen said, "when we're alone. Ask Ava to come get Everly she's a peds nurse. Be very careful of who you allow to babysit."
"It's only ever family, Ava or the odd time Eden and Jonah and Eden is a teacher," Allison said.
"Never with Olivia," Teddy asked.
"I watch Max the odd time but no she doesn't watch Ev she's too overwhelmed with Max," Allison answered.
"Just cooperate," Teddy advised, "don't fight her on anything. If she asks for it you give it to her. Bank statements, credit card bills, tax returns, medical records. We had to to adopt Leo."
"I already gave her the medical binders and my proof from my rural placement," Allison said, 'someone said I disappeared."
"Would your parents have know about Allison being out of town," Teddy asked Asher.
"I told my dad why we were going to McCall," Asher replied, "but I didn't expect it to cause problems. I've gone for 8 weeks before to work."
"Mommy, daddy," Everly yelled at the bottom of the stairs.
Allison and Asher ran back down.
"So I don't think I'll need to come back," Rachel said, "I will set up a time for you two to meet me in my office once I've spoken to her school and medical team. I would like to take the medical binders with me."
"Those are my originals," Allison replied, "can we scan in and email you the documents? I would like to keep our originals if possible."
"I do need them but will make copies in my office and return them to you at our meeting," Rachel said, "I need to make sure you're not altering the documents."
"I understand the importance of clear and accurate medical records," Allison replied.
"I really hope this is just checking boxes," Rachel said, "my look around your house, my talks with you and Everly I think it is. I do have to follow up with her doctors and the school."
"And the person who made the complaint," Asher asked.
"Is anonymous," Rachel said, "they will not get the outcome of my report either. I really think you are good parents. You were very young when she was born but Everly is happy and cared for."
"But I don't like spinach," Everly said.
"Not every one does," Allison agreed, "I know you don't like when auntie Annie makes it but her family likes it."
"I will be in touch," Rachel said, 'try not to stress."
"In terms of follow up," Allison asked.
"Two to three weeks and we'll sit down again," Rachel replied, "in this case no news is good news. If there is anything to be concerned about we will come up with an action plan. That being said if we get another call I will have to do a deeper investigation."
"We understand," Allison replied, "and if the things that you were called about prove to be false what happens to the person who called it in."
"As I don't have their name or contact information nothing," Rachel said, 'but there will be a note in the file."
Once Rachel left Allison took Everly for a walk with Owen and Charlie while Asher called his parents.
"Renee called CPS on us," Asher yelled when his dad picked up.
"What," Mark gasped.
"We just had a social worker visit us," Asher replied, "interview all three of us and look around the house, she took copies of Ev's medical records. We've been accused of abuse. You wouldn't know anything about that would you?"
"I know Renee is bitter that she can't have contact with Everly or Mitch's kids," Mark said, "she can't see her nieces and nephew."
"Her choices," Asher replied, "she has yet to complete the courses she needed to see Everly. I'm surprised the courts haven't followed up on that. Dad she was charged with child abuse and endagerment. I will not let her see Everly."
"Your mom and I have concerns about the words Everly knows for her private parts," Mark said.
"No," Asher replied, "you don't get to question our parenting there. We taught Everly the correct anatomical terms from the time she was a baby."
"What about activities between husbands and wives," Mark asked.
"She is aware that mom and dad kiss and like time alone sometimes," Asher said, "she has asked how babies are made so I think Allie told her that theres something special adults do that helps a baby start to grow in the mom's tummy. Allie usually does those discussions."
"So she's been taught by a medical student," Mark asked.
"Yes," Asher said, "dad if Renee did this and called we are done. We will not be manipulated and have things twisted like this. If you can not respect Allie and I enough to parent our child and respect that we want to keep a known abuser away from her we will further distance ourselves from you and mom."
"Asher," Mark gasped.
"I will fight for Allie and Everly," Asher replied, 'I will protect my daughter and my wife."
While Everly played on the accessible playground Allison sat on a bench with Owen.
"Dad what if they take her," Allison asked.
"They won't," Owen said, "they won't have enough evidence. You and Asher are great parents. Everly is safe, loved and well cared for. She's a happy girl."
"Someone complained about me going away," Allison said.
"It was a business trip," Owen said, "it's normal for parents to go away for work."
"Dad they don't think I'm a good enough parent for my daughter," Allison said, 'that I'm not a good mom."
"You are,' Owen said, 'you have been since she was a baby."
"Then why," Allison asked.
"I don't know," Owen said.
"They said bruises but she's always bruised," Allison , "her balance and her braces plus she bruises like I do."
"I know," Owen said, 'someone who doesn't know her history might worry about the frequency."
"They said denying family the ability to see her," Allison said, 'it's only Renee Blouin we will not see under any circumstances. We see Mark and Michelle in public or at our place. We see Mitch's family every couple weeks."
"Renee," Owen said.
"I think so," Allison replied, 'but what if they decide I'm not a fit parent."
"I don't think they will," Owen said, 'we see so many abuse cases in the pit she doesn't fit the profile. You see so many doctors and therapists that if anything was off it would have been caught."
"Dad what if," Allison asked.
"You fight with everything you have," Owen said, 'and mom and I will fight with you."
"I don't know what to do or to think," Allison said, "and I'm still on an antidepressant I have been since I was 17."
"So," Owen said, 'you have also seen a counsellor and psychiatrist. You've take the steps to treat it and the medication treats a chemical imbalance. You've been on a stable dose for years."
"Why can't they respect us," Allison asked.
"I don't know," Owen said, "I wish they did. I've been waiting for them to respect you for the last 7 years."
"How do I make them respect me," Allison said, "I don't know what I do wrong."
"It's what mom and I did," Owen said, 'that we wouldn't let you get married at 17 when you were pregnant. You weren't ready to make that decision and mom and I weren't going to make that one for you by giving our permission. You had to decide what you wanted your relationship to look like for yourselves."
"Thank you for letting us choose," Allison said.
"It has to be your choice," Owen said, 'and we really fought them more than you and Asher knew. They called and pestered but we didn't budge. They weren't considering the three of you. You were so scared and so young that mom and I had to be your voice. We fought for you like you fight for Ev. Allison I'm sure this will all show what we know that you and Ash are great parents."
"Are you sure," Allison asked.
"I am," Owen said.