that for Ruby. She couldn’t lose this chance.
The elevator doors opened, and Mateo ushered her forward. They walked down a long hallway to an unmarked door. Mateo rapped on it and took a step back. An older man with graying hair and a beard answered. He extended a hand to Mateo, who shook it. “Mr. Lopez, on time as always.”
The man turned to her. “Ms. Kosinski. I’m Judge Frederick Bond, welcome.”
She put her hand in his.
With a broad sweep of his arm, he stepped back and allowed them to enter his chambers. They found Brittney sitting in a chair in front of a massive desk. The judge moved behind it and indicated the other empty chair. Page took a seat while Mateo stood behind her. Judge Bond opened a manila folder and perused the paperwork. He glanced up to peer at her. She folded her hands in her lap and prayed that she looked trustworthy. After reading through the file, he closed it and spoke to Brittney. “Has the state reached a recommendation on Ms. Kosinski’s application for emergency foster-care placement?”
“The state has, Your Honor.” Brittney perched on the edge of her chair. “We believe that she is an excellent candidate to receive the minor, Ruby Wilson, into her care. As you can see from her application, she is employed as a nurse at Detroit General and can provide for the physical and emotional needs of the child. She has prepared her home for this placement. We believe she also has a strong support network of friends who will help her if she needs it.” Brittney pointed to the file. “Ruby has written her own statement as well, indicating her desire to live with Ms. Kosinski.”
The judge perused more of the file. “I understand the minor is pregnant and two months from delivery. Are you prepared to take on the responsibility of an infant as well?”
Page nodded. “Yes, Your Honor. Although she hasn’t decided what she plans to do once the baby arrives.”
The judge looked at Page. “And how are you feeling?”
Mateo cleared his throat. “Dr. Frazier is prepared to testify that Ms. Kosinski is in good physical condition to care for a minor.”
The judge put a finger on his upper lip and rubbed it. “I was asking your client.”
They all turned to face her. She gave a nod. “Today is a good day for me, Your Honor.”
“And how much longer will you be receiving chemotherapy treatments?”
“Hopefully another month or two, and then the doctor will assess how well I’m doing.” She took a deep breath. “I understand you may have reservations regarding my cancer, but please let me state that it won’t interfere with being able to take care of Ruby or her baby.”
“Good. And why are you applying to be her foster mother?”
“In my application—”
Judge Bond held up his hand. “I read what you wrote there, but I want to hear it from your own mouth. Why are you pursuing this, Ms. Kosinski? Is it the monthly stipend you’d receive from the state? Or are you one of those do-gooders with their hearts on their sleeves trying to save the world?”
“I’m only trying to save one girl. Ruby.” Page took a deep breath, trying to sort out what she should say to convince him. She decided on the truth and pulled out the sheet of paper where she’d written her thoughts earlier. “Given different circumstances, I might have been her when I was her age. I know what it’s like to have no one and to wish that someone would see me. I’ve gone hungry and lived on the streets a time or two. I don’t want that life for her. I want her to feel loved and cared for. Her and her baby.”
Mateo put a hand on her shoulder and gripped it lightly. “Your Honor, Ms. Kosinski has a job that provides more than she needs. The stipend has no consideration on her decision to be a foster parent for Ruby.”
“And there is no family member who can step forward and take care of the girl?”
Page shook her head. “None she knows of. She’s quite alone.”
Judge Bond gave a short nod. “I’ve decided to grant you temporary custody of Ruby Wilson.” When Page smiled and clapped her hands together, he held up a finger. “Temporary only at this point, Ms. Kosinski. As it is, this is an emergency situation and the girl needs a home. In the meantime, I want a full investigation into her background to determine if there is no family member responsible for her. Until that time, Ms. Kosinski, you are granted full guardianship over her. If no relative is found, then we can discuss permanent placement.”
“Thank you, Your Honor.”
“Good luck, Ms. Kosinski. I have a feeling you’re going to need it.”
Page tamped down her excitement until they left the judge’s chambers, then she threw her arms around Mateo and hugged him. “Thank you.”
He tightened his arms around her. “I’m glad this went our way.”
She missed the closeness when he let go of her, but she turned to Brittney. “Thank you as well. I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you jumped on this so fast.”
“I’ll be reaching out to you once Ruby is released from the hospital. We’ll set up a time to interview her about her family. Also, I’ll be checking in randomly to be sure the placement is going well.”
Brittney nodded to Mateo and was soon out of sight.
Page couldn’t hold back her next question any longer. “Do you think we could go and tell Ruby now?”
Mateo’s smile was warm and wide. She was sure it mirrored her own. He drove them to the hospital and accompanied her to Ruby’s room. But when she pushed open the door, the room was empty. Page frowned and went to the nurse’s station. “Tiffany, where’s Ruby?”
The nurse shrugged. “She was released and left. The doctor didn’t see a reason to keep her any longer.”
Page turned to Mateo. “Where could she have gone?”
PAGE TRIED TO figure out where a girl with nowhere to go would flee. She sighed. “She couldn’t have gone far.” She sprinted for the hospital exit, Mateo on her heels.
“Page, let’s take a moment and think about this.”
She kept her pace quick. “No. The longer we wait, the farther she gets.” She was almost to the sliding glass doors. “I have to find her.”
“Maybe she doesn’t want to be found.”
“We all want to be found.” Page knew something about trying to hide but wishing someone would truly see her, to save her. Not that she had any illusions about saving Ruby. She only wanted to give the girl a chance.
Outside, she stopped and put her hands on her hips, surveying the area around them. Parking lot, cars, grassy quad and concrete sidewalks. Everything open. “If I wanted to get away and think, presumably, where would I go?”
“A park. A mall, maybe. Any place I wouldn’t stand out. I’d want to blend in, go unnoticed.”
