Free Becoming Ellen by Shari Shattuck Page A

“Were you speaking to me? I don’t believe we’ve met. My name is Temerity and I’m blind.”
    â€œNo, I mean, I know, but she . . . that is, I think . . . Say the kid’s name again.”
    â€œLydia? Oh!” Temerity exclaimed, and her mouth dropped open. “Oh my goodness, I think her hand twitched. Maybe it was a muscle spasm.” Temerity stood up now and leaned closer over Maddy Carson’s chest, missing the head by a good bit, but who could fault her? “Maddy? I want you to know that we’re going to find out where Lydia is and make sure she’s okay. Do you understand?”
    But as hard as Ellen focused, and as tightly as Temerity held the hand, there didn’t seem to be any response. They were both so intent on the patient in the bed that they were completely startled when someone spoke sharply behind them. “Can I help you?”
    Ellen dropped, disappearing behind the curtain and bed. Temerity turned in her chair and let go of Maddy’s hand. From the doorway of the ward, a nurse was regarding her sternly.
    Temerity answered. “Oh, no, thank you. I just came to visit a friend.”
    â€œDid you sign in?” the nurse asked, and Ellen could hear her coming closer. Then there were two sets of footsteps. Someone was with her.
    â€œNo, I didn’t see anyone.” Temerity pointed to her eyes. “I’m sorry. I’ll go now.”
    Through a tiny slit between the curtains, Ellen watched the nurse—who was wearing scrubs in a shade of purple that could only be described as
blatant
—as she arrived at the bed. Behind the nurse was the social worker Ellen had seen with Lydia in the emergency room. Serena, she had said her name was.
    Serena stepped efficiently up to Temerity. “Ma’am, do you know this woman?”
    â€œYou mean Maddy?” Temerity asked.
    The social worker squinted at Temerity. “So you do know her.”
    â€œWe’ve just been introduced.” Temerity was looking amused. Ellen knew she was pleased she had guessed the nickname correctly.
    Suspicion deepened Serena’s permanent frown. “Then how do you know she’s called Maddy?”
    â€œWell, I assumed, actually. Madeline is kind of a mouthful. How do
you
know? Has she woken up?” Temerity asked so hopefully that Serena’s restrictive nature seemed temporarily disarmed and she actually answered.
    â€œNo. Her daughter told me.”
    â€œI’m Temerity Bauer. My roommate, uh, knew her. Well, to be more accurate, she was on the bus with her when the accident occurred. She’s the one who helped her daughter, Lydia, and so, naturally, we were curious to know how her mom was doing. And
you
are?” Temerity leaned forward slightly and canted her head. “Sorry, but I’m not very good with faces.” Temerity’s mouth slanted to match her head, in a sarcastic line.
    â€œSerena Hoffman, I’m the social worker assigned to this case. I’m asking if you knew Ms. Carson because, as yet, we’ve been unable to locate any family members or close friends who might be willing to assume custody of her daughter.”
    Well,
thought Ellen,
at least she doesn’t beat around the bush.
    But why was it that
efficient
was so often synonymous with
cold
?
    Temerity answered, “I wish I could, but I can’t help you with that. How is Lydia? Where is she?”
    The suspicion slipped back in. “She’s fine. I’m sorry, but if you aren’t family I can’t discuss her case with you. I hope you understand.”
    Temerity straightened her head and nodded. “I think I do.”
    The nurse’s mouth was pursed tightly in disapproval as she watched this exchange. “Well,” she said perfunctorily, turning to Serena Hoffman. “If this young lady will kindly allow you to have her seat, I’ll close the curtains and you can have a minute to write your