Chapter 5
Karen had arrived at the station at around four thirty with a now awake Sophie, the officers had tried to pull her off Karen, but when she started to scream and cry- they decided it wasn't worth it until Karen would have to make her statement with the detective. It broke her heart to hear Sophie cry so much, with all the commotion Karen was the only constant she knew- despite how brief. She couldn't imagine what this little girl was going through- it had been a rough night for herself, but Sophie had a long night on top of the abuse she had obviously gone through in her few short years.
She ran her fingers through her unruly blonde hair- the little head resting on Karen's shoulder, trying her best to keep Sophie calm. Karen could only do what she wished her mother would have done when she was feeling down. She saw the two officers headed her way, a woman in a suit walking ahead of them- Karen knew this woman was probably from Child Protection Services, here for Sophie.
“Hello, ma’am. My name is Ruth Walker, I'm from CPS and would love to get to know the little beauty you have in your arms a bit better….” Karen looked down at the girl in question, knowing this would most likely not go the way CPS wanted. All the commotion in the station was making her less social and unwilling to try even a little bit.
“Soph, c’mon… This nice lady wants to talk to you. Won't you please turn around?” All she got in response was a shake of the head that obviously meant ‘no’.
Karen decided it would be best if she did what she knew best, question this lady on all the information she had to give, “So Miss Walker, does Sophie have any family she’ll be going to tonight. From what I saw at the apartment, both of her parents are gone- anyone else?”
“Well when CPS was informed of the situation, we looked into any familial history Mr and Mrs Ryan might have- and unfortunately Sophie seems to have no one left. We’ll be looking to place her into foster care as soon as possible and then hopefully with how young she is she’ll be adopted as soon as possible.” As the older woman was saying this she started on the paperwork she would have to complete for Sophie’s case.
She looked down at Sophie and her heart squeezed with compassion, she was so attached already- how could she let Sophie stay with some stranger while she waited to be adopted, when Karen could offer some source of comfort and familiarity. “Well.. I mean I might not be super experienced, but if your looking for someone to foster her- I would be happy to do so.”
The woman looked up at that comment with soft eyes, “As much as I appreciate the offer, and would happily consider it- with Sophie being so young we will have to formally take her back to our official infant care system while paperwork is processed.” She saw Karen's face fall before quickly continuing, “However, as I will be Sophie’s case worker I will definitely consider the obvious bond Sophie has with you when considering a temporary solution. And should you still feel the same in a few days when the paperwork processes you should come back and we’ll try to work something out.”
She was happy at least that she wasn't completely inconsiderable candidate for fosterhood in regards to Sophie, but she still wasn't happy that she couldn't come back with her.
“But what about tonight, or the next few nights- she won't be with anyone she knows. Sophie will be all alone.”
“Not alone, she will be surrounded by other young children in situations similar to hers. But yes, she will not be with anyone she knows for the next few days- and I'll be frank with you, the next few days will be somewhat scary for little Sophie.” Ruth saw the girls head turn out from Miss Page’s shoulder, and saw the bruises and as she kept talking Sophie’s eyes filled with tears and her chin trembled.
She couldn't be certain but it seemed as thought Sophie somewhat understood the gist of the conversation, that she would soon have to let go of the only comfort she had left. So she squeezed Karen’s neck even tighter while her tears soaked Karen’s blouse.
Karen tried her best to gently nudge Sophie back so she could look into her eyes while she spoke, “Sophie, sweetie- I can't take you home with me, I'm sorry. But I'll come back for you, I promise.”
It killed her to look at the silent tears that tracked down her little cheeks, “No. Stay…”
“I want to, but your going to have to go with this nice lady- she’s going to keep you safe while I get everything ready to come back and get you, Soph.” Karen could barely hold back the tears herself, watching this adorable, helpless girl beg for her to stay- it was killing her.
After everything she had been through in her life she never thought about having kids, never thought she had room in her life a little kid. But here she was preparing to take on someone else's child because she couldn't control the squeeze this girl put on her soul.
“Look Ms Page, I think I should be honest with you- this transition is going to be hard. Both on you, and especially on her. I think it would be best for her if you said goodbye, handed her over and left as quick as possible. I want you to give me your number and I’ll give you mine and we’ll contact each other.” Ruth handed her card to Karen and in turn Karen gave hers back- before standing from her chair with Sophie in her arms. She held her and swayed for a few moments before trying to put her into Ruth’s arms.
She wasn't having it, you’d think with her being so young- it would be easy to transfer her from one adult to another. But Soph wasn't going down with ou a fight, and Karen could respect that. It didn't mean it hurt her any less, this was a sorry sight to see- and hear. She was crying and screaming her little head off, when she finally got her off and into Ruth’s arms- Sophie was thrashing about with her arms and legs kicking and hitting anything she could touch.
“Kare!!!!”
She left a kiss on her cheek, “I'll see you in a few days, Soph.”
“KARE!!”
She was walking away.
“COME BACK!!”
God this was killing her. Karen’s heart was breaking, she knew she would call Ruth as fast as she could. Leaving this little girl she had only known for a few hours was killing Karen to leave behind and she wasn't one hundred percent sure why, but she knew she would help little Sophie if she could.