Starting Now (Blossom Street #9)(76)

They chatted for a few more minutes and exchanged a bit of hospital gossip. Libby ended the call when she was buzzed by her shared receptionist.

“Yes,” Libby said.

“There’s someone here to see you. She said she didn’t have an appointment.”

“Ah, sure.” A client was a client. Libby left her desk and opened her office door to find Casey Goetz sitting in the waiting area. The teen flipped through a magazine until she noticed Libby.

“Casey?”

“Oh, hi.” Casey set aside the magazine, stood, and, with an I-told-you-so smile at the receptionist, followed Libby into the office. “Mom said you’d gotten your own office. Cool.” She looked around the room and nodded as though she approved.

Libby had been talking to Ava every couple of days on the phone just to make sure everything was okay. Ava’s doctor appointment was scheduled for early the following week—the earliest date the social worker had been able to get.

“Casey, this is a nice surprise. I understand you’re here on official business. What can I do for you?”

Casey looked surprised, as though it should be apparent. “I’ve come to hire you.”

Well, this was certainly interesting. Libby sat down and Casey took a chair, too. “Are you having legal troubles?” Libby asked, half-joking.

“No, I’m actually here on Ava’s behalf.”

“Of course.” Libby was grateful that Ava had a friend like Casey. She knew they chatted nearly every day after Darlene Carmichael left for work. “How can I help you … and Ava?” Libby inquired.

Casey sat up straighter. “We talked and Ava has decided that she wants to give the baby up for adoption.” She reached for her purse and took out her wallet. “Ava thought it might cost money. I have my allowance saved up so I told her I would pay you … if necessary.” She held on to her purse with both hands.

“Has Ava’s grandmother accepted the truth that Ava’s pregnant?” Libby asked.

“Not yet.”

Well, Mrs. Carmichael would be facing facts soon enough.

“Can you help Ava with the … adoption?”

“What I can do,” Libby said, “is refer her to an agency.” She’d thought the social worker might have brought up the subject, but now she realized that the woman wouldn’t be able to do that until after Ava’s condition had been confirmed.

“How much will that cost?” Casey had her hand on her wallet, ready to take out the cash and pay Libby a retainer.

“Actually, that service is free.”

“Free?”

“Referrals are free,” Libby emphasized. She was touched by Casey’s resourcefulness.

“Oh.” The teenager’s shoulders relaxed, as though she was relieved.

“I can make a list of phone numbers for Ava or even make the calls myself on her behalf.”

Casey nodded. “I think it would be best if you made the calls; Ava feels it’s best for someone else …” She hesitated, and then added, “to take the baby.”

Libby was relieved by Ava’s decision. She realized it must have been a difficult choice for the young teenager. As Libby and Ava talked regularly, she was surprised Ava had asked Casey to approach her about this, especially in light of the fact that they’d even discussed Ava’s options concerning the baby.

“How’s Ava doing?” Libby asked. She’d talked to her the day before, but Casey might have an entirely different perspective.

“Okay, I guess, although she doesn’t leave the house now. She says you’ve brought her books and yarn and stuff and … and I think that’s great. Ava needs you.”

It was funny that Casey should say that, because Libby was thinking how much pleasure she got in helping the teenager. Ava reminded Libby of herself at that age—uncertain, lonely, and lost. They talked quite a bit about what it meant to be without a mother. Libby hoped to encourage Ava.

“Ava trusts you. She’s hoping …” Casey looked away and didn’t finish the sentence.

“What is she hoping?” Libby asked.

Casey squared her shoulders. “When Ava said she wanted to give her baby up for adoption she also said she felt odd giving her baby to strangers.”

“I agree that it’s a difficult decision.” But certainly it was the right one. The teen was little more than a child herself. Taking on the responsibility of raising a baby was beyond Ava’s emotional and mental capabilities, Libby believed.

“It was hard for her.”

“I know.” Libby would phone Ava again in the morning and together the two of them could go over the list of adoption agencies. “I’ll talk to Ava about this myself,” Libby promised. “She doesn’t need to worry about her baby. She’ll have the opportunity to read over the profiles of the families looking to adopt. The social worker will help her and she can actually choose the family.”

“She can choose herself?” Casey’s eyes brightened. “That’s great, because she already has someone in mind.”

Ava hadn’t mentioned this to Libby. “Really?”

Casey beamed at her. “Can you call her?”

“You mean right now?”

The girl nodded.