"How is he today?" Doug Duncan asked the old doctor sitting across from him . They both sat in the doctors private office talking about Duncan's most recent case . A boy beaten so badly by his mother that even the paramedic threw up after coming to the bloody scene .
The doctor pushed up his glasses and opened the case file, sliding it to Mr Duncan . "Here's the latest updates . We're at the six month mark now . All fractures, bumps and bruises are healed over . Rehab went well . No setbacks . The physical scars aren't so noticeable anymore . " He sighed . "The mental scars are the real problem . According to his psychiatrist, he still hasn't spoken . A nod here and there is all we can really get from him . "
Mr . Duncan nodded . "It's the same on our side . The trauma is still recent so it's understandable . " He closed the file and slid it into his briefcase . "We're going to move him next week . "
Advertisement"To an orphanage or a group home?" The doctor frowned . "Although I've said that he's recovered, I would recommend that he would be closely monitored in case issues arise . Injuries that were so severe might affect his growth in the future . "
Mr . Duncan grimaced at the thought of the kid's injuries . "No, as the ward of the state, I've petitioned him to be placed with a foster family up north . We have a lead on the boy's father, but aren't too sure . " He stood up and the doctored followed suit . They shook hands and gave tight smiles . "Under the circumstances, it's hard to say it's been nice working with you, but at least you've made it easy on me . Thank you . "
The doctor nodded sympathetically . "Good luck to you and to the boy . He's had a rough start . "
Mr . Duncan sighed and left the office, closing the door behind him . As a social worker, he's use to working with doctors reporting child abuse cases, but not one as serious as this, where the mother was charged with attempted murder . He walked down the hall to get outside to make a call .
"Hello?" A woman's pleasant voice answered on the first ring .
"Mrs . Atkins? Doug Duncan here . Have you read the case file I sent over?" He asked .
"Oh, hi Doug . Please call me Mary . And yes, my husband and I have both looked over the case file . That poor boy . We have talked about it and agreed that he needs our help . We already told our boys about the new addition and readied a room for him . "
Mr . Duncan sighed with relief . "Thank you Mary . I wish all my emergency foster families were as kind as you guys . I'll be bringing him over this weekend if you're all set then?"
"That will be just fine . It'll just be my youngest and me at home this weekend so it won't be too overwhelming, I hope . My youngest is also fourteen so I'm sure they'll get along as well . "
"I wouldn't expect any trouble . Jake hasn't really even communicated with others so it's hard to say . "
"He isn't talking?"
"Not really . A word here and there . A local psychiatrist will work with him once we get him settled in with you guys . I know it's not easy to take in a teenage boy that you don't even know, but you can reach out to me at any time for help . "
"No worries, Doug . This is what we signed up for . To help kids in need . Jake is a bit older than the ones we usually get, but my four boys are all near his age and I'm sure that'll help him . "
"Thanks again, Mary . I'll send you the details via email, but you can expect me to bring him by Saturday morning . "
Chapter end
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