Charlotte nodded. “But they would have to transfer her to Chapel Hill for the transplant. It’s a special hospital for bone marrow and stuff.”

Of course, Fallen Springs wasn’t without good hospitals, but larger cities would be more equipped to deal with this. “I think I may have a plan.”

Lauren took the old-fashioned phone book from her desk. All three girls stared at it as though they’d never laid eyes on one. Maybe they hadn’t. Quickly, she found the main number for Appalachian Regional. As soon as they answered, she asked to be connected to the nurses’ station on the second floor; she knew that that was the floor for cancer patients.

“Second floor. How may I help you?” a pleasant female voice asked.

Good question, Lauren thought. She was going to wing it and hope for the best. “I’m calling about my friend, Lee Hessinger.” She paused. “She’s supposed to be released this evening. ”

“Hold, please,” said the woman on the other end.

While Lauren was on hold, she tried to recall what little she knew about leukemia, and it wasn’t much, but she knew the immune system was in play, and you had to avoid infections, people with colds or flu.

“May I have your name?” the pleasant woman asked when she returned to the phone.

“Lauren Montgomery.”

“One moment, please.” Lauren was placed on hold again.

“Hello,” a soft voice said, and it wasn’t the nurse. “Charlotte?”

“Lee, this is Lauren. From Razzle Dazzle,” she said. “Charlotte and her friends are here at the store.”

“Oh, yes, she said she’d personally tell you thank you for the afghan and scarf. It’s lovely, Lauren. Charlotte told me that you gave this to her, and I’m so appreciative. They keep the hospital so cold. It seems I’m cold all the time now.”

Lauren could tell that Lee was short of breath. “Charlotte told me about the leukemia, and I’m so sorry. I can’t begin to imagine how you must feel.”

“I’ve had better days,” Lee said, a defeated note in her tone, one Lauren identified as hopelessness.

“You’re leaving the hospital today?” Lauren asked.

“I am,” Lee replied. “I need to be home for Charlotte. She’s been staying with Kiley and Lacey off and on. I know it’s hard on her, especially this time of year.”

This was terrible. The girls forgot to mention this. “What about Charlotte’s father? Is he unable to care for her?” She knew this wasn’t her business, but she needed to know in order to help Charlotte and Lee.

“He was never in the picture much. We divorced when Charlotte was a baby,” Lee explained. “It’s been just the two of us ever since.”

Lauren glanced at the girls, who remained on the sofa sipping their cocoa. She wanted to ask more questions but could tell that Lee was struggling with each word. Before she gave it too much thought, she said, “Charlotte can stay with me if she wants. My parents are home during the day, and that old house is huge.” She stopped. She didn’t want to make Lee or Charlotte feel like a charity case.