Finding Noel

Finding Noel by Richard Paul Evans Read Free Book Online Page B

Book: Finding Noel by Richard Paul Evans Read Free Book Online
Authors: Richard Paul Evans
Macy knew she would never see her Sissy again.
    The six Hummels went out for ice cream to celebrate. Macy had a single scoop of mint chocolate chip.



There is no amount of compassion or common sense that can’t be extinguished by government bureaucracy.
    MARK SMART’S DIARY

It had been more than five years since Macy had talked to anyone from the state. The last caseworker she had seen had retired two years earlier, and the woman at the DCFS office referred her to the woman who had taken most of her cases, a middle-aged woman named Andrea Bellamy.
    Macy had dressed up for the meeting. She wore an outfit she had borrowed from her roommate, a matching pink silk skirt and jacket with a white pleated blouse. She wanted the caseworker to know that where the state had failed she’d succeeded. She even carried a purse—for her, a symbol of respectability and stability.

    The caseworker was a heavyset woman with frosted hair, heavy makeup and bright eyes. She greeted Macy in the lobby. “Hi, I’m Andrea.”
    â€œI’m Macy. Nice to meet you.”
    â€œLikewise,” she said. “Please follow me.”
    Andrea led her back past a jungle of fabric-padded cubicles to a small conference room. She directed Macy to achair, then sat down across from her, setting a large folder on the table between them. In the overcrowded schedule of a caseworker there was seldom time for formalities, and Andrea Bellamy quickly launched into the business at hand. “I looked up your file yesterday. I had a little trouble finding it with your name change.”
    â€œYes, ma’am.”
    â€œAccording to your record, you were adopted at the age of eight by Dick and Irene Hummel. Your little sister was adopted by another family on the same day.”
    â€œThat’s right. I just need to know where she is.”
    The woman looked at her stoically. “I’d like to help you with that but unfortunately her file was ordered sealed by the judge.”
    Macy looked at her quizzically. “Sealed?”
    â€œIt means I can’t give you any information about her without a court order.”
    â€œHow do I get one of those?”
    â€œIn a case like this you probably can’t.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œIn the seven years I’ve been here, I’ve never seen it happen.”
    â€œBut don’t I have a right to see my sister?”
    â€œThat right is negated by her and her adopted parents’ right to privacy.”
    â€œWhy would my sister want privacy from me?”
    The woman didn’t answer.
    â€œCould you tell me her name?”
    â€œYou don’t remember her name?”
    Macy shook her head. “I’ve forgotten.”
    â€œI’m sorry, but I can’t tell you anything.”
    Macy rested her head in the palm of her hand. “Is there any way around this?”
    â€œOnly if your sister decides that she wants to see you and makes a formal request. I now have your phone number and address, so I’ll contact you if that happens.”
    â€œBut she might not even remember me. She was only four when we were separated.”
    The woman looked at Macy sympathetically. “I’m really sorry. I wish I could be of more help, but it’s the law.”
    Macy’s voice was sharp with anger. “But she’s my sister. We had no choice…” Macy looked into the woman’s eyes. “How can complete strangers make that decision for us?”
    Again the woman didn’t answer.
    â€œDo you think it’s fair?”
    â€œNo, I don’t. But we’re bound by the law, and sometimes the law and ‘fair ’ are two different things.”
    After a moment Macy pointed to the folder between them. “Can I see my file?”
    â€œI can’t show it to you either.”
    â€œI can’t see my own file?”
    â€œI’m afraid not. There’s information in here about your biological parents

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