CHAPTER 11
The phone rang unexpectedly. It was the lawyer Simon had mentioned - the one that helped out last time. Previously, the amount that he called would cause Fred to choke on his Coke, but he'd gotten used to it and didn't flinch at the ringing. Much like Danny, Fred had learnt to be a problem solver and he felt like he was succeeding. However, during their discussion, it turned out that Sofia was once again the problem. Fred could move to another state with Lisa, get a new job and tender his resignation from the hospital, but Sofia's documents would prove a mighty stumbling block. Last year, verification of all IDs with the new chipset had begun. However, as two-thirds of documents didn't meet the requirements, its introduction had been postponed. Nevertheless, all the documents would become part of one database and it proved impossible to add new ones. The last thing left for Fred to do was buying the rights of a dead body from Mexico, so that Sofia could then legally get married and apply for citizenship. The problem was that all migrants had to pass a test on arrival and then it would be decided if they could get a visa. Therefore, the original test results had to be replaced in the database, which had proved impossible so far.
The conversation with the lawyer took almost an hour, and during this time Fred missed two calls. The lawyer's figure disappeared in a taxi, taking with him a thousand bucks and leaving behind complete disappointment. It was time to go home, but the phone rang again and Fred immediately sank back onto the bench, feeling glad that this conversation would be outside.
Danny's familiar voice said 'Hi! Are you too busy to talk? Are you okay?'
'Yes. I was copying some documents,' he finally said in a hoarse voice.
'Great, well done! Are you okay? You sound sick and they say the new virus is transmitted via contact,' Danny spoke calmly, showing concern for Fred.
'No, no, that's all right. Don't worry. Thanks! I'm... we're... well, in short, I want to try living with Sofia in a different place.
'No, I'm fine thanks, don't worry. I'm…we're…well, in-short, Sofia and I want to move.'
'Yes, I know. You told me before.'
'I discussed how to do this with Simon and his lawyer. Hope you don't mind. Sofia's changed so much and not just because of your medication. The pills are strong, but it's obviously not them,' Fred was very worried and constantly shifted the phone from hand-to-hand and sniffed, not knowing how to wipe his nose. The spring air was cold, but he decided to stay on the bench.
'You helped too', said an encouraging voice through the receiver. 'There's no doubt that your kindness cured her. Is this a surprise to you?'
'Do you really think so?', Fred smiled for the first time and his face lit up with joy. A couple walking by smiled at him and he waved back. 'I've already found another place since my skills are vital, especially given the current virus situation. Although, I think it's exaggerated in my opinion. I'm a bit worried, but just want to take Sofia and Lisa out of here where it'll be calmer.
'Don't worry about it. I'm not against it.'
'Come with us?' it was hard for Fred to hide the hope in his voice, but cursed himself for it. The soothing tones of Danny put him completely at ease.
'No, I can't, how could I? Everything's okay at the clinic, I'm completing courses and I hope I'll get a raise soon. We'll be under quarantine soon and we'll be involved.'
'Yes, yes, I know,' said Fred, wiping sweat from his forehead.
'Have you spoken to Sofia about her parents?'
'Yes, I said we'd postpone for now and after we move, we'll have time to come back to that then. I want to make an ID for her, a real one.'
'Fred, are you serious? Have you spoken to Simon?'
'Yes. He says it won't work out. So for now, we just leave it.'
'She'll never calm down. How are you going to explain the problem with her parents to her? After all, at some point she'll raise the question,' when Fred heard the words, he bit his lip. 'Also, remember she believes Lisa is her daughter and doesn't know about the adoption. Did you forget that bit? What are you going to do about that?'
'No idea,' said Fred in despair. He didn't want to think about that now. For the first time in his life, he felt lucky and didn't want to jinx it.'
'Seems you were so carried away by moving and your future plans that you didn't think about these small details. Are you going to hide her entire life away? If it ever emerges that you were complicit in the forgery, you'll get…I don't even know how long…but you won't see here again. Without you, she'll die as it was you who taught her how to look after herself.' Fred nodded in agreement. 'Your idea to introduce her to Father Roger and the good work she's done helping others, is all down to you.'
'Yes,' he breathed, thanking Danny for such kind words.
'Then you must understand that you are not allowed to tell her that - how she got to the clinic, who her parents are and what we have to do with Lisa. Never. Do you understand?'
'Yes, I do.'
'How will you leave the hospital when there'll be an emergency there soon?'
'My lawyer advised me that it's even easier than before to quit without going to work,' Fred told Danny what he had to do. His friend whistled when he heard about the thousand dollar fee for the consultation, but this gave Fred confidence. In his life, there'd always been small hitches, but he found them easier to solve now he had money.
'Well done! By the way, are you watering my flowers?' Danny asked.
'Uh... yes, of course!' said Fred, although he had not done it for more than a week.
However, when Fred entered his apartment, all his dreams were left at the door. The kitchen was a complete mess and Sofia's bare feet stuck out from under the table. She sat underneath it, her back pressed into a corner, with her head laying on her chest and not breathing. Beside her lay a syringe and a towel that she had injected her hand with.
'Oh no!', Fred gasped. Danny's words whirled in his head 'There's no such thing as a former drug addict.'
Lisa sat unaware watching cartoons on the TV. Fred slumped in a chair, staring at the table covered in plastic bags and boxes. The decision had been made. He must quit his job, stay at home with Sofia for a week, find out the cause of her breakdown and then leave once and for all.