Chapter 5: The Name on the Chart
Andre dropped to one knee.
Under the examination bed was a small black medical supply bag.
It hadn't been there when they entered.
At least, he didn't remember seeing it.
He reached underneath.
Tasha stepped forward.
“Don't open that.””
Andre stopped.
“Why?””
“Because we don't know who it belongs to.””
The administrator looked at the security officers.
One of them quietly closed the door.
Andre noticed.
“Why are you locking the door?””
The administrator answered, “For everyone's safety.””
“From what?””
No one answered.
Monica backed against the wall.
Daniel was staring at the black bag.
“You shouldn't open it,” he whispered.
Andre looked at him.
“Why does everybody know something except me?””
Daniel's jaw tightened.
“Because you weren't supposed to be here.””
Andre laughed bitterly.
“Apparently my entire family has been having conversations without me.””
He reached for the bag.
Monica suddenly said, “Andre, stop.””
He looked at her.
“You've said that a lot today.””
“Please.””
“What is in it?””
“I don't know.””
“You don't know?””
“No.””
“Then why are you scared?””
Monica's eyes filled.
“Because I know who it belongs to.””
Andre opened the zipper.
Inside was a folded hospital gown, a plastic specimen container, several sealed medical supplies, and another envelope.
His fingers stopped over the envelope.
The name printed across the front made his heart pound.
*ANDRE HAYES.*
He stared at it.
“No.””
Monica covered her mouth.
Daniel looked down.
Tasha whispered, “Mr. Hayes…”
Andre pulled the envelope free.
It had been sealed.
His name was handwritten across it in black ink.
He looked at Monica.
“Did you know about this?””
She shook her head.
“I swear.””
“You swear?””
“Yes.””
“Then why is my name on it?””
“I don't know.””
Andre tore the envelope open.
Inside was a single sheet of paper.
He read the first line.
Then stopped.
“What?””
Tasha asked.
Andre didn't answer.
He read it again.
At the bottom was a date from six months earlier.
The same date as Jasmine's document.
The paper contained a laboratory reference number.
And beneath it, a sentence:
*PATIENT SAMPLE RECEIVED WITHOUT FATHER'S CONSENT.*
Andre's face went cold.
“What sample?””
Nobody spoke.
He turned to the administrator.
“What sample?””
The administrator looked uncomfortable.
“I wasn't authorized to discuss the contents.””
“You brought security into this room.””
“Yes.””
“Then you can answer me.””
“I can only tell you that this matter was flagged internally.””
“Flagged for what?””
The administrator glanced at Monica.
“For a discrepancy involving two patient records.””
Andre slowly looked at his wife.
“Two?””
Monica shook her head.
“Don't.””
Andre pointed at the papers.
“Who are the two patients?””
The administrator hesitated.
“Mr. Hayes—”
“Who?””
Daniel stepped in.
“Andre, you need to listen to me.””
Andre turned.
“You have about five seconds.””
Daniel swallowed.
“The second patient wasn't Jasmine.””
Andre's expression hardened.
“Then who?””
Daniel looked at Monica.
She whispered, “Daniel…”
He continued.
“It was you.””
Andre stared at him.
“What?””
“The sample was filed under your name.””
Andre looked at the paper.
Then at Monica.
“Why?””
Monica's face crumpled.
“I didn't know they used your name.””
“Who is they?””
“I can't tell you.””
“You absolutely can.””
She shook her head.
“If I tell you, they'll come after Jasmine.””
Andre stepped closer.
“They're already coming after her.””
Monica looked toward the door.
The security officer's hand rested near his radio.
Andre lowered his voice.
“What happened six months ago?””
Monica began crying.
“I found something.””
“What?””
“Something in your medical records.””
Andre frowned.
“My medical records?””
“Yes.””
“What did you find?””
She couldn't answer.
Daniel spoke instead.
“Her results didn't match.””
Andre stared.
“What results?””
Monica whispered, “The ones from before we got married.””
Andre felt the room tilt.
“You went through my medical records?””
“I was trying to understand something.””
“What?””
She looked at Jasmine.
“Something about our daughter.””
Andre followed her gaze.
Jasmine was silent.
Too silent.
He walked toward her.
“Baby?””
She looked up.
“I'm sorry.””
“For what?””
Jasmine's eyes filled.
“I didn't mean to lie.””
Andre sat beside her.
“Lie about what?””
She reached beneath the blanket.
Her fingers closed around something.
Then she slowly pulled out a tiny plastic hospital wristband.
Andre took it.
The printed name made his blood run cold.
*JASMINE HAYES.*
Underneath it was a date.
Six months ago.
Andre stared at his daughter.
“You were here?””
Jasmine nodded.
“Mom brought me.””
Andre looked at Monica.
“You brought her here without me?””
Monica began shaking.
“I had no choice.””
“You always have a choice.””
“No, Andre.””
She stepped closer.
“I didn't bring her here for treatment.””
Andre stood.
“Then why?””
Monica looked toward Daniel.
Daniel looked away.
Tasha slowly stepped between them.
“Mrs. Hayes, you need to tell him.””
Monica's voice broke.
“She came here to give blood.””
Andre stared.
“Why?””
Monica whispered the answer.
“Because we needed to know if you were really her father.””
The room went silent.
Andre looked at Jasmine.
Then at the wristband.
Then at Monica.
His voice was almost a whisper.
“And?””
Monica couldn't speak.
The administrator suddenly received a call.
He listened for three seconds.
Then his face changed.
“Everyone needs to leave this room.””
Andre frowned.
“Why?””
The administrator looked at Jasmine.
“Because the person who ordered the test just arrived.””
The door handle began to move.
May you like
And Monica whispered a name Andre had never heard before.
“Calvin.””
