The Silver Oak Home for Chronically Ill Children

By Sayla Fitzgerald and Nathalie Kranich

Nova Dumont has visited nearly every hospital in the country - not that she's proud of it. Episodes of unending, mysterious pain have torn her body apart, pushing her toward doctor after doctor in search of answers. But when nobody is able to properly diagnose her, Nova receives an invitation to attend the Silver Oak Home

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sayla Fitzgerald Books
• Release date: May 30, 2024
• ISBN: 9798990263925

Book preview

Sayla Fitzgerald

The Silver Oak Home for Chronically Ill Children

Copyright © 2024 by Sayla Fitzgerald

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

First edition

Cover art by Nathalie Kranich

This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy

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To my parents, who always told me to keep writing.

To my children, who inspire me every single day.

To my partner, who never once stopped believing in me.

I love you all so much. This book is for you.

Contents

Acknowledgement

Chapter One - The Pain of Waiting

Chapter Two - The Unorthodox Doctor

Chapter Three - The Dumont Family Promise

Chapter Four - The Silver Oak Home for Chronically Ill Children

Chapter Five - The Truth

Chapter Six - Classes Begin

Chapter Seven - Accommodations

Chapter Eight - Poachers

Chapter Nine - Mushrooms, Morels, and Lessons Learned

Chapter Ten - The Very Last One

Chapter Eleven - Decisions, Decisions

Chapter Twelve - Real Friends

Chapter Thirteen - The Shift

Chapter Fourteen - The Hunt Begins

Chapter Fifteen - Unregulated Magic

Chapter Sixteen - In The End

Chapter Seventeen - Everything Else But Fear

Chapter Eighteen - The Things That Remain

Acknowledgement

This book was years in the making. There were so many (unpublished) books before this, but I kept writing until I made something I was proud of. This book isn’t perfect, but I am SO PROUD of it. This book is part of my heart and soul.

A few years ago I dealt with some chronic mystery pain, similar to Nova, and it forced me to change so many things about my life. It was a very difficult time. I’m so grateful to the doctors, therapists, psychiatrists, and healers that helped me through all my pain. I would not be the person I am today without their help. But that period of time still left me with some scars, many of which came to light as I was writing this book.

It is my hope that this book can be a beacon of light to anyone struggling through something similar. I hope that this can bring a little joy to your day. I hope that it can make you feel seen. You aren’t alone, I promise.

I also owe so many thanks to the people that helped bring this book into the world. It wouldn’t exist without them.

Firstly, thank you to Christopher, my rock and my foundation. You were the first to read this book and you’ve been my biggest champion since the beginning. I love you. I love our life together. I will never stop being so grateful that I found a soul mate in you.

To my children, who are the inspiration behind everything I write. Thank you for being the most wonderful kids in the entire universe. You are brilliant, beautiful, and so creative. My life is happy because you are both in it.

To my wonderful family who always, always, always, supported my dreams no matter what.

To my illustrator, the brilliant Nathalie Kranich. She dreamed up the best possible cover for this book. It would not look the same without her hard work. I am continually in awe of your illustration and cover design Nathalie! Thank you for everything!

To all my beta readers, who helped make this book the best possible version of itself. You guys are amazing. Thank you.

And lastly, thank you to anyone and everyone that picks up and reads this book. I’m so thankful you’ve decided to take a chance on a new author! I hope you found something that brings you even a little bit of joy.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Chapter One - The Pain of Waiting

Nova Fae hated hospitals. She hated the straight-backed waiting room chairs, the endless hallways painted the same exact color of beige, and the styrofoam hot chocolate cups that came out of the vending machines. She hated the doctors that stared at her over the tops of their glasses, the prods of needles digging under her skin, and the incessant whispering that accompanied every test she was forced to undergo. She was so sick of it all. If it were her choice, Nova would have put video games in every room, splattered the walls with pictures of rainbow aliens, and hired doctors that knew all of the answers to her questions and not just some of them. Even then, she wasn’t sure it would help.

But she’s sick! her mom argued with the doctor for the third time that week. She gestured frantically at Nova who lounged with her head back on the craft paper covering the doctor’s table. Surely there’s something you can do for her!

Nova half-heartedly rubbed at the bruises that dotted her inner elbow. The nurse could never find her vein before sticking her with a needle three times. It hurt.

I’m sorry Mrs. Dumont, the doctor answered. Her tests are all normal. Have you considered that her signs and symptoms might be caused by higher than normal anxiety levels? Is there anything going on in her life that might have caused a shift in her mood?

Nova snorted. Her mom rolled her eyes. Anxiety always seemed to be the answer for doctors that had run out of them. Countless doctors had offered this up as a diagnosis.

It’s not anxiety, Mrs. Dumont told the doctor in a firm voice.

The doctor shook her head disappointed, Well I can’t give her anything stronger than aspirin, I’m afraid. Not without a test result.

Nova sighed and her bangs fluffed up into the air. She wasn’t surprised. In fact, she barely even registered the doctors anymore. Every office visit, every hospital stay, was a repeat of the same scenario. She went in, they ran every test they had, and they concluded the very same thing: there was nothing wrong with Nova Fae.

Aren’t there more tests you can run? Nova’s mom asked. Her knuckles were wrapped around the top of her purse, turning white with tension.

I’ve run every test I can think of, the doctor noted.

Nova’s mom pursed her lips, a clear signal she was near to crying. She was Nova’s twin in looks – they shared the springy honey brown curls and bright blue eyes that curved, just slightly, in the corners. But where Nova’s mom slicked her hair back and scrubbed her face until it shone, Nova let her curls run wild and didn’t much care if dirt was on her or not.

Please, Mrs. Dumont pleaded, You have to help us. This was our last chance.

Nova and her parents had agreed. After this, there would be no more hospitals. Nova would live with the pain if she had to. She just couldn’t handle another hospital stay. She was barely in school as it was, and keeping up with her friends had been nearly impossible for the last year.

The doctor tapped her pen against her mouth. There is one more option, she said. Though I’d caution you to only use it as a last resort.

We’ll try anything, Nova’s mother pleaded.

Fine, the doctor sighed and scribbled something down onto a scrap of paper. She handed this to Mrs. Dumont, who latched onto it like a saving grace. This doctor seems to have had some luck with chronically ill patients. He’s not, strictly, board certified, but results are results I suppose. The doctor sighed, as if this physically pained her to admit. If anyone asks, I didn’t send you. With that, the doctor gathered the rest of her supplies and left the room.

Nova’s mom turned toward her, her face open and expectant. Nova knew what she wanted. One more chance to make her life better. One more chance to take away the pain that plagued Nova night and day.

Nova sat up and crossed her arms over her chest. Fine, she grunted. But after this, no more hospitals.

Her mom wrapped her in a hug that smelled like vanilla and coffee. Thank you sweetheart, she cooed into Nova’s ear. She never failed to soften her daughter’s heart. But if it were Nova’s choice, she would have stopped the tests a long time ago. Her mother still felt that spark of hope each time a new doctor was thrown their way. For Nova, that spark had long ago sputtered out. She was going to have to find a way to live with the pain that plagued her. She already knew that. She didn’t want to hear it from a doctor for the thousandth time. So this would be the last time. She’d make sure of it.

Chapter Two - The Unorthodox Doctor

Nova couldn’t remember what it was like to not be in pain. She knew logically it hadn’t always been there, but it had bloomed into her life like an invasive species, twining through every inch of her body until she couldn’t remember a life before the pain.

It all started one day when she was coming home from school. One second she was walking, and the next she was on her knees, toppled to the ground with blinding pain. Fire rose from her spine to her eyelids, so strong that her whole body shook with the force of it. She vomited, right then and there, on the sidewalk. Luckily for her, she was close to home. Her father saw her from the windows and rushed to her side, scooping her up and whispering reassurances in her ears. That was the first night Nova ever spent in the hospital.

After that, the pain only grew. She never knew when an attack was coming. Sometimes they’d be days apart, and she’d be a glorious actual kid for a few days of complete bliss. But it always came back. The attacks were like predatory snakes lying in wait, ready to strike at any moment. It made her feel better somehow, to imagine a snake was the cause of all her pain. That way, she at least had an explanation. The doctors gave her nothing.

Road trip! Nova’s mom squealed as she shoved three overstuffed suitcases in the back of their van.

Nova’s dad, Arthur, came running out of the house carrying a cooler. Can’t wait! he beamed. He handed Nova a Coke and a bag of sour cream and onion chips. Climb in kiddo! he gestured toward the van as if it were a royal carriage.

Nova rolled her eyes, but climbed into her seat. It was laden with every comfort a kid could imagine. Her parents had stuffed the backseat with blankets, pillows, weighted stuffed animals, emergency heat packs, emergency ice packs, video games, snacks, and a phone fully loaded with every game in the known universe. They completely overdid everything now, but Nova let them. They just wanted to help in any way they could.

Ready? Nova’s mom craned her head from the driver’s seat.

Ready as I’ll ever be, Nova huffed. Nova’s mom, Freida Dumont, frowned. Nova knew she should feign excitement, for her parents’ sake, but she just couldn’t summon any. A road trip to another doctor was not her idea of a good time. She wished, for once, they could be going anywhere else in the world. A surprise trip to Disney World would have been a great idea.

It’s the last one, Nova, her dad cooed from the front. We promise.

I know dad, Nova said. She cracked open her can of Coke and took a long slug from it. The bubbles danced down her throat, soothing the aches that lingered there.

Besides, her dad chirped cheerily, I think we can manage to have some fun along the way! Utah is a long way from here. There must be some great places to stop! He pulled out an oversized paper map and started scanning.

Can’t you just use a phone? her mom asked, exasperated. She backed out of the driveway, eyeing Nova one more time to make sure she had everything she needed.

Well, that would be way less interesting darling! If it’s truly going to be an adventure, then we need to be adventurous in every way possible! Her dad winked back at Nova.

This, predictably, launched the two of them into a discussion on the pros and cons of technology. Nova tucked a blanket to her chin. It was this, more than anything, that brought a smile to her lips. Her world had been torn to shreds, and would remain that way for the foreseeable future. But her parents would always be the same. They would argue and overpack and spoil her rotten. Between attacks they’d soothe her and calm her and give her everything she needed. If she had to be in pain, at least she had them.

They arrived at the hospital after three long days in the car. Looking up at the drab brick building made Nova feel more hopeless than ever. Utah itself was beautiful. It was full of mountains and fresh air and trees, wild animals roaming next to their car, and fairly good food. But this hospital was like an eyesore within the rest of the state. It stood in the center of a barren field, ringed with a chain link fence and bordered by a wide open plain of absolute nothingness. The building was crumbling, several windows looked as if they’d been shattered, and there were only a couple other cars in the parking lot.

Nova’s dad coughed awkwardly and said, Well, let’s not judge a book by its cover. He clapped a hand on Nova’s shoulder. Pain ricocheted through her arms. She winced.

Her mom noticed and gently brushed his hand away. She leaned closer to Nova. Let’s just meet this doctor and see what he’s all about, okay? If it’s weird, we’ll leave. I promise. Nova nodded. Her mom’s eyes worried over the state of the building.

The three of them walked hand in hand toward the building. Nova felt the pain of each step like a crack through her heart.

The lobby matched the outside of the building. Worn linoleum coated the floors, fluorescent lights flickered in the corners, and the entire place smelled like the chemicals her dad used to clean the bathroom. A bored looking receptionist glanced their way as they entered.

Name? she drawled around a snap of her bubblegum.

Nova Fae Dumont, Nova said. Her mom squeezed her fingertips.

We’re here to see Dr. Wildman, Mrs. Dumont added.

The receptionist glanced at an old computer for a half a second. Sit. We’ll call you when he’s ready.

Nova walked to the side of the room and sat in a squashy plastic armchair while her parents perched on a bench nearby. At least the chairs were good. It was more than she could say for the other hospitals she’d been to. She watched, bored, as a spider skittered its way through the room. It climbed up the corner wall and perched on the window ledge, looking out. Trapped, just like me, Nova thought.

Just then, a loud crash reverberated through the room. Nova jumped to her feet as several bangs and clatters echoed down the long hallway towards them. Ah I’ve nearly got it! someone shouted. Just a little more… This was accompanied by further groans and bangs of metal, like pans falling to the ground. The receptionist didn’t so much as flinch.

I hate to interrupt, Nova’s dad approached the receptionist, But is that person okay?

The receptionist glanced up at him before she shrieked down the hallway. ARE YOU OKAY DR. WILDMAN?

FINE! VERY NICE OF YOU TO ASK! came the answering shout.

Doctor? Nova mouthed toward her mom. Her mom shrugged. Nova sat back in her chair and crossed her arms. She supposed it was only a matter of time before they brought her to some quack.

Her dad walked back to them just as a man materialized in the back hallway. His hair was askew and his glasses were perched lopsidedly on his nose. His white lab coat was covered in streaks of dirt and his shoes were untied. They clattered against the floor as he walked toward them.

He stuck out a hand towards Nova. "Pleasure