"I'm sure you will. And that is The Church," he declared, turning and pointing to a building sitting on a hill. It had a path that led to a covered bridge that went over a smallcreek; after that, it was just grass. "I'm sure you understand why it's called The Church now."
She could.
Atop the hill was an old white clapboard southern church surrounded by towering trees and a picnic table in the back. It had to be old, like a hundred years old. All it needed was a cross sitting high on the pointy roof. "And that's where I'll be working?"
"Yep, you can park in the front. You'll have a key and will get the building ready for clients. You'll also be required to close up unless one of the counselors stays late. Let's head up there, and you can meet them and pick out your office."
The Church was a breath of fresh air. As they walked up the stairs to enter the back door, there was already a calmer, less chaotic vibe. The building was far enough away that it felt like its own little island, sitting close enough to see the rest of the campus but not close enough to feel like it belonged with it.
They were greeted with a blast of cold air as they stepped into a small, open area of the back room. Immediately to their left was the largest, most ancient copy/fax/scanner combo machine Bette had ever seen. Behind it were shelves full of random office supplies, partially opened packs of paper, wrappers from empty packs, and dust—lots of dust.
"Obviously, this is the copier. Through that door," he pointed directly in front of them, a red door with "staff" on a handwritten paper taped to the front. "—is the staff bathroom and where the cleaning supplies are kept."
After turning a corner, an L-shaped hall led right to front door. The walls were bright white, with inspirational posters that added a little cheer. The worn wooden flooring looked as if it were the original floors. The sun was shining through the glass double doors at the end. There was a small set of stairs. She could see how this was once a church with its now-divided rooms.
"That is Kerrie Matthews' office, a counselor." Tyler pointed to a partially closed door. Bette couldn't see inside.
"This is the conference room."
It wasn't large by any means but could hold probably 25 to 30 people squeezed in. A flat screen hung above a table at one end of the room, while on the opposite was a large dry-erase board. Several short stacks of chairs lined the longest wall that held two windows. The drab brown carpeting was awful, but the happy, pale green walls made for a happier space. Even with its old, overused carpet, the building was far more uplifting than The Main.
"That door is to the little kitchen for staff. Well, I say kitchen, but it's just a closet with a microwave and refrigerator." She appreciated his honesty. At least he wasn't trying to sugarcoat what she was going into.
Tyler gripped the doorknob of one of the closed doors, but it didn't turn. He frowned and called out, "Kerrie! Do you have the keys to the empty offices?"
An annoyed sigh came from behind the partially closed door, followed by something hitting a wall. Bette raised a questioning eyebrow at Tyler, but he just shook his bald head and grinned. "She'll rub off on you."
After a few moments that took longer than Bette thought it needed to, the door opened fully, and out stepped the most handsome, cuddly giant of a woman Bette had ever seen. She was almost as tall as the door, and her large, sturdy frame took up most of the middle. It was like a giant trying to fit into a small car. Bette's knees went weak as she swept her eyes up and down the woman from her graying brown hair to the large hand that clutched a silver ring of keys to the thick thighs in pleated dress slacks. The woman was one big masculine snack that Bette wouldn't mind taking a bite out of. That was until she spoke.
"What'd you need them for?" Kerrie asked gruffly, her eyes narrowing.
The fuming giant didn't seem to bother Tyler in the least as he smiled up at her. "I already told you, Kerrie. I'm hiring a new office assistant here."
"I thought we talked about this," Kerrie seethed through tight lips. Bette's attraction to the woman was diminishing quickly.
Before he could reply, the thudding of feet and loud chattering sounded behind them. Men began to spill out of the doorway by the front double doors, which led to what Bette assumed was a basement. Many paused to take in the three of them, especially Bette, but then carefully walked around them, heading out the back door. Men of all ages, shapes, and sizes. Many nodded their heads respectfully to Bette as they passed.
"Tyler, can I talk to you in my office alone for a moment?" It didn't sound like a question to Bette but more like a demand. This giant was pushy.
Tyler sighed. "Fine. Who's your peer? Colton, right?"
"No, Luke," Kerrie corrected quickly, nodding her head to a young man who was trailing the end of the group line.
"What's up?" he greeted them, hearing his name. He seemed far more congenial than Kerrie.
Tyler took Kerrie's keys and held them out for him. "Could you show Ms. Bette here the two offices no one is using while I talk with Kerrie for a moment?"
The young man shrugged, taking the key ring. "Sure."
They left Bette and Luke standing in the hallway. Bette was thankful not to be in the presence of the pissed-off counselor anymore.
"Well, I'm Luke. Peer for The Church." He held his hand out for Bette to take. It had a large black tattoo of a bundle of bananas on it.
Bette must have made a face at the tattoo as she shook his hand because he chuckled, "I know, I know. Odd tattoo, but I was drunk as fu— uh, fudge and thought it was hilarious at the time."
Bette released his hand and chuckled along with him awkwardly. She wasn't used to people being so open about personal struggles like addiction. "It is funny."
She shifted from heel to heel, looking around. "May I ask what a 'peer' is?"
