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“No, Dr. Hammer. We’re helping each other.” Impatience filtered through Susan’s steady tone. “The kids have their own rules and update them quarterly. I interviewed the original five kids. Now, senior students conduct the interviews. They insist on discipline, compassion, and flexibility.”
“Brenda, from what I heard, the kids adore Susan.” Matt had been listening to the exchange.
“And the parents, too,” Royce added.
“Thank you, Dr. Winston, Royce,” Susan said.
Both men seemed anxious to spare the grad student’s feeling—as if Brenda , the professional, had stepped out of line. Damn it, she was a concerned psychologist, knowing the importance of protecting teenagers’ feelings and privacy, especially if this woman was planning to attract Mia into her group.
Of course, some parents of difficult children might be relieved to have their problem kids off their backs for a few hours. Not convinced she would allow Mia to mingle with Susan and her group, Brenda glanced at the four teenagers sitting on the edge of the terrace, their feet dangling in the pool, obviously getting along with loud chattering and laughter.
“Are the parents allowed to see your reports?”
“Everyone is allowed to see my reports—students, parents, faculty members. There are no secrets in what I write. Sometimes the kids themselves remind me of something I’ve forgotten to add or clarify. If you’re so interested, Dr. Hammer, file a request at the university graduate center, and I’ll be happy to show you a report.” Susan’s icy voice assured Brenda that the Thai woman resented her suspicious questions.
“I didn’t mean to annoy you. I was speaking as a psychologist, always worried about children’s well being,” she added to soothe the tense situation.
Susan rewarded her with a snicker. “No harm done. Your daughter is lucky to have such a concerned mother, a psychologist, and an expert at parenting. Some parents fail in their dealings with difficult kids, or simply have trouble helping their kids adjust to their school environment. In other cases, the parents simply don’t care.”
Her words hit Brenda with the precision of a radar-controlled bullet. Mia was a difficult kid, and all Brenda’s effort to tame her had failed. She averted her eyes and blinked, hoping no one had noticed her dismay.
“I have to go upstairs to bring down the meat. Brenda, would you like to see my condo?” To break the tension, Matt was offering to take her away.
“Sure,” she answered automatically and walked beside him quietly.
When they stepped into the elevator, Matt took her hand. “I’m sorry you’re not having a good time. I shouldn’t have let Royce invite Susan. He thought she could benefit from your professional advice on her project.”
She blinked and forced a smile. “My bad. I don’t know what prompted me to question her like that.”
The elevator stopped, and Matt led her along a hallway, without answering. Three doors down, he paused and unlocked the door. “Welcome to my place.”
She’d been dying to visit his condo. Why was it happening now, when she felt like crying more than cheering a second date?
***
Things hadn’t clicked between Brenda and Susan. In all honesty, Matt couldn’t blame Susan who’d shown remarkable self-control, calmly responding to Brenda’s suspicious questions.
Rather than giving a house tour to his guest, he held her arms, studying her stern expression. “Brenda, I understand you’re worried about Mia.” When he’d first met Mia, he’d instantly felt Brenda’s concern. The girl was a handful.
“Any mother would worry about her teenage child these days.” Typical of most mothers, Brenda would protect her daughter’s reputation at any price.
“I’ve never had a child, but I’d like to understand and help if possible. Are you worried about her grades, her health, social life, other type of activities?”
“Matt, most of the problems for a girl Mia’s age come from the friends around her.” Brenda sighed. “I’ve tried to keep her away from problem kids, especially those dealing with drugs.”
“Any reason to suspect she’s tried drugs?”
“I don’t think so, but I’m worried. Two of her friends were referred to my office and seen by my partner. I’ve talked to Mia about the dangers of drugs and made her promise not to experiment with them. I can’t afford to let her befriend troubled kids like those around Susan.”
“I understand your concern. I’m not personally familiar with Susan’s work, but Royce has assured me that no drugs are allowed in Susan’s Youth Club. The kids are the best watchdogs. They kicked out two members who didn’t obey their rules.”
“You see?” Brenda huffed. “I wish I’d put her into a private school, but her father insisted she should go to a public school and be open-minded.”
Matt didn’t ask “Open-minded about what?”but he studied her lips stretched into a resentful line and the huge chocolate eyes gleaming with anger.
The love of her life had thoroughly hurt her and was hurting their daughter now. Could Matt do anything to help lessen her burden?
Gently, he cupped her cheek and met her gaze. “Why did you leave him, Brenda?”
