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Mack walked into the room, his expression pure disgust. “This was the last ring. The rest are all shut down.”
“Good.”
If we couldn’t catch Devlin, we could at least hit him where it hurt, reducing the SOMC’s income.
“Let’s roll out. I sent in a cleaner.”
Following Mack out, I knew the rivalry between our clubs had just escalated. Devlin was gonna want payback. The thought made me smile.
Bring it on, motherfucker.
Chapter 2 – Cara
For as long as I could remember, my mother and I volunteered at the local homeless shelter and food pantry. It was our thing since I was a little kid. She was a woman of faith and strong conviction but also limitless love and acceptance of others. A true servant of the community.
There wasn’t a single person who didn’t know who she was or that I was her daughter. In fact, I gained quite a few “uncles” and “aunts” that were more than happy to watch over and correct my every decision. It wasn’t awful. Most of the time I was spoiled and given precious trinkets by these lost and wounded souls.
When I was young, the tattered and dirty clothes, weathered skin, odd smells, and poor health conditions of those who came to the shelter used to frighten and intimidate me. As I grew older, I became friends with the regulars and cared about their wellbeing. Their harsh lives and experiences served as life lessons and the choices they shared – both good and bad – helped shape the person I became. A little mixture of humility, compassion, and understanding that combined with the thorough education my parents insisted that I receive.
I graduated the top of my class with honors. A perfect 4.0 grade point average and a master’s degree in social work. I finally found my calling in life. Working with kids and families had been my dream for years and now I was finally working in my field. My new job as a Child Welfare Caseworker for the local school district felt like my life was falling into place and everything was going to work out. A little optimism never hurt anyone, right?
I sat up straight as my supervisor walked in, plopping down in the chair across from my desk. My office wasn’t large, but I didn’t need a lot of space. Folding my hands on the desk, I waited on Mrs. Howard to speak.
“Well, dear, how are you settling in?”
“Mrs. Howard –”
“Jean,” she cut in.
“Jean.” I smiled, trying not to clench my hands too tightly in nervous agitation. “What can I do for you?”
Today marked the end of the first week of my new position. I settled into my office and the school, adjusting to the flow and familiarizing myself with the students. There were several different counselors in addition to me and Jean who were the only Child Welfare Caseworkers. The principal was friendly, about the same age as Jean who I would guess to be in her mid to late forties. Overall, I liked the staff and the elementary school. There was a happy chaos always present that I enjoyed.
“I have a few children that are high on the priority list. One in particular that I’d like you to meet today.”
I nodded. She’d given me several students to follow up with this week already. Another was no surprise. “Sure. Which one?” I’d taken the liberty of grabbing all of the files on the children who were considered at risk or possible risk, and those who had experienced any kind of shift in their family dynamic over the last year.
“Leah James.”
I was familiar with her file. “She’s had quite a few adjustments over the last year. Longer, if you count all of her nearly eight years.”
“She has,” Jean agreed, “but she’s a bright and happy child. At least, until recently. I’ve noticed a change in her behavior. I’d like your opinion.”
“I don’t know her personally yet.”
“No, but I have a feeling you’ll get along just fine. Come on. She’s in Ms. Peterson’s third grade class.”
I followed Jean out into the corridor and then down the hall, pausing outside the door to observe the classroom.
“She’s the one with the dark curly pigtails in the back, last row on the right.”
“Red sweater?” I asked, just to clarify.
“Yes.”
“She’s beautiful.”
“She is,” Jean agreed. “Inside and out. Sweet temperament until the last few weeks.”
