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“Amazing, isn’t it?”
I smile despite preferring the noise. At the children’s home, even when the older kids were at school, there were always little ones pottering around in the morning.
“Don’t worry, when they run in after school, you’ll wish for the silence again.”
In my office, we both take a seat. My cluttered desk is making me anxious, serving as a reminder of how much I need to do today.
I’m still getting settled, but after almost a month, I’ve finally learned everyone’s name.
“I wanted to give you an update. Did you meet Emma when you started?”
I nod. She was here when I was introduced, but she left on my first day to go to independent housing.
“I called to see her yesterday evening. Her husband is back. He let me in but made me aware our services are no longer needed.”
My stomach knots. “Her choice?”
“It looks that way. I couldn’t get her on her own to know for sure, and I didn’t want to press too much because she will be his target when he’s pissed off about me calling. She said she was happy. He told her he’s changed. He’s going to anger management.”
The usual then.
“What a hero. Is it a positive sign that he’s trying, or is he a serial anger management attendee?” I’ve met too many of those.
“It’s his third time. If he hasn’t managed it by now, he never will.”
“Oh.”
“I’ll keep an eye on them, but for now, there’s nothing I can do. She’s a grown woman. I’ve contacted the kid’s school to let them know. I need them to be extra vigilant.”
“Good decision. I’m sorry, though. It sucks.”
I know the feeling when you’ve worked hard with someone to help them see their self-worth, only to have it unraveled by the charm of a monster. We may be warned about it, but it’s impossible not to get attached to people in our jobs. We form bonds, and we don’t give up. I know Amelia will be there if Emma needs her again. Which—the likelihood is—she will.
“She’s not the first, and she won’t be the last.” Her shoulders slump, defeated.
Still, I can’t help but wish it was different.
The greatest fear in life is the fear of the unknown. The fear of what will come next. Will it be better? Worse? More of the same? Should we take what we have in the case we don’t get a fairer deal?
Risk.
It’s like jumping off a ledge, not knowing what’s at the bottom because the air is foggy.
But if we never jump, we never know.
My eyes catch sight of a face peeking inside my office. It’s Leah. She arrived the same day I was late for my meeting with Jake.
She backs away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt. I can come back another time.” She’s skittish, child-like almost. Although, at eighteen, she’s not far off.
I wave at her. “Come in.”
“Honey, I was about to leave.” Amelia winks before standing. “See you later.”
I gesture for Leah to take a seat.
She takes a tentative step forward.
Then another.
