The Fallout (The Therapist #3) - W.S. Greer Page 0,29

to do with us.

“I don't know,” I answer in all honesty.

I expect to see annoyance or disappointment on Eli’s face, but he shows neither. Eli flashes a brief smile and nods his head.

“Okay,” he says in a soft voice. “I understand.”

I don't think the words I understand have ever fallen out of Eli’s mouth even by accident, at least not with this level of sincerity. When he says it, it’s like I feel the words. I’m so taken aback I can't formulate a response as Eli grabs his briefcase and starts toward the garage door. Before placing his hand on the knob, he turns back to me.

“Have a good day at work,” he says, just before pulling the door open and walking out.

I listen to the garage as it opens up, and the sound of Eli’s car starting roars through the kitchen. I’m not sure what to think or feel after our interaction this morning. As usual, my anger hopes he gets a flat tire on the way to work and has to wait on the side of the highway for one of his work friends to come help him. The other side, however—the stronger side—still has hope for us.

16

~ Demi ~

Martin and Gina Waters have been clients of mine for two years. Unlike some clients who hate that they have a social worker checking up on them all the time, Martin and Gina have always been pleasant. Even when I’ve had to put them at the end of the slate due to how my scheduling worked out, and had to perform late night inspections on their home, they've always been cordial and polite, no matter what. It’s fairly rare, so when I get clients like them, I cherish them. That's what you do when you get something in your life that’s great, you cherish it. You’re supposed to appreciate the good things that come to you. Cherishing something valuable also makes it more difficult when you lose it, which is why I drive into East Rehoboth today with a bittersweet feeling in my chest.

Today will be my last inspection for the Waters’ home. After two years and countless conversations, the couple has set up a nice little life for themselves in Delaware. They've increased their income and made it to where they can provide for their child better, which was the reason social services were called in the first place. Their daughter, Emily, showed up to school one day with no shoes, and the teachers became concerned. I was on their doorstep three days later.

What I’ve always loved most about this family is their attitude. When I arrived that day to tell them social services had been called, I expected animosity. I sure as hell would be upset if someone called social services on me, but Gina and Martin weren't hostile at all. Through the frustration of having to deal with me and my office prying into their lives, the couple smiled and remained polite. Their attitudes were noteworthy and something the world could learn a lot from, because not only were they dealing with me investigating them, the family also had serious money problems, but if not for the low-income housing they were living in, you wouldn't be able to tell from how they acted.

The Waters were the first people to show me that it didn't matter how much money you made, you could be happy if you tried hard enough. I’ve been impressed with them from the moment I met them, so it’ll hurt to say goodbye for the final time today, but they deserve to be able to move on with their lives now.

When I arrive at the Waters home, I find Emily playing outside. Emily is a gorgeous little girl with braids that jump in every direction as she plays, and the sun bounces off of her dark brown skin. She’s running around with more energy than I could ever muster up, screaming with a throat full of excitement, and she's wearing shoes—cute white ones that light up with every step she takes. When I step out of the car, Emily puts her screaming on pause to look at me. Recognizing who it is, she darts in my direction, reviving the scream.

“Mrs. Lane!” Emily bellows as she barrels into me, wrapping her arms around my waist. We hug like we haven't seen each other in ages.

“Hi Emily,” I reply, smiling wide. “Wow, you look like you've gotten bigger since last month. How are you?”

“I’m good!”