Left for Wild - Harloe Rae Page 0,50
surface. The moisture is no match for our roaring flames, sizzling into nothing but a speck of mist as it falls.
When my dish is spotless, I consider licking the bottom to be sure no morsel has been missed. “Seriously, Halder. You’ve got mad skills. I don’t care what you think.”
“That’s an unfavorable opinion.” He grunts and tries to dump the rest of his fish into my bowl.
I nudge his attempts away. “Knock it off. One, I’m super stuffed. And two, you need more calories for all that energy burning you’re planning to do.”
His gaze snaps to mine. “What?”
“I heard you muttering about chopping wood and taking out your frustration or whatever.”
He’s quiet for a bit, his vibrant gaze staring off into the tree line. “Does it bother you that I’ve spent years in prison?”
His question gives me pause, mostly so I can get myself on the same page. “For the sake of your freedom? Absolutely. I’m freaking livid. But no, I’m not turned off by the meaningless criminal record you carry around. That bogus rap sheet is like a noose. Will it go away once you’re proven innocent?”
Halder groans and pinches the bridge of his nose. “You make it sound so simple. You know that the wheels of justice are hard to reverse. It’s not their fault, though. This world is poisoned by corruption.”
I’m certain my forehead matches a squashed orange rind. “Um, you lost me.”
“The entire legal structure is pushing against me. Paul, my lawyer, tried to get me a new hearing the entire time I was locked up. The process is painfully slow and stuck in a massive bottleneck.”
A cramp twists in my belly at the defeat caging his voice. I place a hand on his arm, giving him a gentle squeeze. “This is just me playing devil’s advocate, okay? But does it really matter, at this point, for the ruling to get overturned?”
His eyes drop to where I’m touching him. “For the sake of my perceived worth, yes. It would be helpful to have my name cleared. There are some questioning my innocence, and felonies stay with you the rest of your life.”
I wonder if he’s referring to his parents. I’m not brave enough to ask right now. “Those who truly know you don’t need further proof.”
Halder stares at me. Can he see that I want to be one of those vital members in his corner? “But I will always be a convicted criminal.”
“Is that what defines you, though? Just because you were found guilty, doesn’t mean you are.”
“You’re too lenient, Blakely.”
A twitch teases the corner of my mouth. “I have been told that my heart is too soft. Why do you think I accept clients who are incarcerated or recently released on parole? Willingly, I might add.”
Halder glares at the sky, his features creasing at the edges. “Because that’s part of your job description? The system offers a stable salary? Job security? It’s not like people are going to stop getting arrested. Decent benefits?”
I cringe at any of those explanations being a deciding factor, even though a few are. “County social work is considered a sacrificial, or charitable, position, because our pay is never enough. The amount of effort required doesn’t match the earnings. Being able to provide support and services to those needing it most covers the cost of what money doesn’t. Turnover is extremely high for our field, though.”
“That doesn’t surprise me, with the shit I’m sure you deal with.”
“Burnout rates are another risk factor. Compassion fatigue and continuous empathy is exhausting. I spend less than half of my hours with Streebston cases, but they need more support. Clinics or schools contract with us more than correctional facilities. There are plenty of people in our communities seeking services.”
He prods at a patch of dying embers before adding two logs onto the fire. “Well, they better not be taking you for granted.”
I bump against him. “Most of those guys couldn’t care less about meeting with me. I’m just a necessary evil to meeting their probation.”
“They’re a bunch of ungrateful morons. And I was almost one of them.”
A huff steams off my lips. “I’d never toss you into the same category. But anyway, I believe everyone deserves another chance to prove themselves. Some even need a third or fourth. But you? Don’t feel less than because of the circumstances hefted onto your shoulders. I don’t think you need to seek forgiveness from anyone. Retribution? Sure. It sounds like some revenge is also in order. That’s below