“I don’t think she wants to, and I don’t blame her. Perhaps it would be easier if they transferred me.”
It’d been a week since Mina had confirmed he was Lullu’s father. It had only made things more complicated. Ray was finding it harder and harder to appease the turmoil threatening to wreak havoc in his mind.
“No, Ray. No transfer. Life has brought your paths back together for a reason. To ignore it would be to both your detriment …” She paused and squinted. “… and your daughter’s.” Vestra reached forward and placed her beautifully manicured hand on his shoulder. “I can see you’re struggling with your addiction. I won’t have you backslide on my watch.”
“I’m late for my shift.” It was all Ray could say.
“Okay. But you know what to do if you feel yourself slipping. In the meantime, I will see to it that you and Mina get to sit down again, and this time I will be present. The longer you leave it, the worse it’ll get.”
Ray stood and nodded. “Thank you … and sorry.” He turned to leave the small consultation office.
“Sorry for what?”
Ray turned to face the woman. “There was a time in my life, one I am very ashamed of, but that needs to be acknowledged.”
Vestra raised her eyebrows, steepling her hands beneath her chin. “You going to tell me?”
“You’re a beautiful woman and a blerrie clever one too. I’m sorry I spent so many years allowing colour to influence my perception of the people in this world,” he blurted, spun around, and walked out.
“Apology accepted,” she called after him.
Ray rounded the hill and made for the far end of the bay. His running a saving grace. He pushed harder and faster. His body screamed for him to just give in to his craving, but his determination had other plans. He’d finished a hard day grafting in the warehouses, and still no word from Mina, but Pa had written, mentioning that Rochelle and Thomas were coming up. They wouldn’t be there to see him, but to help Mina out with a problem. He was not to mention his brother-in-law’s job with Interpol.
In the distance, Ray caught the shadow of a slim figure. The closer he came, the more it took shape. It was Mina’s housekeeper, Becky, who stood staring out over the ocean.
Ray took a wide berth as he ran past her. A few hundred metres more, Ray turned and headed back.
Now the woman stood, smoking, her eyes on him as he came closer. She turned her head back toward the ocean and lifted her left hand to her mouth. Ray almost lost his footing when he noticed the mark on her arm. It had to have been her, the person he’d seen on the first night. She turned, her gaze fixed on him, her eyes bright with intrigue as a smirk spread across her face. Ray turned away. Shit.
The question was, who should he tell?
The following afternoon. Ray was summoned to the counsellor’s office.
Vestra had not joked when she’d said she’d sit them both down.
Ray stood at the entrance to Vestra’s office, looking to where the farm’s counsellor sat opposite two chairs, one already taken by Mina.
“Hello Raymond. Please come in, sit down.” Vestra waved to him as Mina’s head snapped back, her eyes wide.
Ray didn’t hide his surprise either. He’d really thought the woman was just trying to appease him. But here they were, barely a day after she’d made the promise.
“What the hell, Vessie?” Mina jumped up. Today she wore a dress. It suited her, all swaths of white cotton with a brown belt that matched the colour of the hair hanging loose around her shoulders. Ray had to force his gaze from her, afraid she’d catch him looking at her in that way again.
“Sit ,Mina. You know as well as I do that this needs to happen. For a counsellor who’s always fought for her inmates to face their truths, you sure don’t walk the talk.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Mina’s voice took on a cold tone.
“That if you want your inmate to succeed, you need to be a part of his healing.” Vestra smiled, her voice like a soft mist.
Ray closed the door and took his seat. The three of them sat in a semicircular formation with a small square table in the centre on which sat a box of tissues, two notepads with pens, and three bottles of water.
“I think we need to pin down the core of this