-2014-
Lena heard the voice of Monty at the other side of her office door. 'So this is Lena Adams Fosters office, I think you will be mostly dealing with her, since she is in charge of the disciplinary side of the students. You will love her, she is great.'
Lena smiled at the compliment that her boss was giving her.
'O, I know she is great', came an amused second voice that Lena did not recognize.
Then a knock and the door opened. Monty and another younger woman walked into her office.
'Lena, remember that I told you that we had funding to hire a child psychologist to help settle the new kids in. The ones that came here through the program?'
The program was a new project were kids from all roads of life were admitted in to the school. Some had severe issues and Lena had lobbied to get them professional help.
'So Mayforth Institute decided to send us one of their psychologists to help those girls and this lovely lady is going to help us out.' Monty continued. 'Lena, meet –'
But Lena interrupted her. 'Gracie Hall', she said warmly and she stood up to greet the woman.
'Actually it is Gracie Thomas now', the third woman grinned as she put up her hand which showed a delicate ring. 'I am married now!'
Lena could not help herself and hugged Gracie. 'It is so great to see you! We haven't heard from you in ages.'
'I know', mumbled the woman, looking down. 'I am so sorry.'
She nervously scratched her neck and Lena smiled, remembering how the girl used to do that when she was younger.
Lena just could not stop smiling, because of this happy reunion. 'This is so amazing', she said. 'wait till Stef hears about this!'
Monty cleared her throat, reminding the other two women of her presence. 'So I take it, you have met before?', she asked.
'Yeah', grinned Lena. 'We have met.'
-2006-
Lena did not usually listen in on telephone conversations of other people, but she had been waiting outside Jesus' therapy building and she was a little bored. Listening to one end of this conversation, she was intrigued. Who was this girl talking to?
'Please, get me out of here Bill. It was a bloody mess, literally.', the girl said, then she was silent like she was listening to the other end of the conversation. 'No, I won't.', she said. 'You should all stop walking on egg shells around me, they took my words way out of context.'
The girl let out a sob. 'Please help me, that is your job right?'.
Silence again, and then a defeated: 'Yes, bye'.
The conversation had ended and Lena felt a bit embarrassed. She felt like she should have not heard that very personal conversation. She went into the coffee shop she was planning to go anyway and was passed by the girl who had been on the phone.
The girl was wearing an apron that indicated that she worked there. Lena could not help herself and touched the girl's arm.
'Are you okay?', she asked.
The girl gave a nod, while nervously looking away. 'Yeah', she chuckled. 'High school, you know.' The girl seemed a bit evasive, but Lena realized that the question was quite personal. Apart from slightly puffy eyes, the girl looked very put together. Under her apron she was wearing an expensive looking blouse and some black trousers. Lena thought the pearls in her ears were real.
Lena ordered her coffee by the girl and she left a big tip, feeling the girl deserved some happiness after that phone call. She then sat in the corner of the coffee shop, sipping her large coffee.
She thought about the irony of her drinking coffee, while her foster son Jesus was at the moment talking to a doctor about ADHD meds. She felt like the more energy Jesus had, the less energy she had. Hence the coffee. She seemed to be running on coffee for the last few months. Three young kids were not easy to handle and also her job was crazy right now. She was now filling in in the admission office, since the regular admission office person was with maternity leave. Lena felt that it was unfair that she could not have maternity leave since the world did not think that she was a new mom as well, even though she was. But then, this job might be a stepping stone to a promotion.
And yet, she would not trade her life for anything else. Her life right now with Stef, Brandon and the twins, it was like she finally did what she was supposed to do. She was so happy. Happy but tired.
Stef had just had a phone call and she could not believe she had agreed. Bill had made a strong case about the girl and it seemed like she and Lena had all the equipment to help this girl.
The hardest part was just to come, she had to call Lena and tell her what she did. She took a deep breath and dialed the number of her girlfriend.
'Hi hon', Stef started. 'How is my little man?'
'Jesus is doing great', Lena said. 'He is in the car with me, doc said that he did great.'
'Hi Stef', came another voice, belonging to her seven year old foster son.
'Can you take me of the speaker, I need to tell you something', said Stef.
'Hold on, I'm pulling over.', Stef could hear the worry in Lena's voice.
When Lena was off the speaker, Stef spoke: 'So honey, I did something and I hope you are gonna love me for it, like you did with the twins…'
Lena's voice was soft and loving. 'Another child?', she asked. 'Is that really the best idea? The twins are still settling in and we are also adjusting to this bigger house and everything.'
'I know, I know', said Stef. 'And I swear I didn't mean to take one more kid in but Bill called and I really feel like we can help this girl.'
Lena stayed silent on the other end. Stef bit her lip. 'She is almost aged out of the foster system, so it will only be for a few months.'
Lena gasped. 'A teenager! Stef I don't think I am equipped to handle a teenage girl. With all the boyfriend trouble and everything.'
'I don't think we need to worry about that', said Stef dryly. 'And darling, all the students at Anchor Beach adore you, you will do great.'
Stef could her Lena taking a deep breath. 'You know what, you are right. We will figure this out when I am home. We can do this.'
'Love you'
'Love you too'.
Stef ended the call.
AN- Reviews make writing so much easier, so please leave one 3
