After school, I didn't see James. That was probably a good thing, though. The last thing I needed was Cathy interrogated me about him.
Almost as soon as we walked in front door, the phone rang. I went to get it.
"Hello?" I answered. "Hi, this is Elizabeth. Is Emily home from school?" the person on the other end asked. "Speaking." I replied, "Who is this again?" "Oh, hey Emily. This isn't really anybody named Elizabeth. This is Alyssa Craig, the social worker." I was confused, "Ok….why the fake name?" "I know your dad hit you. Your siblings saw it happen and called me. They got my number from your dad's cell; they're pretty resourceful. I'm sorry it took so long for me to get this cleared. Geez, you're going to graduate soon. Stupid people and their stupid forms. You need to listen carefully. Only say 'yes' and 'no'; I don't want your father getting suspicious. He has no idea what I'm doing. You got all that?" She told me. "Yes." I said. "Good." Alyssa commented, "Now, I've got permission, due to abusive circumstances, to talk to you alone so I can clear you to visit your mom. I think your father has been using things against you to get you to hold the truth from me. Is this true? Don't lie to me. I need your participation." "Yes." I answered, truthfully. She went on, "Alright; must get my instincts from my father. Now, you need to make up an alibi; just whatever you want. It's probably best if your father didn't really know where you're going; just be careful. I'll see you soon." She gave me her address and I hung up the phone.
Dad was home now and hovering around in the living room. I reached into my pocket to get out my cell and dial the number. James answered on the second ring, "Hello, Emily." "Hey." I replied, "Are you busy?" He took a moment to respond, "Not at the moment, I'm all yours." Dad moved closer, pretending to look at the pictures on the mantle. "I think now would be a good time to finish our paper." I said, "It's due really soon and I'm not when I'll be free again. Can I come over?" "Absolutely." He replied, "I'll text you my address." "Ok. Thanks." I told him, "But, first, I need to stop by the library to get a few things. I might be a while." "Take all the time you need." James replied, "I think I've proven what a patient guy I am." I tried to his my smile, "I guess I'll see you in a bit. Bye." "Bye." He responded.
Dad was still by the mantle. "Can I go over to my partner's house? We need to finish the senior paper." I explained. "I can't deny you working on things for school." He answered, "Just go."
I caught a bus at the stop down the road. I had to switch buses a couple time since Alyssa Craig's office was just outside of Queens.
When I got there, she was standing outside. Alyssa waved at me as I got off the bus, "Good work on finding the place. It's tough commute, even for me. I usually take the subway."
Alyssa Craig led me into the building and up to her office on the third floor. "Make yourself at comfy." She told me as I sat on the couch. The room was pretty bare except for a few pictures on the desk and one hanging by the window. It was a pencil drawing of a guy sitting casually on a park bench, holding a cigarette. "Do you draw that?" I asked Alyssa, nodding toward the drawing. She shook her head, "No, a friend of mine did. It's a draw of my boyfriend; he passed away about ten years ago." "Oh, I'm sorry." I commented. "It's alright." She replied softly.
Alyssa sat at her desk, flipping through some papers. "Everything seems to be in order." She informed me, "Your mom is all set to move into the home. I'm going to need a signed statement from you on the form that prohibits your father from having any contact with your mother while she is in the group home; this includes phone calls and emails. But, maybe before you sign we should talk. What's been going on lately?" I shrugged, "Nothing I'm not used to. Dad hasn't hit me again but, it's always in the back of my mind. I'm afraid he'll lose his temper again and I won't be around. I don't want anything to happen to Mandy or Michelle; thought he only appears to be mad at me." "How so?" Alyssa Craig asked me. "Sometimes it's about my future; I don't have a clear direction yet. Right now, I just want explore my options but, he doesn't like that. He also thinks I have an attitude problem." She looked at me in disbelief, "What? Why?" "Because I talk back to him on what happened with my mom." I answered, "He knows I blame him for everything and that makes him angry." "Just playing the devil's advocate here, "Alyssa warned, "but your father did not force your mom to drink or to purposely wreck Cathy's car." I nodded, "I understand that but, he drove her to it; he lied and cheated. I blame him for hurting her." "That's understandable." Alyssa Craig stated, "But, just try and see it from both sides. I don't condone him hitting you. This is just my professional opinion to see it from both perspectives." "What's your personal opinion?" I asked, "Tell me." She smiled wryly, "I think he's a hot-tempered pervy old man who lacks self respect and common sense."
Alyssa changed the subject, "So, what is it that your dad is holding over you?" "Money." I replied, "He threatens to take away my college fund if I disobey him. That college fund money is the only money I have to my name. Dad does everything he can to prevent me from getting a job; he's even called places and told them not to hire me because I will steal. I mean, I could just take off but how am I supposed to get a job with no experience and no references? I want to make a better life for myself than I have now." Alyssa nodded, "I see. He's using your finical situation against you. I get it now. I can't force you to put your future at risk. Are you sure you want to sign?" "It's fine." I replied, "Yes, I'm sure I want to sign. I'm sick of all this drama; give me the paper." She handed me the form and I wrote next to Dr. Kellerman's statement. "What will happen to Mandy and Michelle?" I wondered out loud. "I'll watch them." Alyssa Craig stated, "This form also goes to child protective services, most likely they will ask me to stay assigned to your family. If your father his anymore 'outbursts' they might be taken from the home or Cathy will need to leave with them."
We both stood then, and she shook my hand, "Thank you for doing this Emily. Your mom is going to be in a really good place." "Yeah," I said, "I think being distanced from Dad will put her mind at ease." Alyssa agreed, "Dr. Kellerman thinks the same thing; that's why he wanted to make a statement also. Do you need me to show you the way out?" I shook my head, "No, I'm good. I need to go do something for school. Oh!...By the way, I'm sorry for how I was before. I was kind of out of it." She smiled, "It was no big deal; at least you didn't try to shoot me or anything. It's really ok. Honestly, afterward's I thought it was me. I have a double major, one in psychology and one in criminal justice. Sometimes, I get a little intense and go into 'bad cop interrogation mode'. Let's just forget the whole thing. Good luck with whatever you have to do for school." I just nodded and hurried out of the office, hoping to catch bus I had seen out the window.