"I can't believe I was almost late this morning." Marissa confided in her coworker.
"Now, now, you have your grandfather to worry about Marissa, no need to fret on being late. Katherine is very easy in those matters." Jenny said to her.
"Yes, but it still looks bad."
Jenny handed her a cup, the steam evident of what was within, "You have bigger things to worry about than that. Just keep your head up as we tell everyone and things will fall into place."
Marissa smiled, "I would if it wasn't for a certain someone in this building."
"Oh, well then." Jenny said, taking a sip from her own cup, "Can't do much about Sage."
Only being in Canada for a month, Marissa felt right at home. From the land to its people, she was tickled to be there and having things fall into place for herself and her grandfather. Now all she had to do was hope it stayed that way, especially after that morning.
"How is Walter if you don't mind me asking?" Jenny asked as they made their way to the main office.
All she could do was sigh, "I woke to the alarm going off on his machine, seems like he pinched the hose at some point and his oxygen level wasn't good. His sugar wasn't great either, too high this morning. After finally getting him all settled down and fed, he had a fit that caused him to nearly pass out. I just hope that he'll be ok when I get home. He's pretty good when I'm not around."
"Good gracious that's bad." Jenny noted.
"That it was."
"Complaining about life again?" the snarky voice called out.
"Just in yer opinion Sage." Marissa replied.
The woman passed her and Jenny, flaunting herself off as her dress suit was pristine as her hair flounced around and eyes bright and bold, "It's just how you are. We've all seen it."
"I normally keep personal business away from work but it was a simple question of knowing ones well being." Marissa smiled at her, knowing it would get under the woman's skin, "Nothing of what would see as a metaphorical pull of negativity towards others and their jobs. We all hear cases that make us even question our own ability in life and persona yet here we all stand right now, listening to patients lives and helping them gather the strength to stand back up during the darkest times of their lives."
The woman narrowed her eyes at her, beady slits of dark brown bored into her being yet Marissa gave no mind. She hated when others tried to be over others, using brains and money to swing how things should be when it was the heart and soul that mattered the most.
"You do realize that if you get more tongue in this place, you will find yourself elsewhere." Sage warned, "And probably never in this field again."
"Oh I'm aware, yet ya better be holding me down when I take yer scrawny arse to court."
"Is that a threat?"
"Would ya like it to be one?"
"Now you two, please. None of this already." Jenny intervened as Marissa realize how tightly she was gripping her notebook. "Let's let time settle this own, ok?"
With a begrudgingly sigh, Marissa nodded and held her hand out to the woman, "Fine. Truce?"
"Not likely." Sage snickered, "Oh and Marissa, those sweets in the office, you can only have one. Have to watch that girlish figure of yours."
Now that made her boil, she tried to keep her temper down as she muttered under her breath, "Hate to tell ya, men don't always like banging bones."
"Marissa!" Jenny quietly scolded her, "Mind you."
"What it's true." she stated back, "That Sir-Mix-It or whatever didn't say how much he loved bones. It was about big butts and which I am quite happy with my own."
"You are something I'll say that." Jenny laughed at her.
"Thank my granda for that. He was the reason I gain confidence in my body." Marissa stated as they finally entered the large space.
Marissa rested against the frame as Katherine gave her usual pep talk with David on how things should go and how well the company was. It wasn't a lie. The place she hooked was well known and deep even with the hospitals and more, giving her a deeper grasp in the field of counseling.
"Now there are some cases that have approached our doors and needing the best of our staff to handle." Katherine continued.
"Oh well, we know Miss Kiss-ass will get her way." Marissa whispered to Jenny as the snotty woman smiled. "Ya sure she's Canadian?"
"She says so but there are days I think she's American with her attitude." Jenny noted, "Think mother and father were a little too lenient."
"Spare the rod, spoil the child." Marissa nodded.
"That being said, this case is a tough one. Four specialists have been dismissed by the family and patient, seems that it's deeper than most believe." Katherine announced, "So for this, I'm giving it to you, Marissa."
Ok, that wasn't something she was expecting. And nor was Sage as she felt her skin a flame from the woman's stare. With a thankful nod, she took the file from Katherine as she gave her a bright smile and wink.
"Now that was something I wasn't expecting." Jenny whispered to her as she made her way over to her, hearing David dismiss everyone.
"Nor I."
It was truly shocking as she looked over the little girl's file, hearing Sage giving her mind to Katherine and David for their choice, only then did she see why they wanted her.
"Well, I think I have my hands full. Better make a good impression." she noted, finally departing from the woman.
She made her way to the waiting room, knowing that her patient was within, wondering what would go on this time and see if it was even worth it. She had seen the world before, not that her memories helped her any but the times she knew could help her more than believed. Once in the room, she was greeted with the child and her relatives sitting in the room.
Marissa wasn't what most would take as the professional counselor, she was more of the shoulder everyone needed to have, and that's what made her stick out more than most. Approaching the little family, she gave the guardians a small wave and smile as she got down on the floor beside the child.
"What are ya doing there?" she asked as the girl drew and wrote on a pad, "That's quite beautiful there, ya got talent there."
The girl looked up at her in wonder, caution laying within her eyes, evidence that she was hurt quite more than most would have taken. Carefully, the girl slid the pad over to her, flinching away as Marissa looked it over.
"You're quite the artist." she assured the girl, "Better than most I've seen at yer age. You really like doing this?"
A small nod left her, "Well, I have a big easel in my office if ya would like to use it."
Her eyes moved to her guardians as they smiled and nodded. With trembling fingers, she took Marissa's hand and nodded.
"Alright then, let's head to me office."
Making her way back to the room, she could feel the heated glare from Sage as she passed by the rooms, a small triumph running through her head. Finally in the room, she showed the girl everything within, making her as comfortable as possible before she began.
"See, I told ya I had one. You can draw or write whatever yer heart desires. I don't mind." Marissa explained, "See all these on the wall? They're from other children like you when they came in. For you see, I'm not like most counselors."
She turned her head as she eyed the globe on her desk, catching Marissa's eye, "Ya wondering where I'm from huh?"
A small nod left her as the guardians spoke lightly to one another. She pulled the piece down to Marissa and handed her the item. Giving it a spin, Marissa let her fingers trace the bumpy surface of the piece from her grandfather, so old and worn of use. Nations not yet founded or long gone from history, she finally landed on her own.
"Now ya see here, this is Great Britain." she pointed out, "But I'm not from there, I was born just north of it, in the land called Scotland."
Looking closer she found her target, "Right there to be exact. In Aberdeen, Scotland."
She saw the girl's eyes widen in curiosity as she touched the piece as well, "You can have a look at it if ya like, I don't mind at all."
A smile crossed her face as she took the globe to the chair, causing the woman in the room to gasp and the man stared in wonder. Marissa knew she hit something big, it always was when it came to moments like this. Children were scared of the world, and it was easier to get into their minds by getting to their levels of comfort and knowledge and hobbies. The girl's eyes traveled the globe over and over again as Marissa pulled herself closer to the other two.
"Guessing ya haven't seen a smile like that?" she asked.
"You have no idea." the man stated, "Ever since we got her out of that house, she barely looked at us and you not only got her to interact with you but smile."
Tears filled the woman's eyes, "All she's know is pain and abuse. And everyone we went to made it by the book it seemed, not really wanting to know Cassidy. We try and show her love and comfort, I would've taken her out of that home if I knew what my sister and brother-in-law were doing to her, but-"
The woman stopped as she held back a sob. Marissa patted her hand as her eyes went back to the young girl, "Life is cruel. Ya did the best thing by getting her out of there. Time will be the true answer to it all and I don't plan on rushing her out my door. As long as she is comfortable with me and you are as well, I am more than happy to help ya all."
The girl placed the globe back as she looked at the three of them, worry and memories floating in her eyes. Marissa had an idea to give her more to trust in her.
"Ya know what, I think you should be the counselor today."
Now that got all their attention, "I mean it. Here, sit in me chair and I'll get ya a pen and pad. You can take notes down of what we all say and if it makes ya feel good or not. If ya want to ask something, it can wait til the end of the session or until next time when I see ya, if ya want to see me though."
Her eyes were wide at her, unsure of what to think or do as she moved to sit in her chair. Marissa did as said as she placed the items in her hands, moving to the chair next to them.
"Now as I said, you are the counselor and can say what goes or doesn't." Marissa smiled at her, "And while ya do that, I'm gonna speak with yer aunt and uncle here, for you aren't the only one getting counseling in my mind. It's all of ya."
Her eyes brightened as another smile came to her face, her hand moving upon the pad with lightning speed. Marissa felt a hand clasp hers just to see her aunt and uncle smile and thank her quietly. All she could do was smile, knowing they were all off to a good start.
An hour and a half of talking with the family and reading the questions the girl had written her out was more than she thought would go. She wanted to speak but was so afraid to and most never took the time to see the real girl behind the painted mask she wore. And that was what Marissa loved most about her job. She practically flew through her day as others came in and she did her best to help, listen, and guide them to better themselves.
"You are amazing Marissa." she heard Katherine say to her as she readied to leave, "I am happy to have given you that case."
"Thank you, Katherine, it was a pleasure working with her."
"You find anything out?"
"Not yet, but-"
"Then what was your cause of working with her?"
Of course, she would push herself in this, "Ya can't rush these things, Sage. Just because you do doesn't mean I will. I want the girl to feel comfort and peace with me before I go any deeper with her."
"You are to help her, not be her friend." Sage spat.
"At this moment, that's what she needs most." Marissa stated, feeling her voice grow louder, "She needs someone who is willing to listen and be there, not just for the reasoning of past but for future and present as well."
"Then you aren't really doing your j-"
"Enough both of you." Katherine intervened.
"But am I wrong?"
"In this case you are, Sage. It's why I gave it to Marissa."
"Not because she had it as well?"
Now that struck her, "Alright ya pompous bitch, whatever crawled up yer ass about me needs to die off. Since the day I walked in her you have been a thorn in me side and slowly became a festering wound that won't heal. So why don't ya do me the favor and shove off? Yer being a fecking divvy ya are."
"Marissa please." she felt Jenny's hand on her shoulder.
"Sage, my office." she heard Katherine say, "And Marissa, I want you in mine tomorrow morning, understood?"
"Yes ma'am." she nodded as she darted out the door, Jenny following behind.
"I never saw you get like that."
"I normally keep it at an easy level. But prissy up there things ya just have to push yer way through things. That's not how it works. Plus the bitch brought up me past."
"Ah." was all her coworker said.
"I just don't get some people. I really don't." Marissa sighed.
"You won't." Jenny said pulling her coat closer, "Aren't you cold."
"Nah, winter in Scotland is pretty harsh at times. I don't mind it." she replied as she maneuvered on the slippery pathway. "Besides, it helps cool me down before seeing me granda at home. I come back like that, he will move earth and heaven itself to see what hurt his Muncharoon."
Jenny giggled, "I have to say, I love his nickname for you."
"It's one of a kind like him." she smiled, "I'll see ya tomorrow then."
"Will do, have an easy night."
With final waves, Marissa was alone on the street. Passerbyers floating here and there as she ventured farther away from the main hustle and bustle of the place. She didn't mind the walk really, it was something that gave her a moment to think and collect herself on things around her. It was quite peaceful in its own way.
Suddenly her heel slipped out from under her, feeling the sudden weightlessness that she knew would have an ultimate end. Yet it never came. Gathering her surroundings, she noticed something gripping onto her as she practically floated above the pavement.
"Are you alright?" she heard a shy voice call out.
"Bloody hell, yes. I'm sorry about that." she apologized, gathering herself up out of her savior's arms, "I wasn't expecting that ice."
A chuckle left them, "Well it is February in Canada, it's still pretty cold out."
"That is true." she giggled finally looking up just for her memories and dreams to yell at her.
Violet eyes looked into hers as short waves of golden blonde hair moved within the light breeze, the glasses gave his face more of a tender look as his features were soft and comforting. Even his voice began to ring out in her ears as she saw the women once more. It couldn't be.
"Are you ok?" he asked.
"Oh sorry, I got lost in me thought for a moment." she shook her head, "Thank you for saving me from that embarrassment that would have been. I owe ya."
"Oh no, don't worry about that." he waved his hands before him, "It was the least I could do. I didn't want to see you get hurt or anything."
"Please, I feel like I owe ya at least something. Me granda would have shoved money at ya for doing so."
"No, no. No need to do that I swear. Why do you think that anyway?"
Marissa chuckled, "Ya see my body? I'm not what most would call perfect size. Most find it funnier when a heavier girl falls."
"Any woman that falls shouldn't be laughed at, no matter her size."
Oh lord, that was interesting and yet slightly awing, "Then you are a rarity than most."
His laughter filled the air, "Then I am one of a kind if that's the case."
"That ya are." she said swinging her bag over her shoulder, "Well I best get going and let ya get going as well. Thank ya again."
"Wait!" he said as he came closer, his scent of deep woods hitting her like a brick wall, "Where are you heading?"
"Um, Cartier Street, the Coachman Apartments."
"That's a bit away yet and it's soon going to storm, why don't I take you?"
"Oh, now I really have to pay ya then-"
"No you don't." his face was serious, "I would rather know you got home ok than worry afterward about you."
Marissa wasn't sure what to do with this man, yet as the woman came to her mind, her gut made the decision for her, "Alright, ya win."
A shy smile came to him as he nodded to the small garage across the way, "Thank you."
"I'm Marissa by the way. Might as well let ya know who yer dragging around."
His smile could have melted the coldest of hearts as his cheeks flush a blooming pink, oh dear god was he adorably sweet and handsome, and with it, she had a feeling she wasn't going to regret getting in that car with him.
"I'm Matthew."