Total pages in book: 187
Estimated words: 174623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 698(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 174623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 698(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
They bid her farewell.
"Back door open."
"Any pressing matters that need discussing?" Emmalyn asks. "Successes? Failures?"
"I'm dilated to a two already," Traci says.
"That's so exciting," Em responds.
"Won't be long," Misty adds. "Are you still nervous?"
"Terrified," Traci confesses.
"I'm not even going to tell you not to be scared because it won't help," Em begins. "What I can say is that the hospital has an amazing team of doctors ready to face any challenge that may arise."
"I bet you had your girls in Albuquerque," Traci says, a hint of annoyance in her voice.
Laughter floats around.
"I had my girls at the same hospital you'll have yours," Em clarifies.
"I had my boys there, too," Misty adds. "It's an amazing hospital."
"That makes me feel better," Traci replies.
"Is Juliet going to share her story?"
I don't recognize the voice, so I have to presume it's Caroline asking the question. I commit it to memory.
I stiffen, annoyed that she would put the other woman on the spot like that.
"Juliet will share what she's comfortable with when she's comfortable," Em says. "Today we're talking about goals."
Relief and a little gratitude for Emmalyn Anderson make their way through me. The woman is such an advocate for everyone, and as far as I'm concerned, she's the perfect person to involve not just with these shelters but also with Cerberus. I highly doubt Cerberus would be what it is today without that woman's involvement.
"My goal from last month hasn't been met," Caroline says.
"Juliet wasn't here, remember?" Misty says. "Let's discuss it."
"My goal was to be moved to the evening shift so I could start college classes in the fall," Caroline explains for Juliet's sake.
"What steps have you taken to meet that goal?" Em asks.
"I submitted my request to the director."
"And did they tell you no?" Misty asks.
"No," Caroline answers. "I haven't heard anything yet."
"Did you include a date for when you'd like to be moved?" Juliet asks, her voice making my ears perk up just a little more as I move around the edge of the fence and peer down the far side of the house before walking around the back of the fence line.
"Yes, early August."
"Still plenty of time for the move to happen," Em says in a reassuring voice. "Maybe follow up with the director in person?"
"She scares me," Caroline says, her voice weaker than when she spoke before.
"Katherine is a wonderful woman," Em says. "Don't be afraid to ask for what you want. She has a lot on her plate all the time, and it could be on her to-do list, and she just hasn't gotten around to it."
"You know her?" Caroline asks, and the tone of her voice suggests more than a small hint of excitement.
"I do, but before you ask," Em begins. "Remember that we're taking control of our own lives and trying our best to accomplish things without having to depend on others to meet our goals."
"Right," Caroline says.
Her tone makes me narrow my eyes. She seems put out with the idea of having to do something alone, and there's an annoyance in her tone that makes me feel like she isn't impressed with Em's rejection of putting in a good word for her.
I pull in a deep breath, releasing it slowly. Don't get me started on the younger generations' expectations of just being handed more than they have to work for.
Weariness settles inside me, making me feel older than I actually am for even thinking like a grandpa, but it is what it is, I guess.
"I want to buy a houseplant," Juliet says.
"A houseplant?" Traci asks. "That's your goal?"
"Yep. I was thinking maybe an ivy. I think I like the idea of watching something grow and make progress."
"That's a fantastic idea," Misty says.
"What knowledge does the group have to help Juliet meet her goal?" Em asks.
"I don't know shit about plants," Caroline says.
A chuckle sweeps through the group.
"Wal-Mart has plants," Caroline offers. "Oh! I know. That little plant nursery off of Main, down there by the Taco Bell, might have something, and that would support a small business in the community."
"They'll also be very knowledgeable about what would do well inside," Misty adds.
"You'll have to make sure it gets sunlight," Traci says, her voice carrying a hint of a warning.
Silence fills the group for a few beats.
"Pothos is a vining plant," Misty says. "And it does fine with very little light."
"My mom had some of that," Caroline says. "She would take pieces from it and make more plants."
"See!" Em says with a praising tone. "You do know about plants."
"My mom did," she says, sadness in her tone.
"Her legacy lives on through you," Em assures her.
"I could have a plant jungle," Juliet responds.
"Could I have a piece of it?" Caroline asks. "I'd like something that reminds me of my mom in my room."
"Of course," Juliet responds.
"Let's talk about goals set a little further in the future," Em says. "Traci, what do you want to do after the babies are born and you're recovered?"