/> She snapped into work mode. Angsting later, professional now. “Well, you don’t look happy to be leaving tomorrow.” She opened the top folder and took out the few sheets of paper he needed to sign. “What’s wrong? Still nervous?”
He frowned. “I’ve just been wondering . . . What’s the point?”
“Of what?”
“Everything. I have no wife and kids. My parents and sister won’t talk to me. I have one brother who says he wants to help, but he’s so busy with his job, I only get a few minutes to talk to him every couple weeks.” He shrugged. “What’s the point of living if you have nothing and no one to live for?”
She’d considered the very same thing, especially as each birthday passed without anyone significant to share it with. It wasn’t quite as bad as Sean—she had friends and her aunt and uncle, at least—but still, those sentiments snuck in once in a while. What was the point?
“There’s more to being happy than having people—”
He shook his head. “I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but there’s not for me. I’m not one of those people that can live for myself. I wouldn’t be happy taking vacations all alone, no matter how great they are. I need people around me to keep going, but right now, I have no one.”
“Then use that. You don’t want to die alone, so live the next part of your life finding people to connect with. Prove to your family that you’ve changed. Fix those broken bridges.”
He looked doubtful that would work.
“It can happen. I’ve seen it happen. Remember what we talked about in group. Set small goals for yourself and only engage in positive self-talk. It’s easy to leave here and fall into old habits, but if you don’t let the negativity get to you, then you’ll be fine.”
Reluctantly, he nodded. His eyes brightened a bit before he spoke. “I really don’t want to end up back here. No offense.”
“None taken. And if you don’t want to come back here bad enough, then you won’t. You have a determined spirit. You’re not done fighting. I can tell.”
The confidence in her voice seemed to lift his mood, and he smiled. “I’m glad at least one person believes in me.”
“We all do. The other staff too.”
“It’s a good place here. I don’t want to come back, but you do good work.”
She almost laughed. His first week there he’d ranted at every worker about what a shithole the place was. And now he was singing praises. What a difference sobriety made.
“Here.” She pushed a few papers across the desk. “Now, for the signing of the papers,” she said majestically. “Your final step. It’s a test of patience.” With a wink, she handed him a pen.
Her faith in him wasn’t false. She really did believe he could make it. It was her job to believe in all her clients, but some were more ready than others to take that final step to stay clean. Sean was more than ready.
After he signed the papers, she told him she’d see him off the next day. The center had a tradition when a client was released. They all stood at the door with balloons and each one of them shook the client’s hand and wished them well.
With Sean’s last appointment out of the way, she had one challenge left for the day. Dealing with Banner wouldn’t be quite as easy.
She took out her phone and texted him.
Can we meet somewhere and talk soon?
He answered right away, surprising her. Shouldn’t he be in some important business meeting?
Today? The coffee shop on Main Street?
So soon? Was she ready? No. She needed confirmation that she wasn’t crazy. She and Janine had a date to watch reality TV and eat junk food. Those binge-fests were her one guilty pleasure. Tonight, she’d talk it through with her, just to make sure she wasn’t making a mistake.
With a deep breath, she answered Banner. How about tomorrow after work? I get out at 4.
She stared at the phone, expecting another quick response.
Tomorrow, 4:30. I’m buying.
After confirming, she tucked her phone away and turned to her computer. Maybe writing the discharge report on Sean would keep Banner out of her mind. She had a whole day until confrontation time. Weird, she’d never been shy about confrontation before. Of course, she’d never had someone affect her the way Banner did either.
Submissive training shouldn’t be distracting her at work, making her feel horny all the time, and screwing with her emotions. That was proof enough things were getting out of control. Tomorrow she would end their arrangement and agree to stay friends.