“I’ve been looking. I found a few places, but the rent isn’t cheap.”
“How much?” Amelia asked.
He looked at Amelia from directly across the table.
“A few hundred more than what Regan said you could afford.”
“Shoot. Well, don’t worry, Amelia, you can stay with me for however long you need to,” Regan said.
“I don’t want to impose like that. I’ll look around, too. I’m just a bit wary of taking on too high of a rent before I even get my first few paychecks. Once I sign a lease, I’m stuck. What if the job doesn’t work out, or if I need the money for something else? I’m already using public transportation until my car gets here from New York.”
“It will get here this week right?” Regan asked.
“It’s supposed to.”
“I have a great idea. Especially since the hospital is only about thirty minutes from here. Why not stay in the bunkhouse down the road? It’s completely renovated. No one is renting it right now,” Elise stated.
“Oh, Mom, that’s a great idea,” Regan said with a smile. Amelia didn’t know what to say.
“Oh, I don’t know, Mrs. Haas. I mean, I don’t have a car as is and Monday I start work.”
“You can take your time moving in once you get settled with your job and your car arrives. You don’t have to pay us rent until you’re settled,” Sam added.
“Yeah, the men and I will make sure it’s all set up for you, the grass mowed, and everything working correctly,” Jordan said then looked at his sons. They all looked a bit pissed off except for Ricky. Ricky had a sly little smirk on his face.
“I’ll pay the rent. Whatever it is, if you’re sure that you don’t mind having me here?”
“Are you kidding? It’s a great idea. I wish I had thought of it,” Regan said and smiled.
Amelia wasn’t too sure, but as she thought about Regan and her friend’s love life, she accepted Elise’s offer.
“Thank you so much, Mrs. Haas. Mr. Mr. and Mr. Haas,” Amelia said then chuckled. They all laughed.
“Just call us by our first names, honey. You’re family now,” Elise stated and Amelia felt the tears reach her eyes.
If only that were true.
Chapter 5
“So how were your first two weeks of working here, Amelia? Feeling comfortable yet?” her new boss, Toby Conlin, asked.
She was a bit overwhelmed with the caseload and trying to organize the group activities for the next week.
“It’s a lot of work, but I think I’ll come up with a system in no time.”
He smiled at her as he leaned against her desk. He was an attractive man. Older, in his fifties and divorced. He had a girlfriend, Mary, whom Amelia met just yesterday afternoon.
“So, what do you think of the group members and the numerous groups we offer for the veterans?”
Amelia swallowed that uneasy feeling in her gut. It was more difficult than she expected. These groups had a lot of men who were maimed or severely injured in the war.
“Honestly, it was a bit tough at first. There are so many emotions going on in the groups. But I’m impressed with the numbers. Back in New York, there were very small groups. A lot of men refused help, even those who got into trouble with abusing alcohol or drugs.” As she said the words, her heart ached for them and for the memories of her brothers and father.
“We talked about this yesterday. The way you assisted Carter was amazing. He’s had difficulty opening up and accepting help.”
“I could tell that he wanted to talk. I knew something was up with him immediately. I just don’t know what made him take those pills. You said he’s been coming here for the last three months.”
“It happens, Amelia. Sometimes even the consistent attendees fall back to bad habits. But you have great ideas to keep them motivated to continue. I especially like your idea about some trips out of the hospital. A lot of these men don’t have any family.”