Disclaimer one: There isn't one. These characters are mine! Hahahahahahahaha! (Uh, in
case you're wondering, that was maniacal laughter.)
Disclaimer two: There is violence, explicit language, sex (later) and (gasps) lesbian
subtext! Yesss! Sooo, if it is not for you don't send me an email saying so just don't
read! You silly goose! For those of you that like this kind of stuff, strap in and get
ready for the ride.
This is story two in the Perspectives Series. It is immediately following the first story,
and it really must be read first in order to understand what is going on. The deal has
been made between Cory and Taylor, and the adventure begins.
Dedication: To Camille. Also, special thanks to my new beta reader Steph.
Now, on with the show.
It's in the Eyes of the Beholder
(Second Installment in Perspectives Series)
By
Minerva
Chapter III: The Start of a New and Ordinary Day. . . Not
Taylor turned from HealthWatch. That was enough CNN for this morning. She tucked her leg
in under her, not caring that the silk boxers rode up well-formed thighs, and began to
flip through the channels. The pictures began to whir together as her mind strayed to her
smug employee. That word just fit somehow. Smug. The woman was smiling just a little too
much when she finally came back to Taylor's office to hammer out the details of the
'deal.' As the blonde talked, her smile seemed to get bigger and bigger, as she explained
that Taylor's 'Donna Karan' skirts had no business out in the field. The gist of the deal
was that the admin was to accompany the caseworkers once a day on a visit that they
picked.
The admin had stared, from behind her desk, at the two in disbelief, when the blonde told
her this. She even got the distinct feeling that the petite woman wanted to smack her lips
in delight, and in return, she glared at them both, barely resisting the urge to snarl.
Firing was too good for Cory now. The older woman just wanted to throttle her. As far as
her lackey Barb, she wondered if the lady could speak or if she was overwhelmed by the
personality of the irritating blonde. Reluctantly, she had agreed and asked for more time
to discern her end of the bargain.
Silver blue eyes continued to stare through the TV. The insults that flew from that
blonde's mouth had to stop. Taylor rubbed her creased brow, as she tried to figure out why
she was taking it in the first place. Why on earth was she even going along with this
deal? Maybe she wanted to earn the blonde woman's respect. Maybe she wanted to really care
about the people she was supposed to help. Maybe.
"No, no, no!" The tall woman remarked to the empty room. She jumped up from the
couch, vehemently shaking her head. Heading for the kitchen, she pushed black strands back
in place by running her hands haphazardly through the mane. Symbolically, the impending
thoughts were smoothed away as well. Tearing open the refrigerator, she poured a tall
glass of milk and sipped it with a contented murmur, knowing hands then reached in the
cabinet for the crunchy peanut butter and a spoon. Balancing her booty in her hands
precariously, she headed back to the couch to watch TV.
It was a little past 6:30, and she had gotten up early enough this time to continue her
habitual morning rituals. After sitting the glass of milk on the table, she plopped back
down on the couch and tucked a leg under her once more. She spooned a healthy portion of
peanut butter in her mouth and crunched on it idly. Blue eyes squinted as she peered at
the TV in disgust.
"How the hell did it get on this channel? Pokemon. What on earth is a Pokemon?"
She continued to stare incredulously at the TV. "Yeah, Pikachu to you too
buddy."
She clicked the channel button on the remote with a smirk. 'Did they think kids were
idiots these days. Who watched those kind of cartoons?' She blurred through the channels,
finally finding something familiar. Smiling around the spoon, she sat up a little
straighter as the Sportscenter theme song came on. The woman almost clapped upon seeing
the commentators, Stewart and Rich, knowing those two were hilarious. They even made
football interesting. Laughter gurgled through a full mouth, thick with peanut butter for
the next thirty minutes. Suddenly, she jumped up in outrage, seeing her alma mater,
Rutgers, had gotten beaten again by the team she termed 'the prissy girls' from UCONN.
The tall woman sat the jar down with a thud, spoon included, and proceeded to yell,
"Dammit Vivian! You need a point guard for christsakes. You can't be that
blind!"
She looked around the apartment slightly embarrassed. 'Damn, I've gotta stop that.' She
then unceremoniously smacked the peanut buttered spoon back into her mouth. The
dark-haired woman stretched her long frame to grab the milk and took a healthy swig to
ease her breakfast down, not caring as cool drops dribbled on her tank top. Taylor looked
up at the wall clock, realizing it was time to get ready for the day. After putting away
the food, she headed back toward the bedroom to the closet. Her progress was stopped at
the nightstand as the phone rung.
"Helwo?" She said still swallowing down the last of the peanut butter.
"Tch, tch, didn't anybody ever teach you not to talk with your mouthful? How's
Bumfuck so far, Tay?"
Taylor laughed. "Ah, Wendy, should have known it was you. No one else would have the
audacity to call me this early."
"Uh, huh. Come on, come on. Tell me!" The red-head impatiently persisted.
"Well, for lack of a better word, it's interesting. There are some unexpected things
that I've had to deal with," Tara remarked tentatively.
Hundreds of miles away an auburn eyebrow rose at the sound of hesitation and confusion in
her friend's voice.
"You sure everything's okay? I don't like the way you sound."
'Shit!' Sometimes that woman could read her too clearly. "Uh, yes, everything's fine.
I'm dealing with it."
"You're not going to tell me are you?"
"What? There's nothing to tell." Taylor answered calmly.
"Okay, when you're ready I'm here. You know that."
Silent for a moment, the other woman finally answered, "Yeah. Listen, I have to get
ready for work. I'll call you later this week."
"Alright Tay, you're the boss."
Wendy hung up the phone wondering what the something or who the some one was that had
gotten to her stoic friend.
Taylor listened to the dial tone for a few seconds and then hung up the phone. "Yes,
I am the boss. Time to make people realize that." With a confident smirk, she
sauntered toward her closet. Pulling out a pair of khakis and a light, white tee, her
smiled got bigger. "Let's see if you really can take me on Ms. Donovan." She
stripped out of the boxers and top, heading for a quick shower.
******
Cory giggled around a mouthful of frosted flakes. It wasn't often she was able to catch
Scooby-Doo, one of her favorite cartoons, with her crazy schedule, so she considered this
a treat. No early calls, and her beeper didn't go off once. She was going to enjoy this
part of her morning. Peering back at the TV, she giggled again. Despite popular opinion,
she just knew Velma was jealous of the many times Fred and Daphne went off alone to look
for 'clues', while she was stuck with the tweddle dumb and dumber. It all depended on how
one saw things.
Her pale blue pajama clad legs were propped on the coffee table to maximize comfort. She
knew this was one of the reasons the people at the office called her 'kid.' It wasn't just
the youthful looks and small stature that didn't go along with her twenty-four years. It
was a combination of things. She was infamous for approaching matters with a big heart and
wild abandon despite the situation and the consequences. Ray called it youthful
exuberance. Her mother used to call it going off half-cocked. Now, she just shook her head
when Cory related tales about her times in the field.
She sighed thinking that was maybe why she had yet to have a successful relationship,
being too open and too trusting-- just enough to be taken advantage of. Of course, there
was also the vintage Scooby-Doo pencil holder and mouse pad she had on her desk. That
didn't help matters at all. She smiled remembering the Scooby-Doo cake her co-workers had
gotten her for last year's birthday. Her smile turned into a small sneer as she wondered
if that tall block of blue ice would even go for a little fun in the office. She certainly
didn't seem the type. The sneer turned into a frown. She couldn't understand why she had
been so insulting to the woman. It was so unlike her to actually call people out of their
names. She was brash. True. She was opinionated. True. Still, she had never been
intentionally cruel until she met Taylor Wilson.
Cory could feel her back teeth start to grind involuntarily. Even the name irked her. The
woman was everything she despised in their field: out of touch, close-minded, statistics
oriented, and cold as a witch's teat. The frown turned into a smirk. It was time to take
Ms. Wilson back to school. She smiled outright as she heard her mother's voice in her head
saying, "Cory Alexander Donovan, I know you're up to something. I can see it gleaming
in your eyes." 'Mom, you know me so well,' she thought to herself, making a mental
note to call her mother later in the week. She had plans for tall, dark, and icy alright.
Plans to take her on the worst calls in the worst neighborhoods. She was going to get the
other woman's hands, face, and that damned Donna Karan dirty as hell and enjoy every
minute of it. "Anything for the families in this community, and the added bonus is
sticking it to Jackie Frost," she said aloud. The blonde caseworker sucked down her
juice she had almost forgotten on the table, when she saw the time at the bottom of the TV
screen. A new workday was about to begin. She stretched with a languid purr, clicked off
the TV, and padded into the bedroom.
Chapter IV: Office Hi-jinx and Cold Shoulders. . . .
Taylor arrived at the office disgustingly early only to have an eyebrow shoot up into her
bangs, when she realized Shelley was already there. Hearing the bustling around in the
other office, she knocked on the adjoining door. Leaning against the doorframe, she gave a
small smile to the older woman, who gave her a bigger one in return as she looked up.
Shelley stared at her boss intensely, taking in the casual attire. She liked the young
woman and felt her worthy of advice.
"I'm not fooled by the casual appearance. You're ready to go to war with the young
one out there. Aren't you?"
Taylor looked down at her hands, pursed her lips, and glanced upward again.
"I wouldn't call it that, but I'm ready to do what I have to do."
Shelley got up from her chair to sit on the far edge of her desk, closer to the other
woman. "Don't underestimate her. She's good at what she does, and I know she will do
anything to get her point across. If she steps on your toes, pull back a little, regroup,
and approach again. She's one of the best here. I'd hate to see her go because she cares a
little too much."
Taylor was silent for long minutes, gazing at her assistant from under hooded eyes.
'I have no intention of firing her if that's what your getting at. I just have a slight
problem with habitual insubordination," she replied sarcastically.
"Ah, I see, but maybe she just wanted to get her point across before . . ."
"Yes, she wants me to see through her eyes." Taylor interrupted.
"Mmm, and you want her to see through yours?"
The young woman nodded.
"Well, that could be hard if neither set of eyes are entirely open to what they are
going to see. Now, couldn't it?"
Silver blue narrowed to slits. "Just what are you trying to say?" She said
quietly, dangerously.
Shelley held up her hands. "Don't get your feathers ruffled. All I'm saying is don't
make this a token experience. You should actually look and see what's actually out there,
not just see what coincides with the numbers."
Taylor's eyes narrowed a little more. 'This woman was full of surprises. She has the gall
to speak to me like that, and she seems to know a little bit about everything and
everyone. Maybe she should be running this place. Maybe some of the people here were worth
taking the risk of getting to know them.' Maybe.
The younger woman was silent for a second more. "We'll see, but she has got to be
willing to really see my side of things also. I haven't gotten it all figured out, but I
want her to see what I have to go through, including who I have to fight with. It's not
easy as sitting behind a desk."
"True. I know that. Maybe if she sees you're being receptive to being in the field,
she will show you the same respect. Cory strikes me as a fair person."
"Mmm," was the other woman's only reply out loud. 'More like obnoxious person,'
she said to herself. "Well, I'm going to look over some files until they get in. Oh,
please be prepared to take calls regarding the vacant spots probably starting tomorrow as
well as resumes." Taylor pushed herself away from the door frame.
"Alright, I'll bring your tea right in."
The admin smirked and made an exit.
******
Forty five minutes later, Cory walked into the office only to be immediately accosted by
Barb. She smiled down at her friend.
"I'm about to make your day start off with a bang, kid."
Cory smirked. "Oh, really, and before I've had my coffee too. Do tell."
Barb linked arms with the blonde as they made their way to the younger woman's desk.
"We've got a call. Looks like a good candidate for Frosty too. Beautiful, but Frosty.
Mae called me from CPS. They want us to follow up with services. The lady, Tina, already
knows that we're coming around eleven-ish. Her husband is a crack addict. Apparently, he
spends all the money, and the kids are being neglected. A neighbor called it in because
she 'got tired of the smell and the kids looking dirty and hungry all the time,'" the
older woman recited from memory.
"Hmm, sounds interesting."
"What the call or beautiful and frosty?" Barb asked innocently. She knew that
she was simply trying to get a rise out of her friend, but there had to be some reason for
her dislike of their new boss. The sparks flew when they got together. Something was
underneath.
Cory glared at her, choosing to ignore the comment. "Anyway, let me get coffee, and
we'll go break the news to the boss lady."
The young blonde's eyes squinted and something in between a smirk and a sneer formed on
her face. Barb looked on amazed.
"Wooo wee kid! Whatcha got brewing in there? Look at me, come on. Now, this is my
scared face."
Cory turned, taking in her friend's features.
"Barb! That looks a lot like your 'I gotta go to the bathroom now face."
"Nuh, uh, that's this one."
She tried to roll her eyes in the back of her head and thinned her lips.
"See, and I also do a little dance."
Cory laughed. She couldn't help herself. "Oh my God, you're nuts. I just know
it!"
They giggled, making their way toward the coffee island, and then smiled seeing Ray
already there. The tall, black man's eyes were closed, and he was humming as he sipped
from his coffee cup.
Before they were within three feet, he spoke, "Morning ladies. Looks like it's going
to be another hot one."
Cory jumped in surprise. She didn't think he saw them.
"Geez Ray, how do you do that?"
He smiled as he opened his eyes.
"Coffee, it has magical powers."
He patted her on the shoulder and made his way back to his desk.
The two women looked at each other again, giggling.
Barb poured her friend a cup of coffee.
"You think I'm nuts, but that man is in a class by himself before and after
coffee."
"Yeah, but at least he's normal post-coffee. It's pre-coffee Ray that's scary."
"Well, the hubby is like that pre-sex. He grunts when I ask him questions. You'd
think he was mute, but bang, a few minutes after sex, you'd think he was Jay Leno or
something," Barb added with a wistful look in her eyes. "Although, I wish he
would stay gruntman sometimes."
Cory stared at the older woman, shook her head, and strolled away toward the general
direction of her desk. Barb followed close behind.
"What? Was it something I said?"
The blonde turned, head still shaking, with amusement curling the edges of her mouth.
"One word. Insane."
"Awww, that's all you're going to say? I left myself wide open. Tch, you're slipping
kid. Maybe I need to get you a sign that says, 'Insert sarcasm here."
Cory turned to her friend, swinging her chair around, and narrowed green eyes. The older
woman squinted back then covered her mouth to keep from spitting out coffee as the young
woman stuck out her tongue petulantly. Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. Barb
wagged her finger in Cory's direction.
"Kid, you . . ."
The words died on her lips. Hearing an office door open, she looked up to see Taylor
standing in the doorway. Her coffee threatened to come up again. Even causally dressed,
the woman was imposing. There was something different about her this morning, but the
older woman couldn't put her finger on what exactly it was. 'Ah, there it is again.' Now
knowing what she saw, she looked over at her young friend, hoping she could see the 'uh
oh' she was trying to communicate with her eyes. She didn't get it. Barb had seen the
unmistakable glint of determination gleaming in the blue. 'Cory, you may have met your
match here, kid', she said to herself. She only hoped she was prepared for it.
Taylor raised a perfectly arched dark eyebrow a the older woman's scrutiny. 'Ah, maybe she
has backbone after all,' she thought, watching and reading the myriad of emotions chasing
themselves across her face. She stared a moment more then turned her attention to the
woman she had dubbed the 'smug, irritating blonde.' 'Well, it was time. Let the war
begin.' Pushing her tall, lanky body from the doorframe, she walked toward the blonde
caseworker, stopping somewhere both beside and behind her. She waited to be acknowledged.
Cory just knew the admin was the one that came out of the office, not Shelley. Her teeth
instantly started to grind, and she could feel the vein in her forehead pulse, as if ready
for a fight. To top it all off, there was also that damned perfume she wore, smelling of
something spicy and dangerous. It irritated her even more. She swung around, searching her
mind for a decently smart remark. It hung in her throat. The younger woman took in the
other woman's attire. 'She's serious about this. Isn't she?' Not knowing what else to say,
she brought up the impending appointment. "We have a family to go see around eleven.
You joining us?"
The older woman stared down at her with snapping blue.
"Good morning to you too Cory, and that would be yes. I'll go, and I even left Donna
at home. I hope Levi will do," the woman said scathingly.
Cory equaled the stare with defying eyes.
"I wouldn't care if you came naked as long as you've prepared to get dirty."
Cory heard Barb gurgle as coffee came out of her nose, but she didn't look away from
challenging blue. Taylor refused to be shaken. In a complete turn around, the tall woman
smiled, slowly, ferally, baring straight white teeth. The petite woman had the decency to
swallow and look away. Blue eyes glinted ominously but well contained.
"Tell me about the visit."
Cory cleared her throat. "Um, CPS has a real case for neglect. The father is a crack
addict and apparently he uses all the family's money for drugs. The kids have no food, and
the house is a mess. They want to see if we can do anything before more drastic measures
are taken, and the kids are removed."
Taylor glanced quietly down at the blonde, and then she blinked.
"Mmm," was the reply before she turned and went back into her office leaving the
door open.
Cory glanced toward Barb and whispered, "Mmm? That's all she had to say?! Unfeeling
bitch!"
"Geez Cor, aren't you being a little hard on the woman? What did you expect her to
say? Oh goody, I can't wait? Come on, you don't have to call her out of her name."
"Just who's side are you on anyway, Barb?"
"I'm on yours kid, but you have to realize that she's willing to take a big step and
actually come with us. That must count for something."
Cory sighed and looked away before answering, "Maybe."
Just maybe.
Cory completely turned away, pretending to work on her computer in an attempt to collect
her thoughts. She knew she was being overly callous, but she also knew that she couldn't
control her reaction to the woman, which made her angrier. 'I deserve to be fired for the
things I've said to her. Why am I reacting this way to her and why does she take it?' The
blonde felt anger seething through her body again and gritted her teeth in reaction. She
had to get under control, and she knew it.
Taylor tapped her fingers on the desk, trying to figure out why she tolerated the blatant
antagonism dripping from the woman just outside her office. Not meaning to speak out loud,
she commented just as Shelley stuck her head through the door.
"I wonder, has she always been like that?"
"Who Cory? No, she's really a sweet girl and very well liked around the office. I
suppose she just doesn't like change, and you my dear are the change agent. So, she's
lashing out at you. Give her time I think she'll settle into it."
"We'll see. Did you want something Shelley?" The younger woman asked with a
raised eyebrow.
"Yes, I have a doctor's appointment at 12:30 so I'll be. . ."
"Are you okay?" Taylor asked in genuine concern.
Yes, just routine stuff, really."
Dark brows scrunched together in worry. "Okay, why don't you just take the rest of
the day off and mark it as a personal day."
"You sure you won't need me for anything?"
"No, it's going to be a light day. I think I can handle it, but be prepared to work
tomorrow."
She gave the older woman a slight smile. Shelley smiled and closed the adjoining door to
their offices.
The admin assistant went straight for the door that opened out into the cubicles. The
older woman peeked out at the blonde caseworker and cleared her throat to get her
attention. 'Maybe I could help matters along a little bit.'
"Cory?"
The blonde turned.
"Can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Sure Shelley, what's up?"
"Come into my office please."
Cory walked in and had a seat concern showing in her gaze.
"It's nothing bad, just relax. I just wanted to talk to you."
The young woman visibly relaxed.
"Okay."
"Um, the buzz around the office is that you clash with the new admin."
"Wait, wait. Did she put you up to this? Don't tell me she has you brainwashed to
believe that these changes are vital?"
"If you'll calm down, I'll answer your questions."
The woman still bristled, but settled down a bit. She had healthy respect for the older
woman.
"No, she didn't put me up to this. I'm just concerned because this could turn into a
volatile situation. You could be fired at anytime for insubordination. You know
that?"
Cory nodded.
"Yet, you pick and pick at things like a sore wound. You have to get yourself under
control because you're important around here. What you are doing isn't very
professional."
"I know. I know Shelley. It's just that she rubs me the wrong way and my reactions
just go all over the place. She's cold, unfeeling, and knows nothing about what goes on
out there."
"From talking to her, personally, I can say that she is not what you think she is.
She has a lot of armor up to ward off attacks like the ones you've been giving her."
The older woman looked at Cory, who squirmed in her seat, pointedly. "You can't work
like this, Cory. It's going to effect everything you do, even helping others. Some kind of
stalemate needs to be reached soon. Get to know her. Get to know each other. I think you
may find that you are both passionate about the work you do."
Cory looked away, peering down at her hands. 'Ugh, she's right girlie, but how are you
going to do it?' She glanced back up at her co-worker.
"I'll try, but if I can't, I guess I'll be looking for another job."
"I hope it doesn't come to that Cor. It would be bad for us and the community."
Shelley looked at her warmly. Cory smiled back. She knew there was a reason they called
the woman Momma Shell around the office. She was forever the voice of reason.
Cory exited the office and slowly walked to the open door of the other one. She knocked on
the doorframe. Taylor looked up more than slightly surprised, and it showed in her voice.
"Yes?"
"Uh, will you be ready to go by 10:20?" The younger woman asked in a soft voice.
Taylor leaned back in her chair, joining her hands in an arch.
"Yeah, I will. Do I need to bring anything special?" She asked evenly.
"Just your cell and beeper in case there's trouble."
The admin nodded mutely, and Cory nodded in return before leaving the office. Taylor
pursed her lips and tapped her fingertips together. 'That was interesting. Very much so.'
Chapter V: . . . . And the Adventure Begins
The ride was made in strained silence. Barb's Regal was taken for it's size and the
comfort factor. Driving, Barb filtered back through her life. 'Yep, she's the first person
to make my hands sweat.' The older woman looked at her boss out of the corner of her eye.
'How could the woman stand it? Didn't anything phase her?' She cut her eyes to the mirror,
spying Cory fidgeting in the back seat.
"Hey Barb? Do you want to do the adult assessment of should I?"
Barb could see the sneer forming on her friend's face. 'Oh God, shut up Cory! You know I
always do the children's assessments!' It was too late. Her mouth opened.
"Or we could let the newbie do it."
Barb closed her eyes and waited for the sharp retort.
None came.
"No, I'll just watch," the admin replied.
Barb did her own watching as her friend turned ten shades of red. 'Here we go,' the older
woman thought.
"What's wrong? I thought surely with your prestigious degrees, you wold have learned
to read and comprehend."
Cory's conscience screamed at her to shut up, but she just couldn't help herself. Taylor
turned toward the backseat with lips pursed in controlled anger.
"Why on earth would you think that? In all your years of education you have yet to
learn to keep your mouth shut!" Her voice was a dangerous whisper.
Barb cringed. 'One for the admin and zero for Cory.' The quiet woman could feel the sparks
flying throughout the car, piercing the back of her neck with awareness. Cory's mouth
dropped in shock. 'She talked back, and damn, that hurt. Is that what she feels when I dig
into her? Or does she feel anything?'
Taylor clenched her jaw and fists, trying to swallow anger. 'This woman was really turning
out to be a class 'A' bitch. Shelley was dead wrong. Ms. Donovan may need another job with
a boss that has a modicum of toleration for her antics. It sure as hell isn't me at the
moment,' her mind screamed.
Barb stopped the car and tentatively turned to both of them.
"Um, we're here."
They had moved from neighborhood to neighborhood going from destitute to the equivalent of
nuclear waste dump.
Cory pushed the back door open with vehemence then stopped. Her heart jumped in her throat
then dropped into her stomach as she took in the sight. The yard alone signified a cry for
help. Huge black garbage bags littered the yard. Some of them were whole and some had been
ravaged to little black pieces of plastic that had long since lost their remains. Garbage
spilled precariously out of the whole bags, adding to the torn paper, diapers, and food
that already covered the ground. The sun beat down and helped the flies rush
decomposition. Bicycle parts, rusty rims of tires, and a dreary looking kitchen stove
complimented the surrounding fodder. In combination with the smell that made eyes water
and throats squeeze shut, it was just simply the death of the American dream.
As they got closer to the house, Cory's heart started to break in earnest. Thick gray
electrical tape covered broken glass windows in the attempt to hold them together. The
paint looked as though it had been boiled away ages ago, leaving an eerie, dingy beige.
The screen door hung precariously on its hinges waiting for the next pull or push for it
to fall completely off.. Cory closed her eyes. This one was going to take some work. She
looked over at Barb, who was wearing her forlorn face.
"Sweet" the older woman started.
"Jesus," Taylor ended.
The other two turned to their boss. Taylor's mind reeled. She had see this type of squalor
but had somewhat refused, along with the rest of mainstream society, to believe that real
people lived here. She should know better. It's what the numbers showed, but she was only
human after all. Her stomach lurched. She had never felt so separated from life in her
thirty-three years. She tried vehemently not to fall into the mainstream trap and blame
the victim, but at this moment it was hard. As hell.
Rendered almost civil by the sight, Cory whispered to her boss, "It's important to
not pity but to try and empathize, which means no disgusted looks or reluctance to sit
down. It goes a long way in promoting understanding and gaining trust." The young
blonde peered into her boss' blues, trying to hammer the point home.
Taylor nodded as they got to the door. Barb took a breath and raised her hand to knock.
The screen door rattled adding to the sound. After a few minutes, the door was pulled back
slowly. A diminutive black woman peeked through the opening. Her eyes were full of fear
that added to the dark smudges already under them. Her face was gaunt and thin, making her
look older then the twenty-seven years they knew her to be. Her voice was shaky and raspy
as though she wasn't used to speaking.
"Y-yes?"
Cory gave the woman a small smile.
"Hi, Mrs. Ash?"
The woman nodded.
" I'm Cory Donovan." She pointed at Barb. "This is Barbara Henton, and this
is Taylor Wilson. We're from FSA. The caseworker at CPS that was here yesterday morning
sent us."
The woman nodded again. "Y-yes. She said you could help us."
Cory's smile widened.
"That's what we're here for."
Tina studied the young woman. She looked sincere, and she wanted someone to help carry the
burden. Her back hurt; her head hurt; and her soul hurt. She examined who looked to be the
oldest woman and found her face to be open and kind. Then she glanced upon the dark haired
woman. The blue eyes staring back at her held persistence and promise. She had gotten good
at reading people. She needed to in order to know when James was going to hit her. She
sighed and backed up, pulling the door open wider.
"C-come and have a seat."
As the three stepped forward, they were slapped in the face by the malodorous stench of
urine and other waste. Both Cory and Barb inhaled quickly to acclimatize themselves.
Taylor could feel her lungs start to burn as she tried not to cough. She spun around to
gulp in fresh air as inconspicuously as possible. 'What have I gotten myself into?'
They walked in slowly, and Cory felt her heart break a little more as determination
filtered through the blonde. Maybe helping them could make up for the Hansen's.' She
studied the house with as much clinical detachment as possible. She had her work cut out
for her. The walls had long ago taken on the color of the many dirty hand prints and food
splatters. The carpets ceased being a color. Some places were threadbare, others were
littered with mold and fresh food items. What looked to be dirty clothes and diapers
completed the floor's make up. The living room furniture consisted of lawn furniture, two
make shift chairs, and what looked to be a small card table. There was a small TV with a
hanger for the antenna.
The blonde caseworker could not see the other rooms due to the murky darkness made worse
inside by the mid-morning clouds outside. There was obviously no electricity. She could
barely see into the connecting kitchen, but what she could see was not promising. Cory
turned to look at Barb, and the young woman saw it in her eyes. She was another one that
would never get used to this.
Taylor swallowed as she took shallow breaths through her nose. 'This had to be a deviation
from the norm. There is no way that hundreds of people live like this in this city despite
it's ghost town appearance.' Her mind waged a war with what she was seeing. After a few
minutes, the analytical mind won. There was no way this was the norm. Having told herself
that, she squashed Shelley's words reverberating in her head and refused to listen to her
subconscious, telling her she had fallen into the trap. It was now the victim's fault not
the system's. She looked on blankly in an effort to observe.
Tina looked at them tentatively.
"Uh, it's not much but have a seat. I'm sorry, one of you will have ta stand
up."
"It's okay, Mrs. Ash. We'll be fine," Barb answered.
Taylor moved away behind her employees, letting them have the chairs. She leaned against
the wall behind them, trying to block out what was on it and probably getting on her.
Four heads turned, as a young girl padded out of one of the darkened rooms, carrying a
baby clad in only a droopy diaper. Cory and Barb took in the dirt smeared faces, kinky
uncombed hair, and their painful thinness. Barb shook her head inwardly, wondering how CPS
decided not to take the kids. Knowing their routine by heart, Cory would do the parents
and she would do the children afterward. The older woman looked out of the corner of her
eye at her boss. Taylor flinched as she continued to talk to herself. 'How could anyone
let their kids get like this?!'
Tina looked at her daughters.
"Shala, keep Shawna quiet. These ladies are gonna help us."
The little girl stared blankly as if she hadn't heard. She blinked and returned from where
she came, not saying a word.
Cory sighed. It was time to get started.
"Mrs. Ash, we're going to do something called an assessment on your family. Together
we're going to figure out what this family needs to get back on track. Barb is going to
talk to your children and Ms. Wilson is just here to observe." The blonde looked
around. "Is your husband not home?"
Tina rung her hands and stared at the door with fright coloring her features.
"Is there something wrong Mrs. Ash?"
Thinking maybe she could take the chance and trust, she answered right away. "Uh, he
left earlier mad cause I couldn't give him no money for crack. He said he was gonna come
back and take what he want even if he gotta go through me. He already done took the food
stamps and some of the kid's check."
Without looking down, Cory wrote briskly.
"I see. Mrs. Ash, you seem a little scared. Do you think he's going to honor that
threat?"
"I don't know."
"Well, I tell you what we could do. If your willing, we can get you into a woman's
shelter so that you will be protected," the blonde said warmly as rage filled her at
the system that helped make these people. "Uh, I don't know. I don't feel comfortable
around people I don't know."
"You and your kids will have your own room."
"'Will the others there know about me? Will he know where to find us?"
"No, no just those you choose to tell and the case manager there. He won't find you
because the location of each shelter is secret. It's what we can do for starters to help
get you back on your feet. Once you're safe, it will leave room to start to work on other
things."
The black woman glanced toward her children's room. She was so tired, and she could tell
that Shala wasn't right in the head. Maybe she could help.
"Will you still be working with us?"
Cory smiled. "If you would like me to. I can see if I can work together with the case
manager at the shelter."
The woman nodded. "H-how soon can we go? We have ta pack."
"All it takes is a phone call to see where space is available and some paper work
when you get there. Take the important things with you even things of sentimental value,
so that you won't have to come back here."
Tina smiled for the first time albeit wearily. "Okay."
Inside, Cory hummed with relief. Sometimes all you had to do was ask for people to accept
help. That part was over and the hard part was to come, getting this family unit healthy
again. Barb smiled at her young friend, patting her on the knee. She couldn't help but
admire her. Somehow she got the tightest people to open up. It was indeed a gift.
Taylor blinked and grudgingly began to respect the irritating little woman. She was good,
damn good. Still, she had to wonder was it always so easy and quick. 'What did reading and
after school programs have to do with them? Numbers after all, still did not lie,' she
said to herself, still knee-deep in mainstream ideals. Taylor pushed herself away from the
wall, assuming it was time to go.
Cory finished the call and tapped the off button on her cell.
"Okay Mrs. Ash. Plans are underway. Let's get this initial assessment done for our
records and get you packed."
The woman nodded at a loss for words. Things were going to get better. They had to.
The blonde pulled out a file as well as some forms. She scooted closer to the edge of her
chair and was poised to hear this woman's story. They all jumped in surprise as the door
swung open forcefully, and the screen door fell from it's hinges.
A tall, paper thin black man entered with angry steps.
"Told ya I'd be back," he growled. "Give me the fucking money!"
Tina backed away as fear rolled thick through her belly, making it hurt. Her back touched
the wall before she spoke.
"J-James, the kids gotta eat sometimes. I can't let you keep takin' their
money," she said softly.
The man growled louder in frustration. In quick succession, he reached into his shirt and
pulled out a gun. He swung the barrel of the .38 around the room with his hands shaking,
with withdrawal, over the trigger. Tina fell to the floor in a fetal position in terror.
As if finally realizing they were not alone, the man snarled at his wife.
"Who these honkey bitches in my house?!"
The woman shook her head as speech died in her throat.
He walked jerkily toward the trio. "I bet you bitches got plenty of money."
Cory's heart thudded painfully in her chest then stopped altogether. The papers she had
previously, fell from nerveless fingers. 'This is not happening. I didn't wake up this
morning for it to come to this. It's utter bullshit to go like this. I'm the dummy who
kept this call. I could have told Barb no and handed it off, but shit, I had to stick it
to her. Look where it's gotten us. Dammit! I don't deserve this.' She glanced toward her
client. 'No one deserves this.' Her mind worked rapidly, trying to think of a way out of
this. She felt a squeeze on her thigh and realized it was Barb, using her as an anchor.
The older woman licked the sweat off her upper lip. Fear made her heart thud unevenly and
breaths rattle in her chest. She thought of her husband and the kids she would never have.
Taylor looked down at the women. Her body stiffened and coiled with anger. There was
nothing she could do without possibly getting one of them hurt. She hated feeling
powerless, when she usually exuded it. The dark haired woman wanted to march across the
room and beat the man senseless with the gun shaking in his hands. She swallowed and hoped
all the ride-alongs wouldn't be like this. They were in deep shit. Deep, deep shit.
The gun shook in the man's hands even more as her barked at the woman.
"Look at ya. Comin' in here all dressed up. I know you got something in them pockets.
Give it up and I may not shoot ya!" He giggled crazily.
Cory looked up at the man, trying to hide the fear in her eyes.
"Um, our purses are in the car. You'll have to go get them."
He thought about that for a moment and looked around them. "Yeah, you don't got
anything, but you trying to trick me and pull something when I go outside!" He swung
the gun from side to side, keeping all three of them in it's sight. Like an action
sequence in an over budget action movie, things suddenly moved to slow motion. They heard
a noise and all turned in the direction of the bedrooms. The man raised the gun, shakily,
and at the same time his eldest daughter looked him in the eyes, having come out when she
heard his voice.
"Daddy?"
Cory would never know what possessed her. At the moment he was distracted, she poised her
small frame to tackle him. Shooting out of the chair, she rammed into him, knocking the
wind out of them both with a dramatic 'ooof.' The gun fired then fell to the floor. There
was a scream then silence. Things sped up again. Cory lay on the floor covered in muck.
She stared up at the ceiling, trying to catch her breath. She didn't hear the heavy
footsteps carried by long legs. Taylor bent over the man and wrenched his arm behind his
back. She grabbed some string she spied on the floor and tied the man up quickly. The tall
woman looked down at the man in disgust.
"Son of a bitch!" She then looked at Cory, who whimpered as she took deep
breaths. "You okay?"
"Yeah, just trying to catch my breath. Could you help me up?"
"Sure, hold on." The brunette helped the blonde to her feet.
Cory looked around. "I thought I heard a shot. Was anyone hurt?"
"No, it's okay just the wall."
The blonde caseworker looked around again and spotted Barb holding the children.
"Hey Barb? You okay?"
The older woman had one arm around the children and the other hand over her heart.
"You see this face kid? It's my 'you're the crazy one' face. Remember it. I'll be
using it often after this."
Cory smiled wanly at the older woman and watched as she walked the kids to their mother.
She observed on as the woman cried and embraced the girls.
Taylor cleared her throat. "I called the police. They should be here soon. I don't
think Mr. Ash will be going anywhere." She slapped him on the back as he muttered and
groaned. Cory offered the woman a small smile for the first time and grudgingly admitted
that they could make a great team.
After the hoopla with the police and getting Tina situated, they got back to the office to
be treated to a round of applause. Cory and Barb laughed and enjoyed the camaraderie.
Taylor went back to her office, alone. The woman turned her chair until she was facing the
wall. She linked her hands to try to control the shaking. So much had happened today. Her
mind had returned along with her conscious and she swallowed the bile that threatened to
come up. She had almost become what she most hated. Blind. It took a man with a gun to
make her see again. Pushing a hand through her bangs, she admitted to herself that she had
a lot to learn, and maybe the irritating blonde was the one that needed to teach her.
She swung back around at the knock on the door.
"Come."
Barb and Cory walked in. The older woman smiled at her boss warmly.
"Let me assure you. That things like that don't happen everyday."
Facade firmly in place, Taylor replied with a raised brow, "I should hope not."
An awkward silence persisted. Barb nudged the blonde with her elbow, while in return she
shot the older woman a warning glare. "Uh, Cory has something she wants to ask
you."
Cory blew out a puff of air and rolled her eyes heavenward. Through gritted teeth she
asked, "We usually unwind on days like this by going to the gym and for a drink
afterward. Would you like to come?" She said flatly.
Taylor's jaw twitched as she weighed her decision. Retreating back to her stoic, loner
self she responded, "No, but why don't you ladies cut out early. You deserve it for
what you've been through today. I'll see you tomorrow."
With that she turned until she was looking at the wall once more.
Barb and Cory glanced at each other. The blonde shrugged her shoulders and walked out the
office. Barb exited more slowly, wondering if her friend saw what she did. Fear and
longing mingled in the blue. It was just a flash, but she saw it. This woman was lonely by
choice not by proxy. She left the office with a new understanding, hoping Cory could see
it someday soon.
Next installment coming soon!
Hope you enjoyed it. Call me collect and let me know. Uh, forget that I forgot that would
cost me money. Sorry too much wine. You can email me tho. It doesn't cost me a thing. LOL
Feed me people at Minerva.
Copyrighed © by Minerva 2000