Judith's eyes widened in surprise when Karen walked in. She's lost weight, Judith thought as she walked towards her.
"Hey, slugger!" Karen said, playfully hitting Judith's arm. "Long time no see, eh!"
"Good to see you back here, Karen. I was just thinking of you. I have a new client whose case I want you to handle," Judith said, now holding Karen's elbow and stirring her towards her office.
The Women's Shelter had been Karen's favourite hangout until six months ago when she got married. She had been a successful counsellor to the women clients - battered women, young and old, whose life she helped change through her friendly counselling. These were the women in the lounge gathered with their children for an Easter Egg Hunt.
As soon as they had both sat down in her office, Judith started to give Karen the background on the 'client'.
"Judith, I can't. That's why I'm here. I'm resigning from being a Case Counsellor."
"What?" Judith asked.
"I can't do any more counselling." Karen's voice trailed off, cheeks turning bright red under the fluorescent lighting of Judith's office.
"But you are one of our biggest assets here in terms of success rate, Karen. You were so proud of your accomplishments here."
Karen looks away from Judith's scrutinizing eyes, and Judith noticed that Karen has aged since the last time she was at the Shelter. "Why? I thought you loved what you were doing here? We love what you were doing here! Those women love you for helping them out."
"I can't," Karen said, her eyes avoid Judith's. "I can't give advice to them when I can't even know how to solve my own problems." She sighed, tears now running down her cheeks. Judith stared at her, waiting for more, wanting to know more, but she wouldn't ask. She wanted Karen to say out loud what she had already suspected.
"Henry, is it?" Judith finally said. Karen nodded.
"He has an anger problem that he can't control," Karen's voice quivered. "He's very abusive when he gets frustrated with his job, or just about anything."
"Does he hit you?"
Karen met Judith's gaze, held it briefly, then blinked and looked away, embarrassed, ashamed, defeated.
"Karen, look at me. You need to get help. Henry needs to get help. You can't..."
"I will. Just not right now."
Then Karen abruptly stood up, opened the door, put on her best smile and faced the smiling faces of the women whose life she helped change. She knew she will be coming back to the Shelter, but no longer to give advice and counselling, but to be counselled.
-o0o-
(based on three different true stories)
another shot from the gardens from last sunday.
thank you for your kind visits and comments; know that they are greatly appreciated.
I would have expected this to be an accurate story and real! How many women are affected! This is a lovely focus on a sweet flower which i can't remember the name of! (You shouldn't end a sentence with 'of' but who cares)
You are right the picture is a beauty and so opposite your story which is also a beauty in its own way. You have mad skills with photography AND with writing. I love the detailing the flower, the shallow DOF, the light and color.
