Page 86 of I Don't Want You Back

Chapter 26

Faryn was drained and she hadn’t even worked a full day. She needed a nap and she couldn’t wait to get home. Her case load was huge that day because she had lots of parents requesting her for their troubled kids. Faryn was good at what she did because she was once one of them. The other counselors gave advice from a book, but Faryn gave advice from experience. Her other clients were easy but, of course, they always saved the worst for last.

Daytona, a troubled thirteen-year-old with the attitude of a roaring lion, was a piece of work. She’d been coming to Faryn for two whole months and she still refused to talk. Faryn had just opened her folder and read over some new information that had been put inside. Her heart went out to the young girl because she saw beyond the attitude and rough exterior.

“So, Daytona, do you wanna talk about some of the things that’s going on in school?” Faryn asked her.

“Do I ever?” the young girl countered with the usual attitude that Faryn had grown accustomed to.

“For this to work, you have to talk to me, Daytona. I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s wrong,” Faryn said softly.

“I don’t need your help. I’m good,” she snapped angrily.

“Okay, so why were you caught in the boy’s bathroom charging for oral sex?” Faryn asked, tired of playing the same stupid game with her.

“I’m good at sucking dick and I needed the money.” Daytona shrugged.

“Who do you live with Daytona?” Faryn asked.

“My mama, her boyfriend, and my brother and sister,” she replied.

“What kind of drugs is your mother on?” Faryn asked.

“My mama ain’t on no drugs bitch. Don’t try to look down on me because you got a lil money. Fuck you and fuck this stupid counseling shit,” Daytona cried as she jumped up and ran to the door.

“I’m not looking down on you, Daytona. At one time, I was you,” Faryn said, stopping her in her tracks.

“What does that mean?” Daytona asked with a sniffle.

“Sit down and I’ll tell you,” Faryn requested.

Daytona reclaimed her seat, as Faryn told her all about her childhood. She didn’t leave anything out as she gave her the sordid details of her past. Daytona gave Faryn her undivided attention as she spoke of an upbringing that sounded almost like her own.

“My mama and her boyfriend smoke crack,” Daytona finally admitted.

“My mother did too,” Faryn replied sympathetically.

“I don’t want to do what I’m doing, but that’s the only way that I can eat. My mama sells our food stamps and my brother and sister be hungry,” Daytona admitted.

“I understand Daytona, I promise I do. I’m not here to judge you. I only want to help. The agency can help you with getting food without you having to do what you’re doing for money. I didn’t have that when I was growing up, so my options were limited. I have all the resources that you’ll need. All you have to do is trust me. Are you willing to let me help you?”

“I don’t want to be separated from my brother and sister,” Daytona said as she started to cry again.

“You won’t be, I promise. I at least want to make sure that you have food when you’re hungry. If you need anything more than that, just call me. Even if I have to take my own money to help, I will,” Faryn promised her.

“I can just call the number on the card that you gave me?” Daytona asked.

“Yes, and this is against the rules but, here, this is my personal cell,” Faryn said as she handed her the paper that she’d written her number on.

“Thank you,” Daytona said as she got up and hugged her.

Faryn was touched by the gesture, especially since she had never shown any emotions before.

“Is that a smile?” Faryn asked her once they broke away from each other.

“I didn’t think I was going to like you,” Daytona admitted.

“Why? I’m not so bad.” Faryn smiled.

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