Page 35 of In Death, Love Survives
“I’m leading it today,” I answer.
“No, I’m on the schedule to lead.” Tim lets out a loud groan as he glances at his wristwatch.
“Jessica was meant to update the schedule. I have this one covered.”
“There’s another transfer coming in.”
“That’s not until this afternoon.”
“Are you sure?” he asks.
“Yes. I’m positive. I won’t be able to do much like this soon if Crawley finally approves the budget for more staff. I’ll have to conduct interviews and all that. Figured I’ll do it for the team while I can.”
Tim nods as he realizes that means he’ll be taking on more group and one-on-one therapy sessions in my absence.
“Fine by me then,” he says.
He walks away without another word, and I laugh as he goes.
How very Tim of him to be acting.
Tim never likes leading the group sessions and says the prisoners never talk about anything worthwhile during them, and I disagree.
They may not open up as much, but just talking about happy memories, at the very least, seems to invigorate them before they head back to the blocks. If I can give one person solace today about moving in the right direction, I’ll take it.
With Tim gone, I resume going through the paperwork. It’s a needed distraction from wondering if Wolfe is going to show today as planned.
After he left the therapy office yesterday, I snapped back to reality. I’m not about to diagnose myself with this situation. It’s a slippery slope that I’m all too familiar with.
What I realized when he left was how charming and intoxicating his presence is. It’s no wonder he’s the leader of the MC. Anyone would willingly do what he asked just from mere moments in his orbit.
It’s a good thing I realized it so soon so I can keep my professional distance.
The sound of shuffling distracts me, and I realize the officers are bringing in the group of patients who will be attending today.
One by one, I recognize each of them—the usual ones who come to get a break from their day-to-day.
“Morning, Doc,” a prisoner they call Rim hollers.
“Morning, Rim. How are you today?”
“A seven,” he answers.
“A seven is so close to where you could be. Let’s chat about that today?”
“Sounds good, Doc,” he says as he settles into his chair.
“Hi, Dr. Fletcher,” another prisoner, Toby, says.
“Toby. Pleasant surprise to see you back here.”
“Is this okay?” he asks as he hesitates to sit down.
An officer starts to step forward.
“Of course it is. Please take a seat.”
“I figured I need to get back at it.”
