Page 42 of Breathless
Fifteen minutes later he found a parking spot and they got out. She went into the building alone and went upstairs to Dr. Saunders’ office. She pressed the waiting button to let her know she had a patient in the outer office and took a seat.
The door to her office opened a few minutes later and Dr. Saunders greeted her. “Chaney, please come in. I’m glad to see you today. When Hannah called and said you’d been hospitalized I wasn’t sure we’d be keeping your appointment today.”
“Then you know I’ve run into some trouble,” Chaney said.
“Yes. But you look well. How have you enjoyed volunteering?” Dr. Saunders asked.
“It’s been good. I think I overstepped and got a little too involved with Josie’s problems and that resulted in my getting stabbed. But I had already stepped back by that point and it still happened. Roger still blamed me for being moved from the shelter.”
Dr. Saunders nodded. “Hannah explained all of that to me. Why do you think you connected so strongly with Josie? Your situations as I understand it are two different ones.”
“They are,” Chaney agreed. “She was being controlled by Roger. I saw myself being controlled by my parents. I am still being controlled by them. My mom called yesterday wanting an answer from me about returning to Baltimore. I found myself lying to her that I had a paying job and that I was supporting myself. That I didn’t need them doing it. I gave them the go ahead to break ties with me.”
“How did that make you feel?” Dr. Saunders asked.
“I cried afterward. Because I had lied. I don’t do that to them. Not because I wouldn’t have their support. I do plan on getting a job other than volunteering. As soon as I’m fully recovered, I will be applying. But my father was quick to get on the phone and point out that I am unqualified and no one in their right mind would hire someone like me.”
“That was cruel,” Dr. Saunders said. “It must have hurt for him to say that.”
Chaney shrugged. “I told him that was the way things were done out here.”
“Good for you. I’m proud of you. That shows tenacity. You have shown them you can stand on your own two feet regardless of what they are wanting for you. I’m sure they mean well with their intentions, but it is unclear why they want to shelter you. You are at an age when you should be able to support yourself. Most parents are cutting the apron strings and yet, they are tightening them.”
“But what if I can’t do it?” Chaney asked.
“Get a job and support yourself?” Dr. Saunders asked.
She nodded.
“You take what you can get at first and then you keep looking. It might be rough for a few years, and you might have to go to college part-time to finish your degree while you work. But in the end, I have a feeling you will be happy with the outcome,” Dr. Saunders said. “And just because you don’t have your parents’ support doesn’t mean you have to go into debt to get your education. You don’t have to take out loans. You can apply for financial aid.”
“I’m sure I wouldn’t qualify for that,” Chaney said.
“Take the time to research it. You might be surprised at what you qualify for on your own without your parents’ support,” Dr. Saunders said. “It’s not like financial aid is welfare.”
“I didn’t think it was, but I don’t want to take it away from someone who truly deserves it either. I mean, I grew up with money after all. Wouldn’t that count against me?”
“Like I said, explore your options. All they can say is no if you apply and don’t qualify.”
Chaney nodded and they moved onto another topic.
Rawlins was loungingon a bench in the park across the street from Dr. Saunders’ office when his cellphone started ringing. He looked at the caller id and was surprised to see it was his twin calling him. “Is something wrong?”
“Nothing.Justwanted to check in with you. See how things are going with Chaney.I thoughtmaybe the two of you might want to grab lunch today. If youhaven’talready got plans.”
“She’sat a session with Dr. Saunders right now. She should be out soon. We could meet you after that,”Rawlins said.“Are you certain everything is okay? Chaney told me howJustus’rental was broken intoand thatshe’sstaying with you now. Youdidn’tmention that to me when we texted. Anything else happen that I should know about?”
“Her dog was almost puppy nappedifthat is even a thing. Not sure yet if the guyis connectedwith the other men, but all of these incidents are happening too close together for my comfort.”
“I hear you,” Rawlins said.
“Anything happening on your end?”Rafferty asked.
“We’vebeen dealing with shit from her parents.They’rea real trip,”Rawlins explained.“Which makes the fact that Chaney turned out so great is a credit to her character. No wonder she is fighting so hard to stay out here. Ifwe’dhad parents likethem,we’dhave run for the hills.”
Rafferty laughed.“Sorry to hear that for Chaney.We’regoing to take For All to the condoandthenwe’llmeet you at the park near Dr.Saunderswhere we can decide where to go for lunch. How is that?”
“Either thatorwe could just come to the condo and order a pizza?”Rawlins said.“We could grab our swimsuits before coming over and just hang out at the pool afterward and make an afternoon out of it.”
