She tried to open her car door, but it wouldn’t open. She turned to glare at him. “Why won’t my door open?”
“Because I locked the doors from over here.”
“Why?”
“Because I was afraid you’d try to get dramatic and get out of the car and start walking away. That’s not safe in an area you’re not familiar with, and besides that, this is important. I really want you to do this.”
“I’ve lived around here since I was four. It’s hardly an area I’m not familiar with.”
“Oh, no? We haven’t gone real far from your home, but I’d venture to say this is an area you’re unfamiliar with. Look around you. Where are we? If you got out and walked, where would you go?”
She looked around her, and frowned. “I’d call someone to come get me,” she said, sticking her nose in the air.
“Who would you call?”
She gave him a very angry, very indignant look. “My parents. They wouldn’t want me out walking in this area alone.”
“But they both know we’re working together. Would they come get you, or would they tell you to get back in my car?”
He could see her anger growing, and he wanted to avoid another temper tantrum. He reached over and put a hand gently on her. “Gina, calm down and hear me out. I know you don’t want another spanking right now, so instead of having another temper tantrum listen to what I’m saying. I honestly am trying to help you. I think this is very important for this program to work. We’re going to go to a homeless shelter, and all I’m asking is that you listen to one or two of the ladies. I don’t know them, either, so we may both learn something today, I don’t know. But I think it’s important for you to meet and listen to one or two of them.”
“And what if I say no?”
“Then the program will be terminated. I’m administering this program the best way I can. Like I said, I think this is something you need to do. Therefore, if you won’t participate, I’ll have no other alternative but to terminate the program because you won’t cooperate. I’m not asking you to do anything there except meet a couple of the ladies and listen to them. I’ll even do all the talking. It won’t take that much of your time.”
She was glaring at him, but he could tell she was also thinking. Finally, she asked, “I won’t have to say anything, and we won’t stay long?”
“I’ll do all the talking. All I’m asking you to do is listen to them.”
“Okay, but I want you to know, I’m not happy about it. I don’t think you should be able to hold that threat over me. You shouldn’t be able to make me do whatever you want just by threatening me that you’ll terminate the program.”
“Gina, my job here is to guide you. I think you have some growing up to do, and I think you have some ideas that are unfounded. Your feelings about certain things are based on assumptions that are not true. The only way I can think of to get you to even consider that concept is to let you hear it for yourself. So that was not a threat. If you won’t listen to what I’m trying to tell you, refuse to even consider it, my only other option is to take you somewhere and let you learn the truth firsthand. If you refuse that, I have no other alternative. The program can not be accomplished if you won’t do your part. That’s why we told you everyone who does this program has to want to do it.”
She frowned, but at least she didn’t argue, for once. He got back on the road and let his GPS lead them to the homeless shelter he’d called while she was in the bathroom. When they got there, he was surprised to see she actually looked scared. He helped her out of the car and kept a hand on her back as he led them toward the door.
Chapter Ten
They went inside, and a lady came toward them, smiling. “Good afternoon. Mr. Parker, by chance?”
Paul reached out and shook the lady’s hand. “Please call me Paul. And you must be Ms. Wilson?”
“Beatrice. Nice to meet you, Paul.”
“And you as well, Beatrice. This is Gina Jamison.”
“Nice to meet you, Gina,” Beatrice said with a smile. She turned back to Paul. “After I talked to you I spoke with a couple ladies here. They both said they’d be happy to talk to you. Would you like to meet them?”
“If we could, yes,” Paul answered.
“Why don’t you have a seat in the living room and I’ll go tell them you’re here. Would you like to meet both of them together, or one at a time?”
“Whichever way they would prefer. I appreciate them talking to us and I sure don’t want to make them feel uncomfortable.”
“I understand. I’ll go speak with them. Would you like some coffee while you wait?”
“No, thank you, Beatrice, we’re fine.” They went to the living room, while Beatrice disappeared down a hall.
Paul looked at Gina, who had been staying real close to him. She was looking around, wrinkling her nose. He patted her hand gently and spoke quietly. “Come on, Gina, sit down. It doesn’t look that bad. It really doesn’t.”
She sat down close to him, and he could tell she was very uncomfortable. Maybe being out of her element was just what she needed. He left her to her thoughts.
A few minutes later Beatrice came into the room with two vibrant young ladies. Paul quickly stood, and Beatrice made the introductions. “Paul Parker, and Gina Jamison, this is Helen Callahan and Noelle Clark. Unless anyone would rather I stay, I’ll go do some paperwork in the office. I’ll leave the door open, so yell if you need me.”
“Thank you very much, Beatrice,” Paul said before turning to the ladies. “And thank you very much, as well. It’s nice to meet both of you. If you don’t mind, could we sit down and just have a little chat? I’d love to get to know you.”
“Sure,” Helen said. The girls sat down in chairs across from Paul and Gina. “Beatrice says you’d like to hear our story, what got us here?”
Paul felt like he was walking on eggs. “Do you mind sharing your story with us?”
“Not at all,” Noelle said. “A lot of people look down their noses at people like us, and it’s nice to find people who are willing to talk to us, hear our story before they condemn us.”
Helen nodded. “It is. It’s actually kind of therapeutic for me to find someone who’s willing to listen.”
“Believe me, I’m anxious to listen.”
The girls looked at each other. “Helen, why don’t you go first?” Noelle said.
“Sure. My parents died in an accident when I was five, and I grew up in foster homes,” Helen explained. “When I was a senior in high school I got a job after school, and they gave me a full time job when I graduated, which was great. When you’re in foster care, when you graduate they give you $100 and pay your rent for a month in a low-rent apartment. I was doing okay. I found someone I was working with to share an apartment with, so I could move out of that apartment and into one that was a little nicer. It saved a little money, too, which was great. I was saving money to buy a used car so I could quit having to take the bus to work.”
Gina had been listening, and Paul was happy to see her expression had changed. “Didn’t you say you were sharing an apartment with a coworker? Did she have a car?”
“No, we rode the bus together. She was saving for a car, too. We were excited about possibly having enough money to buy one together to share, but then the place we were working at closed down. They didn’t tell us anything was going on until one Friday when they gave us our paychecks. They told us that was our last check, they were closing up shop.”
Gina’s eyes grew. “So that’s how you got here?”
“We had enough money saved up for the next month’s rent, so we went out looking for jobs.”
“Well, wait,” Gina said. “You would have gotten unemployment, though, didn’t you?”
“We did,” Helen assured her, “but it was only a portion of what we got working. It was enough to pay our rent if we put our money together, but we had to use our savings for the utilities and groceries. We both looked for a solid month. We applied
everywhere, but no one was hiring. She had an aunt who said she could stay with her for a little while and try to find a job around there, so she left.”
“So you moved in here?” Gina asked.
“I had two more weeks left before I ran out of money and had to move, and ironically, I found a job with two days left. It wasn’t enough to pay the rent for that apartment myself, though, and I didn’t have enough money to move into a cheaper apartment because you have to have the first month and a security deposit. So I moved in here and I’m saving money. As soon as I have the security deposit saved up, I’ll find another cheaper apartment and move out and start all over again.”
Paul had been watching Gina just as much as Helen, and was happy with what he was seeing. She was listening intently. “Thank you, Helen, for sharing that,” he said sincerely. “I’m glad you found another job, and I hope this one works out better for you.”
“Thank you,” Helen answered with a big, genuine smile. “Okay, Noelle, your turn.”
“Okay, but I have to apologize before I start. If I break down and cry, I’m sorry. I don’t mean to upset you guys and I’m not looking for pity or anything. It’s actually good for me to talk about it, so in a way, I should be thanking you for listening to me.”
Helen reached over and took Noelle’s hand in hers. Noelle smiled at her and began her story. “I met the man of my dreams in high school. Jeff and I dated our junior and senior years, and got married a few months after we graduated. His dad had a lumber business, and Jeff helped him on weekends, and worked with him full time after he graduated. They had an opportunity to move the company out of state, to this area, where there was a real need for their expertise. It was just Jeff and his dad, and they decided they had to move to take advantage of this opportunity. We weren’t planning on getting married until we had some money saved, but we pushed the wedding up so I could move with them.”
Noelle paused, and Helen tried to encourage her friend. “Are you okay, Noelle?”
“Yeah,” she said. “Just give me a minute.” She swallowed, took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and continued. “We were out here just under three months, when there was a freak accident in the woods, and Jeff and his dad were both killed.” She took a moment before going on. “His dad had bought a house and we were living there with him while we saved money to get a place of our own. When he died, the bank took the house back, since he had a pretty big mortgage on it. I had gotten a job, but it was only part time. I also did some work for them. I did their bookkeeping and sent the bills out. The part time job obviously wasn’t enough to get my own apartment, so here I am. I’m looking for a full time job, but until I find one, I’m still working the part time job. It’s better than nothing.”
“Are you staying here, or going back home to your family?” Gina asked, with what Paul thought looked like a truly concerned look on her face.
“I was living with my mom, and she was barely able to support both of us before I left. Her hours got cut after I left, so she’s really struggling now, too. I’m going to stay here and try to find a job. Then I’ll see if Mom wants to come out here and stay with me and look for a job.”
Helen patted Noelle’s hand as she smiled at her. “You okay?”
“I am. It’s still hard to talk about, but it really is good for me. I feel a little stronger every time I do. I’m going to make it,” she said proudly. “It may take a little time, but I know I can do this.”
Paul could tell Gina was impressed with Noelle. He watched as she got up and went to the young lady and stooped down in front of her. She took one of her hands. “I think, too, you will, Noelle. I can tell how strong you are.”
Paul added his sentiments. “I think both of you ladies are going to do great things in the future. I have a great deal of respect for both of you, and I wish you both the best. I’d like to thank you for taking the time to talk with us. I think it opened both of our eyes.”
Both ladies smiled. “Thank you for listening,” Helen said. “A lot of people don’t. They don’t think we’re worth much, so they won’t give us the time of day. You thanked us for talking to you, but I want to thank you for listening.”
Noelle was nodding her head. “It’s been a long time since someone told me they have respect for me.” She was fighting back tears as she added, “That felt good.”
Gina, who was still crouched at Noelle’s feet, rose to give her a hug, then moved over to give Helen a hug. Paul couldn’t have been happier to see that. He’d had reservations about bringing Gina to the homeless shelter, but now he was certainly glad he did.
On the way back to the guesthouse Gina was quiet. Paul was anxious to talk to her, to get her reaction, but for now he would let her collect her thoughts.
She surprised him when they got back inside the guesthouse. Before he had a chance to suggest they talk, she approached him. “Could we sit down and talk a few minutes, please?”
“I think that’s a wonderful idea.” He led her to the living room, where she sat on the couch and he sat in a chair across from her. “What did you think of Helen and Noelle?”
“Those poor ladies,” she said, shaking her head. “Thank you for taking me there.”
“I think we both learned something today,” he said.
“I know I learned a lot. I wasn’t being at all fair to them, and today was a real eye opener for me, but you learned something, too?”
“Absolutely. Both of those ladies had such a positive attitude. But what stood out to me is that they both felt better having had a chance to tell their story. It was almost as if they felt they had vindicated themselves by telling their story.”
Gina sighed. “That’s exactly what happened, with me anyway. They were right; I had already condemned them, until I heard what brought them there. But they are both good people who have had some awful luck. I can’t help thinking back to what you were trying to tell me about respect. I think I’m starting to see what you meant. I have respect for them.”
Paul moved over to sit next to her on the couch. He patted her leg. “I’m glad to hear that, Gina.” He hoped today was going to be a turning point for her. If she truly meant that, she had a lot better chance of finishing this program.
They spent some time talking about her thoughts and feelings, and he was extremely happy, and hopeful, about what she was saying. She definitely had a different opinion of these two ladies, but it was time to see how deep her change in feelings had gone.
“Gina,” he started hesitantly, “remember what you were telling me about people being a drain on society?”
“Yes.”
“Have your feelings on that subject changed any?”
There was a rather long moment of silence that had him concerned before she finally answered. “They have, yes.”
“How so?”
“I still think there are people that are a drain on society. But not everyone I originally thought. Those ladies are getting government aid, but I don’t think of them as bad any more. I think they are temporarily getting some much needed, and much deserved help.”
Paul squeezed her hand. “I couldn’t have said that any better myself.”
“They made me realize something else, too,” she said very quietly.
“What’s that?”
“When you asked if I thought I was better than most people, I think I’d have to change that answer now, too.”
“Why?”
“I’m definitely not better than those two. I mean, they’re certainly not a drain on society. If my parents weren’t supporting me I’d be just like them, except that I don’t even have a job. And I’m not even looking for one.”
“It’s hard to say where you would be if circumstances were different, so don’t get too down on yourself. I think it is important that you realize, though, that if you didn’t have money in the form of your family, you could be like some of them. There are some people out there who have had a rough life and are doing the best they can to make a life for them
selves. They may not be able to get a job that pays much over minimum wage, but they’re doing the best they can, and I take my hat off to them. It would be very difficult to live in a small apartment that’s not real nice, and go to work at a low paying job you don’t much care for, just to be able to put food on your table. I commend them.”
“I absolutely do, too, now.”
“You are right, though, that there are people out there like you described before. There are criminals who would rather steal when they want money, and there are people who abuse the government assistance programs. But it’s not most people.”
“So when I said I feel I’m better than most people, I may be better off than most people, but that’s only because of my parents. It’s not because I earned any of it.”
Paul sighed. He hated seeing her look so depressed, but he felt she really needed to come down off her throne and see the reality of her situation. Now maybe they could start working to improve it. “Gina, I know you didn’t want to go there today, but I felt it was important that you see that.”
“You were right. I did need to see that. I’m not proud of myself and the way I was acting, though.”
“Well, now that you have met them, though, if you’re not proud of your attitude, or your place in this world, we have six weeks or so to improve it if you want to.”
“But how do I do that?”
“You start by coming up with a plan. Anything you do, you need a plan, and this is no different. You need a plan for your life. It’s time to put your big girl panties on and take control of your own life.”
“But I can’t afford an apartment or anything.”
“You don’t have to move out of your parents’ home. They love you and they’re willing to let you stay there. But they would like to see you have a plan for your life. That’s what your grandfather was saying. He said you would be happy to float through life on your parents’ money unless you found a rich man who wanted to marry you. Then you’d float through life on his money. He knew you’d be much happier if you came up with a plan for your life, set some goals, and go out there and achieve those goals. Gina, I have to say, your grandfather was a very smart man.”
Gina and Paul (Last Chance Program Book 2) Page 13