Unexpected

Part 19: Heavy Weight Hitter

Sitting in her officer, crying her eyes out- she feels ridiculous.

How is it a fucking nine year old can break her heart so savagely?

This whole time, Helen has just been trying to do the best she can for that child and yet she wants very little to do with her. She understands Max is very charismatic and good at being a parent. Hell, he's had a year and a half head start on her, but still.

Is she not motherly?

Is she not caring and kind and dedicated?

What has she ever done to that child to make her dislike her so much?

A knock on the door takes her and it's Sandra Full -Not from Billing-

"Oh, Sandra, how can I..."

"Yeah yeah- so since Max is out of commission for a while I need you to read over these documents on the new AIDS Policy Max had me write up. Frankly, I think when he decides to make his whack ass decisions that is going to lose him funding and board support- he probably shouldn't leave a paper trail for them." She grouching says and Helen simply nods and smiles slightly- pretending she hasn't been sitting in here for the last five minutes crying her eyes out. "Did income at a bad time?"

"No! No, you're alright- I just...um...it's fine." She stands up and takes the papers from Sandra and begins looking at them.

"My cat Lilith died yesterday." She randomly shares- her voice monotone and her eyes the same dull lifeless blackish brown.

"I'm terribly sorry to hear that. Was she old?"

"She had Cat Leukemia. I knew this day was coming, but I didn't expect it this quickly. She could be a real bitch, but we got along." Sandra says plainly and Helen goes to hug her and she backs up. "What's with medical directors trying to hug me. Human touch is not one of the things I enjoy."

"Sorry... it's out of habit."

"Ah, yes. The oncologist in you must really connect with all life forms who deal with cancer."

"I...sure. Yes that's the reason." Helen lies, unable to find a good enough refuting argument.

"I should probably go before you try and suggest I see a counselor for my grieving." Turning, she leaves Helen's office and Helen, who was really just wanting a hug for herself. Though she doesn't know why she thought hugging Sandra would make her feel better.

*** 25 Minutes Later***

Max's policy- from how it was written- sounds decent. She has however made some revisions on the hows and the whys. She gave it body. She gave it soul- something Sandra lacked in her writing. She didn't want the policy to sound so flat. She didn't want it to sound like it was a bothersome crack head idea that they just slapped on the paper and and said take it or leave it.

No, Helen wants this policy to inspire those who wish to refute it. Those who read it wanting to disregard the people it supports- will read it and understand why it's important.

Though she does agree with Sandra about leaving the upside down flipping cockamamie actions on paper- she can't help but think Max has an idea about writing everything down- just in case someone wants to call him on his bullshit.

Which isn't bullshit, but still.

"Hey!" Looking up, she finds Reynolds popping his head in the door.

"Hi..."

"Oh. You seem...upset?"

"It's nothing. Did you need something?" She politely asks. He looks her over and smiles slightly before shaking his head.