Millie

Chapter Forty One- You've been served

The work weeks had been busy, and I knew most of the kids by now. The regulars were starting to become known, but I was happy to see that Olympia hadn't been pulled up for anything at all. She had actually made a real turn around with her studies and her attention to her basketball. Her focus was noted by the faculty, and my decision was found to be the correct one. Olympia had needed to skip grades.

There was another Nomikos though, coming out of my colleague Judy's office on the Friday, the week later. Josephine.

I stopped at my office door, so that she didn't see me, and watched her walk away, down the corridor. As soon as she turned the corner I walked over to Judy's office down the hallway and knocked the door.

"Come in" she called cheerily.

I opened the door, and was met by her smile and cheery aura, as she sat at her desk and entered information on her computer. She was warm and maternal, two words best to describe Judy. The kids here at laurelwood were her kids, and she cared about them all individually. Judy was such a good emotional support counsellor that I even found myself wanting to tell her all of my worries.

"Hey Millie" she greeted "what can I do for you"

I pointed behind me "Josephine Nomikos" I asked "is she okay"

Judy carried on typing "She will be" she mused.

I frowned and took the seat opposite her "What's wrong" I asked.

Judy placed her reading glasses down on the computer keys and looked to me "It's confidential" she told me.

"I'm your colleague" I remind her "my job is to support the kids too. So, if there's something I need to know"

Judy listened and nodded "I realise that Millie, and if it were anyone else I would of course share with you. Josephine however is too close to you. She's your girlfriends sister. She just told me"

I frowned "She told you not to tell me" I asked.

Judy nodded "It's her right to do that. Things told to me in this office are often very sensitive and the kids trust me with it. I like them to know they can trust me. I can't divulge details on Josephine, because she's expressed specifically that I don't"

I was starting to worry now, about what it was. I knew something was bothering her, for weeks now, and I just wished she could have trusted me too, to tell me. I understood though, that sometimes it's easier to share with someone once removed from the family.

"Just tell me she's okay" I asked "it's not her health is it"

Judy didn't say no, but she shook her head "She's okay. Her parents are coming in later so we can all talk together in a safe space"

"Safe space" I asked concerned. "Her parents are the safest people I've ever met"

Judy agreed "They are, I don't mean that they aren't safe. I just mean that Josephine needs my support to share something with them... and it's a safe place to do that emotionally, having my support. For them all"

What Judy told me didn't make me feel any better "Okay, I understand. I won't mention it with her obviously, but I'm always here if she needs me"

"She knows that Millie. Josephine tells me she's surrounded by so many people who love her. She's a lucky young girl"

***
I expected to hear more about Josephine the next day, but Wren didn't mention it, and I couldn't, due to confidentiality. Nobody mentioned a thing.

I didn't see her on the Saturday. I had half expected Veda to drag her along with us to Wrens game, but when asked, Veda told me she was out with her parents and wouldn't be over that weekend at all. That was also a first, I'd seen Josephine every weekend it seemed since we moved here.