Dr. Collins was the chief therapist and facilitator of the facility. She was the director of care for all the kids who lived in the group home, and in more cases then others, it was normally her choice as to who was brought here in the first place.
As she sat at her desk, she worked on completing the weekly file inspections of all the children, as to be able to help them as best as she could.
Turning to the pile, she picked a file out and smiled endearingly at the name on the front.
Elizabeth (Liza) Grace Montclair
The therapist shifted through the files to find the adjoining sibling's file.
Maisie Caroline Montclair
Shifting in her chair she began to read Liza's weekly report first.
Liza was quite simply put, an overachiever. Her determination and fierce stubbornness had earned her quite a few talks in the last past eight months, as she never was one to give up on anything, which often proved problematic.
It never was academic performance that the earned her these talks. Liza set extremely high expectations for herself and was consistently a straight "A" student. No, it wasn't her work ethic that was a problem.. it was her extreme refusal of any type of support or help, even though she needed it.
After directly refusing to go to see her school counselor daily, she was now forced to see another therapist after school, and she responded to this development by never talking during the sessions. Sessions were two hours long daily, yet the girl had managed to not say a word in any of them for 6 months now.
Looking through the notes, Dr. Collins rubbed her forehead in exasperation. Liza yet again had gone to an entire week of sessions, and had not said even a word of greeting to the therapist.
Flipping to the next page, she was about to continue reading, when Liza herself burst through the office door phone in hand.
Pausing only to take a breath, she looked the doctor straight in the eye and began talking.
"Doctor Collins, I'm very sorry to interrupt, but you told me a day ago that when the weather was about 77 degrees and it wasn't rainy, you would let Maisie and I take a walk to the beach"
The young girl spoke with a voice of authority and confidence, which was not unlike her and the old Doctor smiled at the girl who in turn gazed indifferently back at her. She signed a release slip for Liza and handed it to her as she began what she wanted to say.
"Liza you both have permission to go but first we need to talk abou-"
She was cut off by the door slamming shut as Liza ran out the door with glee, determined to get to the beach before the doctor changed her mind. Running back to her room, she joyfully watched Maisie's face light up at the realization that today would be a beach day. Liza excitedly packed two towels, sunscreen, and two changes of clothes into a large bag marked
St. Rose's Child Care Center
158 Kiss Blvd
Westerly, RI
This bag was mandated by the group home as the sole bag the children were allowed to use if they went out somewhere, and it was probably the most annoying part of going out.
The pair changed into their swimsuits all the while chattering excitably about what they would do once they got there. The beach had so many possibilities!! Sand Castle building, swimming, frolicking in the sand...
The options were endless and with that realization, the shrieking grew in volume until the sisters had collapsed from laughing too hard.
Liza gathered their belongings before heading out the door, Maisie in hand. They checked out of the front desk quickly and made their way outside and down the steps of the building.
The pair paused for a second and just took in a breath of the fresh air. In utter wonderment, Maisie let go of her sisters hand to truly get a feel of her surroundings. She hadn't been outside since Friday, when school was dismissed for the weekend. Running at a rapid pace ahead of her sister, she breathlessly ran through the two side streets leading to the beach before coming to a stop in front of the beach sign.
"LIZA!! Look how pwetty it is!! Look at the ocean!! Can I go swimming? Can I pwease?!!"
Liza gazed at her sister affectionately before nodding her head slightly. Squealing in delight, Maisie ran across the beach until she came to the point where the ocean met the sand. Her evident joy was painted across her face.
The older sister became increasingly happy as the day progressed and her younger sister's energy soon proved contagious.
Within no time, they both had exhausted their list of beach activities and now the pair sat down on their towels on the sand just enjoying the feeling of freedom and perfect weather.
The beach was wonderfully empty and quiet,and the girls soon grew tired of just laying on the sand. It was then that Maisie initiated a game of tag.
Tagging Liza while she was still laying down, Maisie took off in a fit of giggles down the beach. This day couldn't have gotten anymore perfect. The younger sister raced down the beach and mournfully wished everyday could be like this.
