How life can change

Part 1

So maybe its 10 years into the future maybe more. I moved out of Ohio ended up in Dallas Texas, got my dream job. Helping kids in poor households and really being their voice when they're afraid to talk out. I had gotten this case for a little 8 year old girl Elizabeth Norwell. Her parents alcoholics most likely worse but that's what their file says. I was assigned to her after a phone call from a neighbor. Parents fighting, drunk, yelling and breaking things. Poor Elizabeth stuck in the middle trying to stop the fighting. Her yelling at her parents was cut by a shout from her dad, that's when the call went out. They said her crying was worse thing you can ever hear and imp not here to say it isn't.

The following morning after the call went out the local police had gone out and taken Elizabeth out of the house due to the living conditions she was in. the house was a mess. Coming in and being told to go down to the station and that's where my next job would be.

I remember when I first saw her. Sitting in a chair where her feet didn't touch the ground her arms crossed as if holding something close to herself. Her dark brown hair long enough to cover her face. You can feel that she is afraid and scared and in my profession your job is to make the kid happy and that's exactly what I tried to do. Walking up and crouching down in front of her.

'Excuse me miss. I think you dropped this"

Opening lines to break the ice. Something you learn after years of working let the kid smile then you'll be able to get a friendship built easier than just demanding things.

The most striking detail about this little girl, her deep green eyes. Looking in them takes you into another place. But hers at this point her red rimmed from crying she had tears running down her face but she put on a brave face and shocked me.

She demanded what I was talking about and I was shocked at this. Kids normally are afraid to talk after being taken from their parents but she was a completely different case. She was brave. She knew what was going on.

"I didn't drop anything. "

The look on my face must've been a good one because I got a laugh out her. Exactly what I wanted.

"I believe you did I think this is yours." Pulling out a little stuffed animal cat from my coat pocket and holding it out to her.

I took chance with the cat but with little kids you can't really go wrong with stuffed animals.

Smiling she takes the stuffed animal confidently saying that she did drop it and she holds it.

My boss at this point thankfully waited till after this to call me over. Telling me this is my next job is finding out if Elizabeth is ok and when she can go back to her family. I got the case file and this starts the job that defined my entire life.

Jumping ahead two weeks, it's a week before thanksgiving and vie spent time with Liz. She likes being called Liz it makes her feel more like an adult. We were going to her parents' house to find out if she can go back. I had my doubts but its part of the job. Pulling up to the house Liz grabbing my hand when I open her door. She's afraid. I reassure her that I am there that it's going to be ok. Going to the house knocking and her dad answers the door. The smell of booze can be smelt on his breath, he doesn't know why imp there until he sees Liz. He goes to grab her but she hides behind me. I tell him why imp there to see if she can come back for thanksgiving if it's fit. He grunts his understanding.

The house was clean. But the bottles of booze were a presence in each of the rooms. Finding Liz mom passed out in the kitchen. Bottle of booze in her hand. Marking all this down I take Liz back to my car ready to leave. Shaking Liz dads hand and telling him that I'm going to show what I found to the court and they will decide on what to do next.