House of Paper and Wax

1

"Kat!" A little girl, aged around 10 came running towards me in full speed. I stretched out my arms ready for the hug, and was encompassed in her exited chatter. "Kat! Hi!"
"Hey Millie!" I said, just as glad to see her as she was to see me. "How ya been, kiddo!?!"
Millie was one of the children that I met a few years back while on the job. Her and her mother were residents of the facility the town had set up as a sheltered for battered women and children. When I met Millie, she was a petite and shy little thing. It was no wonder. Her father had taken her and her mother in their car one night, and Millie had witnessed her father driving and screaming at her mother while she was in the back seat of the car the night before they arrived at our shelter. She didn't want to talk much about it then, but from what her mother, Annie, had told me, her husband had choked her at a stop light as Millie screamed and pleaded for her father not to hurt her mommy. Annie and Millie were a rare but good case for our shelter. The majority of women who came into our program usually would stay and few nights, and sadly, return home to their abuser. This was typical of a victim of domestic abuse. I never judged women who returned to their homes, but always had hoped they would stay and work through our steps in helping them become more independent from their abuser. Annie was a strong and determined woman, and she worked through every step and eventually moved out of our facility and into her new home, and prepared to live as a single parent in order to protect both herself and Millie.
"I am so good! Mommy let me take piano lessons. I'm not really a sports kid like my sister. Oh yeah! I forgot to tell you me and mommy get to see her now!"
"Millie, I am so glad to hear it!" I smiled.
I looked up and saw Annie walking in our direction, freeing us with a big smile.
"Hello Annie!" I exclaimed.
"Hey Kat! We just thought we would drop by and see everyone here at the shelter. I know it is always a cheer up to hear your clients coming in with good news every now and again."
She was right. Typically there were more tragic situations with our clients on a daily basis, but it was part of the job.  Seeing clients who achieved their goals always made for a better day.
"You are spot on about that, Annie. It was a tough day for some of the staff today. This will lighten everyone's moods before they head home today. You couldn't have picked a better time today. Thank you for thinking of us!"
"Oh no," said Annie, a change in her tone. "New client today?"
"Yes." I said as I looked down the pavement and to the entrance of the shelter.
"She's pretty roughed up, I imagine?" She asked.
"It wasn't good, all I can say. But you are welcome to go inside and visit with everyone. Maybe you will get to meet her." I took my keys from my purse and juggled them in my hand. I didn't want to think anymore about our newest client, Erica. Her story made my stomach turn at the thought. I just wanted to eat and go to bed. The whole process of her intake was heart wrenching.
"You're going home, huh?" Said Millie. "Yep Kiddo. Gotta go home and get some rest. Been a long week!"
Millie frowned, but smiled again. "That's ok, we have got lots of people to see up here. I've wanted to come for days but mom has been so busy!"
"Millie," Annie cut in. "Why don't you go on ahead and I will be there with you in a second."
"Ok Mama!" She skipped up the sidewalk and waved goodbye, disappeared into the building.
"Don't worry," Annie said. "I wont keep ya. I just wanted to tell you one thing."
"Oh it's no worries, " I told Annie. "What's the news?"
"Well," she smiled. "I got to meet my daughter for the first time since she was born and I had to give her up for adoption. I was so young when I had her, and my parents gave me no choice. I've longed to meet her always. Wondered about her every day for the last 17 years, Kat. And one day, she found me on social media and asked if we could meet!" She was all lit up and I could see she was happier than she had ever been. That must have been such a great feeling, I thought to myself.
"Annie, that is the most amazing news! I am so glad to hear it!"
She lit up even more. "I know! And she looks just like me at that age. She is so sweet and looks really healthy and beautiful. I just can't get over the excitement! Millie met her too, and she was so excited to know she had a sister. We are going to meet up for lunch every weekend so we can get to know each other better. A lot can happen in that amount of time. And she just grew from a tiny baby into such a beautiful young woman---"
I interrupted, half on purpose, just ready to be home. It wasn't that I didn't care about her good news. I was just so worn out.
"Wow Annie, that is just the greatest news. Everyone here at the shelter will be so excited to hear about it. I'd love to stay and hear more, but I gotta run. You still have my number?"
"Oh yeah. I got it." She nodded.
"Great!" I said cheerfully, "I wanna hear all the details. Text me anytime!"
"I will for sure," she said, and gave me a hug as we said our goodbyes.
I started the car and adjusted the radio, relived the evening was now mine, and prepared to relax a little as I drove home.
It took about 20 minutes to get home, but that time frame always allowed me to transition my mind before I walked in the door. It was a cardinal rule my boss always reminded us to do after a shift. She told us to release the stress of the day before we walked into our homes. She always told us, "Never bring work home with you. If you do, you'll never be happy."
And she was right. I began to unwind as the radio played and I lit a cigarette and inhaled a deep drag.
Part of me however, was still at work, worried about our new client, Erica. She was in good hands now. I just hoped she wouldn't go back home like so many of the victims do.
I shook my head and took another drag. "Let it go until Monday." I told myself.
I turned up the radio and drove the rest  of the way home. I had the music loud enough to drown out the thoughts in my head. I just wanted food and sleep. I was almost in a zombie-like trance as I pulled into the garage and went inside the house.
Food. Must get food.
For Christ's sake!" I grimaced, as I slammed my refrigerator door and went to my room and plopped down frustrated on my bed.
"Kat, c'mon hun, what are you gonna make for dinner?" Max asked as he followed me into our room. "I'm starving babe, what's up?"
Max. Always hungry. I swear he couldn't survive a day without me, thinking he's been neglected and starved to death.
"Well hello to you too." I said sarcastically. "I don't know how you survived until you met me. Who made all your food for you? Wait. Oh yeah. Your mother."
Max smiled a sexy smile at me with a sparkle of mischief glimmering from his dark brown eyes. "Well, you know I make a mean grilled cheese. I can cook too, you know?"
I smiled back then put a pout look back on my lips. "Well then get yourself into the kitchen and make me dinner then, Chef Andrews!"
Max laughed. I wasn't really joking. I was tired and we hadn't been to the grocery store in a while and my brain wasn't up to being creative and trying to come up with something decent to make. But I laughed anyway.
"Well!?!" I said, slightly more serious this time, "go cook me something!"
"Hmmm," Max tapped his finger on his chin, "I'll make you a deal."
"What's that?" I glared, knowing he was up to something.
"I'll go get us take-out for dinner. But...."
"Oh no!" I said as I rolled my eyes. I knew where this was going.
"You be my dessert." He smiled again.
"Max! You're so bad!" I joked with him. "Ok. Sounds like a deal then?" He pleaded?
Max was a giver in bed. I couldn't pass up the offer. I was so stressed and it knew it might change my mood a little.
"Ugh, Max. Food and sex. God. Men!" He laughed and knew the odds looked good in his favor, so he got up to get his keys and wallet. "I'll be back in 20." He kissed me and started towards the door. I smiled and waved as he drove out of the garage, and headed back to my room.
I plopped back down on my bed, hallway put off by the whole thing. Sure I wanted to fool around tonight, but really was exhausted from work and I was hoping for a quickie so I could get to bed early. But from the looks of the mood he was in, I knew it would be more than that. I had to shower and shave. Even more energy would be used as I had to fix my hair again, after I got out of the shower. That's the part I was dreading. Not Max. I didn't have the heart to tell him no though. I gave out a sigh and lay back on my bed. "I'll just close my eyes for 5 minutes and then I'll be out of the shower when Max gets home."

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