Intertwined

Chapter Sixteen

"Good afternoon. Director Michaels speaking, how may I help you? Scarlet smiled as if the person on the other end of the phone could see her face. "Good afternoon Scar. This is Mrs. Ruby Stone. I was calling to talk to you about a couple things of a business nature and was wondering if I could meet with you in person." Scar looked at her phone unable to believe what she just heard. Ruby had to be hitting the crack pipe. "Ruby I don't think so. You have come for my neck for no reason multiple times. What could we have to talk about at this point?" Scarlet was over trying to be nice to Ruby. "Scar this is hard for me. I know that's not your fault. We may never get along on a personal level but I am hoping we can put our differences aside and do some great things on a professional level. Bryce recommended that I reach out to you to help mentor me as I try to branch out into domestic violence advocacy and starting a support group for victims of domestic violence."

Scarlet made a mental note to have a conversation with Bryce about her and Ruby. "Listen Ruby I don't mean to be mean but I really don't like you. You disrespect for nothing and play childish games now you want me to help you? No. have a great day." Scarlet hung up the phone. She didn't have anymore forgiveness left to give. She had given all she had to Stone and Carmine. She had a meeting with the newest social worker on her staff.

"Hello Ryanne. How are you today?" Scarlet gave Ryanne the once over. She had a very urban vibe about herself even while wearing a business suit. Her hair was braided back into 5 large cornrows. She had large hoop earrings in her ears and a hoop in her nose. Her lipstick was a deep burgundy color. Her eyes reminded Scarlet of her own eyes. A nice brown color but nothing exotic. Something about her facial features looked familiar. "What brought you to social work?" Scarlet asked.

Scarlet somewhat listened as she tried to get a feel for Ryanne. The reason Serendipity was such a success was because of the staff. That is one thing she learned from the previous director. She made it a point to hand pick people she knew would go above and beyond for the residents. Ryanne seemed to foot the bill. She didn't have any experience aside from her internship. She was fresh out of college and that was okay with Scarlet. She was once fresh out of college. Someone gave her a chance. She would never forget that. Sometimes fresh out of college was best. The person still had high ideals.

"Do you have children?" She asked. Sometimes the job could be hard for people with children. Social workers barely worked overnight but any hours up to midnight were possible. "No I don't have children yet. I won't lie. I had a rough start to life and adulthood. While everyone was falling in love and getting married I was trying to stabilize myself and get an education." Scarlet nodded. She could relate to that part. Her stability and success was always her primary goal. Even when she came into some money when her mother died she didn't stop grinding. She lived her life as if she had never inherited a dime. She wanted to look back on her life one day and know she made it on her own. Not because some inheritance gave her a boost.

"Do you have any domestic violence experience on a personal level?" Ryanne looked down at her lap. "I have never been a victim but I know a few people who have been victims. There is something about me that made them comfortable to confide in me. One thing I noticed is they need the support more than anything. Sometimes it's just being able to vent. Sometimes they want advice. The important part is remember it is their life and you are there for them. They may not take your advice. They may go back. No matter what they do don't take it personal. It is not about you but about them." Scarlet smiled. She couldn't have said it better.

Scarlet went over all of the confidentiality protocols and took Ryanne on a tour of the facility. She seemed eager to jump into things. That was the kind of energy she liked from new hires. She sat through an intake just taking notes to help Ryanne fine tune her process. She helped the new resident feel comfortable and get settled. Scarlet felt comfortable letting her handle the rest of the day on her own. She was filling in her calendar based on emails with appointments and requests for meetings.