Chapter 0018
Janet’s Point of View
Tracy drove fast as we left the hospital parking lot. Once we were on the main road, she glanced at me with worried eyes.
“What the hell happened there?” she asked, her voice soft with concern.
I leaned my head against the window, watching the buildings blur past. The cool glass felt good against my
hot forehead.
“They asked if I was married,” I said, my voice tight. “Like it matters for the job.”
“They what?” Tracy’s hands gripped the steering wheel tighter.
I sat up straighter, anger bubbling up inside me again. “The director, Alice, asked if I was married or in a long-term relationship. Said their clients prefer counselors who share ‘certain life experiences.”” I made air quotes with my fingers, not hiding the bitterness in my voice.
Tracy shook her head, her lips pressed into a thin line. “That’s ridiculous! Your job doesn’t depend on your relationship status. It never should.”
“That’s what I said!” I threw my hands up. “I told her I thought professional skills should matter more than marital status.”
“And what did she say to that?”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “She said it does matter, but their clients pay a lot of money, so they get to be picky about who treats them.”
Tracy made a disgusted sound. “That’s discriminatory and probably illegal. We could report them if you want.”
I sighed, the fight draining out of me. “It’s not worth it. I don’t want to work somewhere that thinks like that anyway.”
“You’re right,” Tracy nodded, her voice gentle now. “You deserve better than that place.”
We drove in silence for a while. I watched the neighborhoods change through the window-from
downtown’s busy streets to the quieter, tree-lined roads of the wealthy part of the city where Tracy and my brothers lived.
“I’m sorry it didn’t work out,” Tracy said as we turned onto their street.
I gave her a small smile. “It’s okay. Something better will come along.”
She pulled into the driveway of the big house-my new home, though it still felt strange to think of it that
way.
We got out of the car, and I headed straight upstairs while Tracy went to the kitchen. All I wanted was to be alone for a while, to process everything that had happened. My mind was still spinning from the interview, from the way Director Alice had looked at me when I said I was leaving.
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I pushed open the door to my new bedroom-a guest room that Tracy and my brothers had quickly made up for me when I arrived yesterday. It was bigger than my room at Rowan’s house, with a soft blue bedspread and curtains that matched.
I dropped my purse on the bed and kicked off my heels. My feet were aching from the new shoes I’d bought at the mall. As I bent down to rub my sore toes, the door opened behind me.
I turned, expecting to see Tracy, but instead, Jasper stood there. His broad shoulders filled the doorway, his face lit up with a smile when he saw me.
“Hey, sis! You’re back early,” he said, walking into the room. Then his smile faded as he saw my face.” What’s wrong? How was the interview?”
I straightened up, trying to put on a brave face. “It was… not great.”
Jasper’s eyebrows pulled together with concern. “What happened? Did you not like the place?”
I sat down on the edge of the bed, and Jasper came to sit beside me. He was so big that the mattress dipped under his weight.
“The place was beautiful,” I said. “Very fancy, very clean. But they asked about my marriage status.”
“Your what?” Jasper’s voice went up.
“They wanted to know if I was married. Said their clients prefer therapists who are married, with kids. More ‘relatable.”” My voice caught on the last word.
Jasper’s face darkened like a storm cloud. “That’s messed up.”
“I know. I walked out.”
“Good for you.” He nodded firmly. “You shouldn’t have to put up with that crap.’
I looked down at my hands, twisting them in my lap. “I’m sorry, Jasper. I know you worked hard to get me that interview. Now it feels like I wasted your effort.”
Jasper’s big hand covered both of mine, stealing them. “Hey, look at me.”
I raised my eyes to his face.
“You’re my sister,” he said, his voice serious but gentle. “I would do anything for you. And that includes finding you a better job than that place.”
Something warm bloomed in my chest at his words. My whole life, I’d felt alone. Even with my adoptive parents, even with Rowan. I never had someone who put me first, who wanted to protect me.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
Jasper squeezed my hands, then let go, leaning back. “Actually, I have an idea.”
“What kind of idea?”
His eyes lit up. “What about working at Westside Clinic? It’s a small place, but they do good work. Counseling for people who can’t afford fancy places.”
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“Westside Clinic? I’ve heard of it,” I said. “They help a lot of people.”
“They do,” Jasper nodded. “And guess what? I’m one of their biggest investors. Which means you won’t have to do any stupid interviews. I can get you in, no questions asked.”
My eyes widened. “Really? You’d do that?”
“In a heartbeat. And they’ll treat you right there. I’ll make sure of it.”
A real smile spread across my face-the first one since I left the hospital. “Jasper, that would be amazing.”
He grinned, his whole face lighting up. “Consider it done. I’ll call Dr. Martinez tomorrow. She runs the place, and she’s a good people.”
I threw my arms around his neck, hugging him tight. “Thank you so much. For everything.”
He hugged me back, his arms strong around me. “You deserve it, Janet. I’m just trying to make things right.
11
When I pulled back, I saw something serious flicker across his face. “By the way, Tracy told us about your mom-your adoptive mom. We took care of it.”
I stared at him, confused. “What do you
mean?”
“We moved her to Beckett Memorial Hospital. It’s the best in the state. And don’t worry about the bills- they’re all paid. For as long as she needs to be there.”
My mouth fell
nd you know about her? I only told Tracy this morning.”
you told her. She knew we’d want to help.” Jasper’s voice was so matter-of- ple to better hospitals and paying mountains of medical bills was just a normal
on’t know what to say.” My eyes filled with tears.
You don’t have to say anything.” Jasper put his hand on my shoulder. “That’s what family does, Janet. We take care of each other.”
I wiped at my eyes, feeling overwhelmed
Is this how life is when you have a family that loves you? wondered, the thought bubbling up from somewhere deep inside me. People who just… fix things for you? Who cares about what you need?
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