Chapter 3

The conversation that followed after Tyler offered her the job was easier than the first half. Bette knew going in that the pay wouldn't be great. The benefits weren't bad, though; they got a decent amount of personal time, so she couldn't complain. It wasn't as if she was going to stay there forever. This was just to get her feet wet, get back in the flow of things, and become a functioning human again.

She filled out some paperwork, then was passed off to his personal assistant and front office manager to take a drug test. Bette's eyes bulged at the cabinet filled to the brim with drug tests. She must have noticed Bette's expression as the woman had just chuckled and explained they buy the tests in bulk, and every client tested at admission and sometimes throughout their stay. Bette wasn't surprised when she passed but did feel weird watching the woman don latex gloves and test her urine right at her desk. She was then sent back off to Tyler.

"Well, now that all of that is out of the way, what about a tour?"

Smiling, Bette nodded. "I'd like that."

Bette felt confident as they left his office. It had gone much better than she anticipated. A small amount of heaviness left her chest as she followed him outside to the main hall. The immediate future didn't seem as dark—not bright, but a bit better.

The building they were in was called The Main. It was in a T-shape with housing rooms in the top line of the T. The long part was medical, the cafeteria, offices for staff, and laundry .

"Now, right here is where you can order lunch through the cafeteria. We provide a lunch for staff daily, but you're welcome to bring your own. It's not the best food in the world, but it gets the job done."

Bette looked around the large room with plastic chairs and long tables folded in the middle. Everything seemed aged, and she was pretty sure some of it was older than she was. It appeared clean, and the smell wafting through the large serving window smelled pretty good.

Six or seven men were doing various jobs in the kitchen area. They were preparing for lunch. They stopped to stare, then one of the men cleared his throat loudly, and everyone returned to work. The guy who had cleared his throat greeted them. His hair was shaved close to the scalp, and his eyes were shockingly bright blue. "Hi, Mr. Tyler. Can I help you with anything?"

"Is Ms. Elaine here?"

"Yeah, she's just outside. Hey Danny, tell Ms. Elaine to come here," he instructed one of the guys near an open door. The tag on his chest said Josh.

In the back of the kitchen area, Bette could see chrome prep tables and two large industrial stoves. Through a small door, she could see freezer doors and some shelves with various bulk-size items on them. Looking at the food they were putting into the prep containers, it looked as if they were going to have some sort of pasta for lunch.

It didn't take long for a fiery, red-headed woman who was tall and wispy, wearing a navy blue apron and a big butterfly clip in her unruly hair, to come through the back door. She smiled brightly at them. Her smile instantly warmed Bette's heart. She already knew she would like this woman.

"Hey Tyler, who do we have here?" Elaine asked in a deeper voice than Bette anticipated. Something about her made Bette think of fairies. It could have been the airy way she moved, like she was dancing without actually dancing, or it could have been the tie-dyed t-shirt poking out from under the apron and the leather-bound sandals, but Bette was pretty sure it was the way she moved.

"This is our new office manager for The Church. Bette Cooper, this is Elaine Dott."

Bette frowned. "Church?"

Tyler chuckled, "You'll see."

"Well, we're happy you're here. Especially at The Church. Maybe you can lighten Ker—"

"We really need to get moving. I just wanted to show her where the cafeteria was and introduce you. Bette, Elaine will be the person you'll order your building's cleaning products from."

Bette felt like Tyler was trying to keep something from her but decided to let it go for the moment. "It's nice to meet you, Elaine."

"Same," she grinned behind thick lime green-rimmed glasses. It was as if the longer Bette stared at Elaine, the more she noticed about the woman. "If you need anything, I'm extension 105, and my office is directly across from the door you came in. Oh, and if you want a plate for lunch, just call the kitchen by nine and tell whoever answers. Otherwise, we'll assume you don't want one. We're on a tight budget and try to make only what we need."

"Thank you. I'll keep that in mind."

They bid Elaine goodbye, and Bette was happy to leave. She felt eyes on her the whole time she was in there. In fact, she didn't think she went more than a few feet without someone looking at her. She tried to ignore it. She felt like the new girl in school, the odd one standing out.

They re-entered the long hallway of dingy yellow and continued the tour. Tyler showed her some offices, but she didn't meet any of the counselors as they were finishing something they called Group. In the back of the building was a covered concrete patio area with some picnic tables and chairs and two smoking towers for people to put their cigarettes out in. "This is where the other counselors take a break. Clients aren't allowed back here, though we do occasionally hold a group session if it's nice enough. Do you smoke?"

Bette shook her head, causing a piece of blonde hair to fall in her face. She tucked it behind her ear. "No, I did when I was in college but stopped."

He chuckled. "You'll find a lot of us do. Clients as well. You'll be taking orders for cigarette runs on Tuesdays for The Church."

She wanted to ask again what this church was, but he moved on quickly. "Every morning, we, meaning staff, have a meeting at 8 in that portable," he pointed to the small manufactured building on the other side of the covered area. "We go over staff information, new clients assigned, and things like that. It usually lasts 30 to 45 minutes because counselors need to get ready for Group at nine."

"And that's required every day?"

"Yes, at least one member of The Church needs to come down for it. Everyone is encouraged to go, but usually, only one is sent. There are two counselors in that building. "

"Does everyone live in this building?" asked Bette, motioning towards the one they had just left.

"No, those rooms are for clients who just arrived or are medically fragile and need to be close to nurses. With the exception of just a few, every client will start here and then move to the houses. Sometimes, it's just for a few days, and others up to two weeks. Clients who need to be closer to medical care usually don't get assigned to The Church because it's the farthest building on this campus and up a hill. There's another building that runs independently, like The Church up the road. It also has two counselors and houses their clients."

They walked behind The Main towards the gravel parking lot that ran the length of the building on one side. There were potholes half a foot deep in spots. It seemed fitting for the drab building. Past that, on a small incline, were two buildings that looked like they were once apartments. "That's admin and intake. Clients will go there first when they arrive and get checked in. That's also where staff handles calls to the facility. You won't be in there often, but you will be in charge of making sure it's clean."

"Like a cleaning crew?" Bette asked as they walked across the parking lot to a small set of stairs with one weathered wooden railing. It was a lovely spot with large oak trees towering over, making it peaceful. It was the most inviting area she had seen so far.

"No, the clients have chores here. They need to learn how to get back into a routine, stay busy, and do things that remind them of everyday life. You'll assign them the chores."

A concrete pathway sprawled out like branches on a tree. One led to the back deck of the admin building. Walking a little further, another branched off to the left and then another off to the right. The trees opened up to a large expanse of land with residential houses dotting it, each with a concrete path directly to it.

"These are where the guys live once they leave The Main. Some houses are also across the street, but that's extra housing for The Main counselors clients. Each house is named after a bird. This," he pointed to a light blue clapboard house with a small porch and an addition that was once the garage on the side, "is Sparrow. The top part of the house is upper Sparrow, and the addition is lower. Sparrow is The Church's house. All the clients from your building who are not in The Main are housed here. Does that make sense?"

Not really. "For the most part. I'm sure I'll catch on quickly."

"I'm sure you will. And that is The Church," he declared, turning and pointing to a building sitting on a hill. It had a path that led to a covered bridge that went over a small creek; after that, it was just grass. "I'm sure you understand why it's called The Church now."

She could.

Atop the hill was an old white clapboard southern church surrounded by towering trees and a picnic table in the back. It had to be old, like a hundred years old. All it needed was a cross sitting high on the pointy roof. "And that's where I'll be working?"

"Yep, you can park in the front. You'll have a key and will get the building ready for clients. You'll also be required to close up unless one of the counselors stays late. Let's head up there, and you can meet them and pick out your office."

The Church was a breath of fresh air. As they walked up the stairs to enter the back door, there was already a calmer, less chaotic vibe. The building was far enough away that it felt like its own little island, sitting close enough to see the rest of the campus but not close enough to feel like it belonged with it.

They were greeted with a blast of cold air as they stepped into a small, open area of the back room. Immediately to their left was the largest, most ancient copy/fax/scanner combo machine Bette had ever seen. Behind it were shelves full of random office supplies, partially opened packs of paper, wrappers from empty packs, and dust—lots of dust.

"Obviously, this is the copier. Through that door," he pointed directly in front of them, a red door with "staff" on a handwritten paper taped to the front. "—is the staff bathroom and where the cleaning supplies are kept."

After turning a corner, an L-shaped hall led right to front door. The walls were bright white, with inspirational posters that added a little cheer. The worn wooden flooring looked as if it were the original floors. The sun was shining through the glass double doors at the end. There was a small set of stairs. She could see how this was once a church with its now-divided rooms.

"That is Kerrie Matthews' office, a counselor." Tyler pointed to a partially closed door. Bette couldn't see inside.

"This is the conference room."

It wasn't large by any means but could hold probably 25 to 30 people squeezed in. A flat screen hung above a table at one end of the room, while on the opposite was a large dry-erase board. Several short stacks of chairs lined the longest wall that held two windows. The drab brown carpeting was awful, but the happy, pale green walls made for a happier space. Even with its old, overused carpet, the building was far more uplifting than The Main .

"That door is to the little kitchen for staff. Well, I say kitchen, but it's just a closet with a microwave and refrigerator." She appreciated his honesty. At least he wasn't trying to sugarcoat what she was going into.

Tyler gripped the doorknob of one of the closed doors, but it didn't turn. He frowned and called out, "Kerrie! Do you have the keys to the empty offices?"

An annoyed sigh came from behind the partially closed door, followed by something hitting a wall. Bette raised a questioning eyebrow at Tyler, but he just shook his bald head and grinned. "She'll rub off on you."

After a few moments that took longer than Bette thought it needed to, the door opened fully, and out stepped the most handsome, cuddly giant of a woman Bette had ever seen. She was almost as tall as the door, and her large, sturdy frame took up most of the middle. It was like a giant trying to fit into a small car. Bette's knees went weak as she swept her eyes up and down the woman from her graying brown hair to the large hand that clutched a silver ring of keys to the thick thighs in pleated dress slacks. The woman was one big masculine snack that Bette wouldn't mind taking a bite out of. That was until she spoke.

"What'd you need them for?" Kerrie asked gruffly, her eyes narrowing.

The fuming giant didn't seem to bother Tyler in the least as he smiled up at her. "I already told you, Kerrie. I'm hiring a new office assistant here."

"I thought we talked about this," Kerrie seethed through tight lips. Bette's attraction to the woman was diminishing quickly.

Before he could reply, the thudding of feet and loud chattering sounded behind them. Men began to spill out of the doorway by the front double doors, which led to what Bette assumed was a basement. Many paused to take in the three of them, especially Bette, but then carefully walked around them, heading out the back door. Men of all ages, shapes, and sizes. Many nodded their heads respectfully to Bette as they passed.

"Tyler, can I talk to you in my office alone for a moment?" It didn't sound like a question to Bette but more like a demand. This giant was pushy.

Tyler sighed. "Fine. Who's your peer? Colton, right?"

"No, Luke," Kerrie corrected quickly, nodding her head to a young man who was trailing the end of the group line.

"What's up?" he greeted them, hearing his name. He seemed far more congenial than Kerrie.

Tyler took Kerrie's keys and held them out for him. "Could you show Ms. Bette here the two offices no one is using while I talk with Kerrie for a moment? "

The young man shrugged, taking the key ring. "Sure."

They left Bette and Luke standing in the hallway. Bette was thankful not to be in the presence of the pissed-off counselor anymore.

"Well, I'm Luke. Peer for The Church." He held his hand out for Bette to take. It had a large black tattoo of a bundle of bananas on it.

Bette must have made a face at the tattoo as she shook his hand because he chuckled, "I know, I know. Odd tattoo, but I was drunk as fu— uh, fudge and thought it was hilarious at the time."

Bette released his hand and chuckled along with him awkwardly. She wasn't used to people being so open about personal struggles like addiction. "It is funny."

She shifted from heel to heel, looking around. "May I ask what a 'peer' is?"

He began shifting through the keys, squinting at the tiny handwritten labels taped to them. "A peer is someone who stays to work after completing the program. I work for Turtle Grove, helping like a big brother sort of in exchange for food and room. I also get a small check. Peers are recommended by counselors. We're people who could use more time and a counselor feels is a good fit for the role. Can I ask why you need an office?"

"I'm the new office manager."

"Oh, that's cool. Well, I'm here to help. I'll write down my schedule and number tonight and give it to you when I see you again. Ah-ha, got it."

The key slid easily into the lock, and the door popped open. Luke motioned for Bette to go first. The blinds were drawn on the only window of the tiny room. There was a metal desk, a chair, and one dented filing cabinet. On the desk were a computer monitor and a keyboard so ancient she was sure it was from the late 90s. How on earth it was still working was beyond her.

She sighed, "Oh, well, this is, well..."

"Sad as shit," Luke finished for her.

Bette laughed lightly. She liked Luke so far. "Yeah, yeah, that's exactly what it is."

"Let's try the next one. I think it's bigger."

If ads affect your reading experience, click here to remove ads on this page.