Chapter Three

ELLIE STEPPED FROM her office and made a quick left toward the noise rolling down the hall. She’d gotten turned around several times during her first week at The Therapy Center, but today, the swell of high voices led her straight to the large but crowded lobby, which sagged under the August humidity. Her new boss leaned on a column near the reception desk, and Ellie threaded her way over.

“We’ll collect our boys in a minute. I’ll introduce you to the parents as we go—a quick meet and greet for the first day.” Rita grinned at the scrum. A harried father rushed through the doors, dragging a reluctant child by the sleeve. “Fall session is always a struggle. The kids aren’t ready to be back. The parents are desperate to have them back. And no one is ready for the school-pickup-to-therapy scramble.”

“Thanks again for putting me on your social group. It’s nice to have the mix with individual sessions.”

Rita waved off her words. “The job’s not new for you, just the place. I would’ve given you your own if we hadn’t already made those assignments.”

The pale-blue shirts of TTC staff bobbed between pockets of families. Rogue toddlers pinballed everywhere. To the side, a lanky white woman, her skin dusted with freckles, listened intently to a boy with chestnut hair, who bounced as he recounted a story. Her eyes never left his, even as his gaze caromed around the room.

“Who’s the brown-haired boy with the tall blonde?”

Rita turned in the direction of Ellie’s nod. “Oh, he’s one of ours, Ben.”

“Isn’t he too young?”

“He’s eleven. Just on the small side. That’s his mom, Olivia. Terrific parent. Very organized.”

Ellie hid the smile creeping onto her face. It had taken less than a day to recognize Rita’s favorite parents had one trait in common—organized.

“Sad story actually. Her wife died three years ago. Terrible car accident. Almost killed all three of them.”

“Jesus.”

“Yeah. Ben went off the rails for a bit. I’m hoping he’s ready to tackle this group.” Rita clapped her hands, then rubbed them briskly. “Let’s go get our boys.”

The crowd parted for Rita, Ellie trailing in her wake. She snuck glances at Olivia as they approached, Rita stopping every few feet to greet someone. Olivia was beautiful in an austere, angular way, and she held herself erect, not one of those women to stoop in apology for her height. Shaggy golden curls brushed her shoulders. That shimmer of blonde, and the placid face it framed, hovered at the edge of her attention each time Rita introduced her to another parent.

 

OLIVIA LEANED CLOSE to Ben’s ear. “You got this.”

He flinched, gnawing on a thumbnail. “You said that already. Twice!”

Her hand floated above his shoulder, ready for an encouraging pat. She pulled it back and shoved it in her pocket. This social group was important, and her nerves kept bleeding into her supportive attitude.

Rita plowed toward them, collecting rumpled, distracted boys like mismatched ducklings. Six feet tall and broad-shouldered, the director was unmissable. Although Olivia stood just an inch shorter, the imposing woman seemed to tower over her.

“Ben! I’m so happy to see you!” Rita’s booming words cut through the din. Ben buried his chin in his chest, tapping an alternating rhythm with his feet. She squatted to catch his eye and lowered her voice. “I need help setting up chairs in room B. Will you organize a circle for eight? You remember the way?”

He darted off without a response, his thin scrap of a body disappearing into the crowd.

“He does love a task, our Ben.” Rita sighed as she stood. “Olivia, I want you to meet Ellie Vasquez, our newest occupational therapist. We stole her from a city clinic. She’s helping me in Ben’s group. Ellie, this is Olivia Northman.”

“Nice to meet you.” Olivia extended her hand.

Ellie reached out at the same time, a dazzling smile streaking across her face. She was nearly Olivia’s height, her riot of black curls wrestled into a thick ponytail. “You as well. I can’t wait to work with your son.”

“Have fun with these guys.” She nodded at the mob of skinny arms and legs dragging half-shrugged backpacks behind them.

“I will.” Ellie’s dark eyes sparkled. A dimple appeared, like an apostrophe over the right corner of her mouth. Ellie held the handshake a beat longer before letting go. When she turned to follow the boys, Olivia noticed two pencils stuck at different angles into her ponytail. For some reason, it made her smile.