You Again

Chapter 6

“I also promised myself that if by some miracle I found myself in the position to be with you. I’d take it no matter what.”

God I wanted that. I wanted that more than anything. However Mr. Holland was early. He walked into the room as the air between us became charged. “Mr. Carmier, it’s good to see you again.” Mr. Holland said greeting Ernest.

“Yes,” Ernest shook his hand. “Always great to see you. We missed you last week at group.”

“There was a lot to catch up on. And I had to pick up a very beautiful young lady and her mom.”

“Yes, Aaliyah is enjoying your book. She loves it actually,” I said trying to keep my voice even.

“Are you finally joining our team as a peer specialist?” Mr. Holland asked Ernie.

“I wasn’t sure if that offer still stood.”

“It will until you relent and say yes.” They laughed.

I knew mom wanted Ernie to help some of the other members, but I didn’t know she felt him well enough to counsel others. But why would she? Her work was private. She never let us knew who she saw or what they were going through. She respected her code of ethics and found away to uphold it in this little town.

“What’s the latest news from the landlord? Is he willing to sell the grounds to us?”

“So there is good news and bad news. Yes, he’ll sale to us.”

“That’s great… what’s the bad news?” I asked. I couldn’t find a down side if I could save the clinic.

“He won’t sale us this place,” he replied.

I could feel my face drop to the floor with each word he said. My body grew hot as I paced. “That,” I started.

I was cut off by Ernie who reminded me of where I was and who I was in front of. My mom would roll in her grave if I lost it in front of, Mr. Holland.

“What is he trying to sale you?” Ernie said finding the words that failed me.

“The old mall complex,” he replied.

The old mall complex was in ruins. There was no way she could move the clinic there. “That is absolute bullshit. There is no way we can send traumatized people to that haunted house.” I didn’t care as the profanity spilled out of my mouth.

Ernie snickered at my reaction. “There has to be more to it. That’s a big plot.”

“That’s the end of my news sandwich. So he wants to get the eye swore off his hands because he doesn’t want to repair it and the taxes are unbelievable. He is gonna give it to use for free basically. I think he knows Shelby Stone would pay what ever number he could think up to move here. He is gonna consider the forfeit a clear and even… So what’s on your mind kid?”

This was an impossible chose. Either way I stood to lose everything my mom uprooted our lives for.