His Dream Role Read Free Page A

evil.”
    â€œI know that. But it clouds things. That car is an invitation for trouble in some of the neighborhoods I travel.”
    Vanessa sighed. “So you’ll keep your apartment then? That can’t possibly cause trouble.”
    â€œI’ll stay at least through graduation, when I can get a job. Then I don’t know.”
    â€œYour father and I feel so much better with you in an apartment with a doorman. It seems safer.” She patted the hand she held. “We worry about you.”
    â€œI’m a big girl. I need to be able to take care of myself.”
    â€œWe both know your father isn’t going to like this, so I hope you’re prepared for a fight.”
    The words weren’t lost on Sam. She’d have to fight her dad, but her mom was in her corner.
    â€œThanks, Mom.”
    â€œNow, tell me more about these kids who have you all worked up.”
    Sam went to the stove and started to boil some water for tea. “The shelter does amazing work. Women leave horrible conditions to come to us. They’ve been beaten down, physically and emotionally, yet they somehow find the courage to run. But it seems like the run itself is all they had energy for. So many of them are still lost when they arrive. They don’t know who they are anymore, if they ever did.”
    â€œWhat exactly do you do?” Her mom had shifted so her complete attention was on Sam.
    Sam loved that about her mom. No matter what they talked about, Vanessa always gave her total focus. As a teen, she resented it because she felt like she could never get away with anything, but after seeing how other people lived, she’d grown to appreciate it.
    â€œRight now, I mostly play with kids and talk to them. The hours I put in at the shelter work toward my degree. Once I graduate, I don’t know that they’ll have a paying position for me. In fact, I doubt it. I’ll have to look somewhere else, but right now, I can’t imagine not being there, so I might continue to volunteer.” She walked around the kitchen and pulled out teacups and tea bags while she waited for the water to boil.
    â€œBut if you had your degree,” her mom continued, “what could you hope to do for these women and their children?”
    â€œI hope to help them realize there is life after abuse. That not everyone is out to hurt them. That they can be valuable members of society. That they can raise their children to have a better life.” As she spoke, tears pricked the backs of her eyes and her throat thickened. She thought of the women she saw with such hollow looks in their eyes and her heart went out to them, especially because she knew so many would return to their old lives.
    The kettle whistled and Sam turned her attention to the tea. Her mom came up next to her and put an arm around her shoulder.
    â€œI’m proud of you. I had my doubts when you declared your major and told us you wanted to be a social worker.”
    â€œWhy?” She knew her dad hadn’t loved her decision, but her mom never let on.
    â€œI knew you would excel at it. You’re empathetic and love to help people. But you’re so softhearted that I worried that it would tear you apart. Social work isn’t for the faint of heart. But seeing you now, hearing the conviction in your voice, I’m not sure what to think.”
    Sam poured water into the waiting teacups and handed one to her mom. They sat back down at the breakfast nook. “I’ve enjoyed the work I’ve done at other locations, but this one just feels right. I don’t know how to explain it. When I first walked in, I thought it would be horrible. I mean, what do I know about abused women and kids?”
    She looked around the kitchen that was nothing short of lavish with its stainless steel appliances and marble counters. Life here had been easy. She never had to worry about anything.
    â€œWhat changed?”
    What had changed? At