“Has he ever mentioned seeing her before?”
“No. This is the first time either of them has mentioned it.”
“What kind of relationship did he have with Cat when she was younger?”
“There was no relationship.” I shrugged. “He was too worried about getting his next fix to spend any time with her, but that suited me fine. I didn’t trust him to be alone with her. Now, she doesn’t really remember him. She was so young when he was sent to prison, and she hasn’t seen him since.”
“So, why do you think he has this unexpected interest in having a relationship with her now?”
“I wish I knew, but I can assure you that it has nothing to do with him missing his beloved daughter. Needless to say, this whole thing has us both concerned. Very concerned.”
“Understandably so.” Katie raised her eyebrow as she admitted, “I don’t feel like a prison is a place for a young girl like Cat.”
“I feel the same way.”
“I figured you did.” Katie thought for a moment, then said, “Well, I think Cat has picked up on that worry, and that’s why you’ve seen the sudden change in her behavior.”
“Oh?”
“I think she’s picked up on your anxiety.” Katie’s words hit me hard as she continued, “Children tend to feed off of the emotions of the people closest to them. When you’re happy, she’s happy. When you’re sad, she’s sad. It’s a natural thing, especially with mothers and daughters, and I believe that’s what’s happening with you and Cat.”
“Oh, God. I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of that.” My heart ached as I looked over at my sweet daughter. “Cat’s so intuitive. She picks up on everything.”
Katie smiled as she replied, “She’s a smart little girl with a very smart, strong mother, and you’ve done a fabulous job raising her. Whatever happens with her father, she’s going to get through it just like she’s gotten through everything else. And so will you.”
“I really hope you’re right.”
“I am. I’m sure of it.”
“Thank you, Katie. I truly appreciate all you’ve done for Cat and me. I don’t know what we would do without you.”
“I’m glad I can help.” She glanced over at the clock, then said, “I have a little time left. If it’s okay, I’ll go over and talk with Cat for a bit.”
“That’s more than okay.”
“Great.”
Katie got up and walked over to the back of the room, and Cat’s face lit up when she saw Katie had come to sit with her. I watched as they talked back and forth, and it was clear that my daughter was crazy about her—and it was easy to see why.
Katie was an amazing therapist.
We’d had just a brief session, but it had opened my eyes to so much.
Once they’d finished, Cat and I left and headed home. I used the time to talk with her and assure her that everything was going to be okay. I reminded her that alone we were both strong, but together, we were unstoppable. And I meant it. My daughter gave me strength I never knew I had.
Over the next day or so, things seemed to be going great.
Cat’s mood had improved dramatically, and she was opening up to me more and more. Work was going well, and Celeste and I had planned a shopping spree later in the week. I was feeling pretty upbeat about things.
Unfortunately, one crazy day took all that goodness and tossed it right out the window. I dropped off Cat at school like I did every morning and then went to work. As soon as I made it into my office, Delilah walked in and announced, “We have a new hospice patient this morning.”
“Oh?” I went over and sat down at my desk. “When are they coming in?”
She handed me the file as she answered, “Sometime later in the week.”
“Thanks for letting me know.”
“No problem.” She gave me a smile as she said, “I haven’t seen much of you lately. You been making it okay?”
“I’m good. I’ve just been crazy busy.”
“Girl, me, too.” She rolled her eyes as she grumbled, “I’m going to need to take some time off from this place or I might never get to see Hawk.”
“Yeah, you’re definitely up for some time off.”
“We both are.” She leaned towards me and giggled. “We might just have to take ourselves a mini-vacation.”
“I would be up for that.”
“Well, I’ll let you get to it.” She gave me a quick wave. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“Will do.”
As soon as Delilah walked out, I opened my new patient file and discovered he was suffering from terminal cancer. Since there was nothing more the doctors could do for him, they had decided to move him into hospice care. Most of my morning was spent preparing his room and going through his medical records, then, later on, getting to know the family.