I sigh as I stand, “Let’s get this over with.”
Walking into the living room, I find her on the couch with a clipboard. I extend my hand, and she shakes it with a stoic expression, “Hi, I’m Mercy.”
She nods, “Melinda Stewart.”
We sit down, and I try to get oxygen into my lungs without being too obvious, but I’m nervous.
“Mercy, tell me about yourself.”
I nod, “I’m twenty-four, until recently I was a social worker at Pocono Children's Hospital on the cancer ward. I love children. I like to read, I love music, and I guess that’s it.”
“You’re young to be a social worker.”
I smile, “I graduated high school early and graduated with my master’s degree when I was twenty-three.”
She cocks an eyebrow, “That’s impressive. But why did you leave if you just graduated? That’s a short career.”
Liam sits beside me, clutching onto my hand for life. I know this is important to him as well.
“I was diagnosed with cancer and required surgery to remove it. I had a total hysterectomy.”
“Do you have cancer now?”
“No, it was contained in my reproductive organs.”
“I see. So, what are your plans now?”
I clear my throat, “I was planning to return to work at the hospital. However, if Ivy were to come live with us, I would only be willing to do that part time. She will need some extra care. Ivy has been through a lot. I want to make sure all her needs are taken care of.”
She bites, “I’m aware.”
“How would you describe your personality?”
“I’m friendly, outgoing, and I love deeply.”
“How would you describe your relationship with Dr. Lexington?”
Liam smiles at me.
“Loving, happy, secure, and fun.”
“Fun?” She raises an eyebrow at me.
I nod, “Yes, we laugh a lot. Laughter is good for the heart.”
“Let’s talk about your age difference. There’s quite the age gap, correct?”
I sigh, “Yes. Liam is seventeen years older than me.”
“I see,” she says as she writes something down.
Over the next three hours, she asks a million questions about our families, how we deal with relationship issues and everything else under the sun. She does not seem to like me. Although, she’s taken with Liam to an uncomfortable degree. When he answers her questions, she’s impressed by everything and giggles like a schoolgirl. I want to punch her in the fucking face. After I show her Ivy’s room, she gets ready to leave.
“I’ll be in contact, Dr. Lexington.”
Yeah, I bet you will be, bitch.
Her eyes travel up and down his body as she stands at the door, saying goodbye to him.