Free Hope Over Fear (Over #1) by J. A. Derouen Page B

what’s his name.
     
    Yeah, I’m so screwed.

 
    “The Little Things” by Colbie Caillat
     
     
    AFTER TAKING A quick shower and doing a normal amount of primping (no extra time spent, I swear), I jump into my Bug and drive to the clinic. It’s a chilly day, but the sun is shining brightly, warming up the car and my skin. My first travel nursing assignment took me to Fairbanks, Alaska, so I no longer take this beautiful weather for granted. This Louisiana girl was not made to live in darkness for months at a time. The darkness wasn’t the worst of it; I sucked ass at driving in the snow and death by car accident was inevitable if I extended my contract. You can take the girl out of the South, but you can’t take the South out of the girl.
    As I open the door and rush into the clinic, I almost run directly into Caroline. I grab both her arms to steady her and keep her from falling down.
    “Whoa, Sara! You need to use your blinker, girl!”
    “I’m so sorry, Caroline! I’m zoned out today. It’s good to see you.”
    “I’m happy to see you, too. Let’s go in my office for a minute. I want to talk to you about Abigail.”
    “Oh, did I do something wrong? I felt the meeting went well …”
    “Of course, honey. You did perfect. I just wanted to let you know that Abigail called yesterday afternoon with a couple of questions, and I talked with her. She spoke very highly of you. I know you’ve only met with her one time, but you made an impression.” Caroline squeezes my arm affectionately as she leads me into her office.
    “Oh, thank goodness. I’m glad Abigail felt comfortable with me. She didn’t share much personal information, but I got the feeling that she doesn’t have much support from family or friends.”
    “You’re exactly right. Abigail can be a bit guarded, so I want to give you a little insight into what her life has been like. I think it will help to guide your approach with her. All of her life, it’s only been her and her mother. Her mother, Cindy, got pregnant very young, and she was all alone. Her boyfriend left, never to be heard from again, and her parents disowned her. She struggled to make ends meet and take care of a baby when she was just a child herself. Cindy eventually turned to alcohol and drugs when Abigail was very young. Abigail probably has no recollection of her mother before the substance abuse. We have attempted to help Cindy with her addictions, but unfortunately, it’s never stuck. Abigail is a resilient child, and has been the adult in that household for many years. That girl has found her mother passed out drunk on the bathroom floor more times than I care to think about. I met Abigail when she was about thirteen years old through a community outreach program I was volunteering with, and I’ve kept in touch over the years. This girl means a great deal to me. No child should have to go through the things that Abigail has endured.”
    It’s clear how deeply Caroline cares for Abigail. I’m unsure of the exact circumstances that brought them together, but I’m thankful it happened. It’s a shame that Abigail doesn’t receive what she needs from her mother, but I know Caroline will do everything in her power to help this girl.
    “She fell in love with a boy from Northern U who said all the right things. I warned her about dating a college boy when she was still in high school. But she was blinded by his attention and couldn’t see what was happening. I wish to God I was wrong about the boy, but he broke her heart and left her pregnant. She hasn’t heard one word from him since she told him she was pregnant. Abigail expects the people in her life to abandon her. Unfortunately, it’s all she knows.”
    “That’s more disappointment than anyone should have to withstand at seventeen years old,” I say. It’s so disheartening that Abigail has suffered these hardships at such a young age. Her story resonates with me. Single mothers raised us both, but that’s