Free Sophie's Path by Catherine Lanigan Page B

strict policy that its staff members participate in only those programs that the hospital supports.”
    â€œWhat if the hospital conducts a seminar for the families of addicts?” she tried. “I could put it together. On my free time.”
    â€œNo,” Tanya rebutted before Sophie could go on. “In the end, I would have to staff up, find funds. Just thinking of the kind of organization it would take gives me a headache. And the hours of work—oy!”
    The woman was shutting her down. Sophie pressed harder. “But the family programs are working at other facilities,” Sophie countered.
    â€œI’d have to study their reports. Meet with the organizers. That would require months of trips to Chicago and wherever else, phone calls...”
    Sophie was getting nowhere with Tanya. The woman folded her arms across her chest and glared at Sophie. “We provide psychiatric evaluations and from those we recommend rehabilitation stays.”
    â€œThose evaluations are superficial, Tanya, and you know it. I’ve seen three of the hospital’s addiction patients as an overdose in the ER in the last two months. If someone hadn’t called 9-1-1 they’d all be dead.”
    Tanya shrugged. “When it comes to drug addiction, even the best rehabilitation centers have low success rates. We’re a hospital. We treat overdoses and severely addicted patients when they come in with acute problems, or the cops bring them in after an arrest. This is as good as we get.”
    Molten anger shot through her veins. The hospital was quitting without giving her a chance to try something new. “There are other established organizations with updated, well-researched approaches that work with the families and schools. Drug testing the kids in elementary school has proven massively effective in Phoenix.”
    â€œIt’s not going to happen, Sophie. And let me say this—if you were to try to bring something like this Phoenix organization to town, your support would invalidate our expertise. Our standing in the community would be jeopardized. Your loyalty to us is paramount. Not to mention the liability aspect. Say a client under your care suffered an injury or worse. The hospital would be liable. Lawsuits must be avoided, Sophie,” Tanya finished, with a condescending parting of her lips that was meant to be a smile. It was anything but.
    Just then, Tanya’s phone rang. “Sorry. I have to take this.” She put her hand over the mouthpiece. “We’ll talk about this another time.”
    Sophie rose from her chair and just as she was about to walk out, Tanya shoved a white folder toward her. “Here’s our employee information about our programs. I’d suggest reading it over.” Tanya went back to her call.
    Sophie closed the door quietly behind her and bit back her anger.
    * * *
    E ARLY MORNING FOG swirled across the placid lake and drifted over the beach and running trail like diaphanous angels’ skirts. It was barely five thirty, but for Sophie, who was used to running in the evening, this was part of her personal makeover. She was ready for new routines. Anything that would shake her out of the cocoon she’d woven in the past.
    Sophie wondered why it had taken her so long to discover running. It was the perfect prescription for de-stressing after hours in surgery or a long weekend in the ER. It was the one place she could find euphoria these days, which was a sad accounting of her life in general, but if an endorphin-induced runner’s high was the only joy she could get right now, she’d take it.
    Feeling her gel-cushioned running shoes against the asphalt as she gobbled up yards and then miles of track, she felt a sense of accomplishment. Most days, she ran with her earbuds in place, listening to positive mantras or inspirational quotes that kept her mind focused and off her guilt over Aleah’s death. The podcasts helped motivate