Tamara wanted to return to work but the unpleasant memories of her first job in the city were still fresh in her mind. After all, that's where she had experienced her first panic attack...where her world had collapsed and her dreams had been shattered. Would the extra responsibility cause her to panic again? Bob had urged her to try volunteer work as a way to accustom herself to being around people again. The work would also give her a sense of fulfillment.
Because Tamara's self-esteem was still low, she chose to work with children. She felt that they wouldn't judge her nor question her. Many of the children on the hospital floor where she worked had been abused and she often wondered how parents could treat their children that way.
The first few weeks were ones of panic and anxiety. There were times when she had to leave because of her fear but as time went by, her panic abated and she found herself actually enjoying her work...enjoying the chatter and sweet innocence of her young charges.
While making her rounds one day, she came face to face with Steven. "Tamara, how nice to see you," he said. "It's been a long time." Although Steven had visiting rights to see his sons, he had never exercised these rights, though his monthly support checks were always on time. The boys had asked about him in the beginning but as Bob Green was a frequent visitor, they had turned to him as a father. "Hello Steven," Tamara said. "How are you and your family? I heard that you and Beth have a little girl now." Tamara could see the pain in Steven's eyes as he quickly turned his head. Putting her hand on his sleeve, Tamara asked him if there was anything wrong. "Yes, Tamara" he exclaimed, "Everything is wrong! I'm here visiting my daughter. She suffered a concussion." "I'm sorry." Tamara said. "Was she involved in an accident?" Steven seemed hesitant to answer and Tamara, sensing his discomfort, looked at her watch and said that she had to go. "Wait!" Steven said. Taking a deep breath, he told Tamara that Beth had apparently been abusing their daughter for some time. She had explained away the various bruises by saying that all children fell and bumped into things. But the last incident had resulted in his daughter's hospitalization. He and Beth were in the process of a divorce. "I should have been more aware, Tamara," he said. "Beth treated Mark and Matthew unfairly, but I was blind to her faults. She has made my daughter's life and mine a living hell!" Tamara was shocked! She opened her mouth to say how sorry she was but Steven, with shoulders slumped, walked away.
STAY TUNED NEXT WEEK FOR THE CONCLUSION OF TAMARA'S SEARCH
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