Page 62 of Going All In

HOLLY

Ihave one week left.

That’s it.

One week to find Julio someplace to stay before he’ll be stuck in a group home. And while Maddox and I are in a better spot, it doesn’t put me any closer to finding a spot for Julio.

I poke my head into my supervisor’s office. Adam Sanderson is constantly busy—we all are, it’s a way of life at DHS—but his door is always open in case any of us needs anything. I knock on the doorframe.

“Hey, Holly, come in. What’s going on?” Adam looks up from his computer and pulls his reading glasses off. His flannel shirt has a mustard stain on the front and his graying hair is pointed every which way, but his frazzled look is something I’ve come to love about him. Like he’s more invested in the kids he helps than in his own appearance.

I take a few steps into the office. “Hey. I hate to ask for help, but…”

Adam puts out his hands. “That’s what I’m here for. What do you need?”

Thank God for Adam. He’s a little awkward, but he’s a fabulous boss and always willing to help out.

“I have a long-term case that I’m trying to place in a new home. The current foster parents are done after the end of the year. I know it’s crunch time, and with the holidays, I haven’t been able to find a new home yet. I was hoping you had some magical solution.”

Adam leans back in his chair and blows out a breath. “Hmm. I’m guessing you’ve spoken to all your contacts already?”

I nod. “Yep. No takers.”

He brings his palms together and holds his hands in front of his mouth as he thinks. “How about other counties?”

“I was wondering about that option. Think that’s my best bet?”

Adam sits upright and scribbles something on a piece of paper. “Here. Call Alexis at the regional office. She’ll have contacts for all the different counties.” He holds out the Post-it to me.

I take it and thank him while sending up a silent prayer.Please, let someone have a spot for Julio.

I make my way down the hall to my office. JJ is sitting at her desk, staring at her computer, but she whirls around when I walk in.

“Hey!” Her energy is back.

JJ is not a morning person. We rarely speak in the morning before coffee because she turns into a rabid beast and will claw you. Literally. Once, I asked if I could borrow her makeup brush while the coffee was still brewing.

She threw it at my head.

“Hey, JJ.” I sink into my desk chair with a sigh.

“What’s wrong?” Her brows pull together.

I spin my chair around to face her and slouch. “Still no place for Julio. I’m down to like a week. Technically, he can stay at Brad and Linda’s until the thirty-first, but you know nothing will really get done between Christmas and New Year’s unless it’s an emergency placement.” Tears well in my eyes. “He’s going to end up in a group home.”

JJ stands from her chair. She tugs me out of mine and pulls me into a hug. “Hey. It’s going to be okay,” she soothes. “You’ll find him a place, even if he has to go to the group home for a little while. That’s why we have them. And remember, this is what you do. It’s not who you are.” She pulls back, looking me in the eye. “First, this situation isn’t a failure. And even if it were, a failure at work is not…”

“…a personal failure. I know.” I roll my eyes. I’m not sure if I believe it this time.

“Right. You’re a great social worker. You’re a greatperson.And I know you love Julio, and he loves you too. And he’ll still love you even if he has to spend some time in a group home. He’s done it before, remember?”

I take a deep breath and nod. “You’re right. Thank you.” Her words do help, at least a little. “Adam gave me the number to one of the regional supervisors. I’m hoping she might give me a lead on other counties that might have openings.”

“There you go. You’ve got this.” JJ gives me another squeeze before releasing me and prancing over to her desk. “Now, gossip before or after you call them?”

* * *

I made JJ wait until lunch to gossip. We duck into our favorite sandwich shop, brushing off snow and pulling off mittens as soon as we’re inside the cozy eatery. It’s packed with people, some sitting at small tables and others squeezed close together on mismatched couches.

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