Page 30 of Hidden Chance

He went back to his desk. That should do it one way or the other. She’d either take the bait or be so rattled that she’d have to meet with whoever it was she was working with. All he had to do now was watch and wait.

Chapter 9

Sal pushed past Hannah,ruffling his coat to cast off the snow as he entered the building. Before he could make any headway, she put a hand on his chest.

“Hang on a second.” He wouldn’t look at her, so she stepped in front of him. “Sal.”

“What?” He kept his eyes on the floor.

“Have you been drinking?”

He moved past her. “Come on, Hannah. Give me a break.”

“Don’t do that to me. Don’t make me the bad guy here. We had a deal.”

“Yeah, but you don’t know what I have to put up with every day. You’ve got a nice house and a good job. On the street, it’s—My mind. It just—It goes crazy on me, and the only way I can settle it down?—”

“Hey, I know this isn’t easy for you. I don’t expect you to be perfect, but I do expect you to make an effort.”

“Iamtrying. This is the first drink I’ve had all week.”

“I told you I could get you into a program.”

“And I told you I don’t do programs.”

“Even if they can help you? These are good people who have the skills you need. They know what you’re going through.”

He looked at her and took an aggressive step closer. “How can anyone know what I’m going through? You have no idea, Hannah. You stand there in your fancy clothes and judge me?” He crumpled, and his hands went to his face. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean it.”

“Hey, Sal. Come on. Don’t forget you have people who care about you.”

He shook his head. “You’re the only one. You’re the only person I can rely on. I’ve let so many people down, and they’ve all abandoned me.”

Hannah looked up at the ceiling and let out a slow breath. She’d known it would be hard to help him.God, give me wisdom. I don’t want to enable his behavior, but he needs help. He needs your help. What more can I do?

“Come on,” she said as she led him into the closet. “Promise me you won’t give up on yourself. You’re a good man underneath all that pain.”

“Do you really believe that’s true?”

“I wouldn’t be helping you if I didn’t. There was a time when you did a lot for my family. I’m simply repaying the favor.”

“Sometimes I want to give up, but then I remember your dad and how hard he fought to do what he did. He always inspired me. And I remember you and your momwhen you came back home without him. And look at you now.”

“Yeah. Never forget that God is faithful no matter how bad things look.”

“I can do this. I know I can. I just need time.”

“I know. But will you make me one promise?”

“Anything.”

“Will you at least think about accepting help from someone besides me? There is only so much I can offer you. Sleeping in a closet at my work is only temporary, and it can only help you so much. Don’t be too proud to ask for help where you need it.”

“I shouldn’t need to ask for help. If I can’t do this on my own, what good am I as a man?”

“That has nothing to do with masculinity. I remember one night when I was about seven and my dad came home crying. I was supposed to be sleeping. I don’t know what happened exactly, just that something he’d put a lot of effort into had fallen apart. He told my mom he was a failure. He said he couldn’t see the point of staying because he was useless to everyone around him.”

“You’re making this up.”

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