Page 43 of Tony

He looked at her thoughtfully for a moment. “You always were astute, Sherrie. You would have made an excellent lawyer.”

Smiling at the compliment, she shrugged, saying, “It wasn’t in the cards, Mr. Marks. But that’s okay. I’m happy doing what I’m doing and I have to admit that the CASA work is very satisfying.”

“Well, I know you didn’t come in here to have me go on and on about office furniture. What’s on your mind?”

“I don’t want my work as a CASA volunteer to interfere with my duties here and that is why I have only made visits with Simon or after my hours here. But I’d really like to visit with Betina today and wondered if you would mind if I took extra time on my lunch break to do that?”

“Sherrie, you are one of the hardest working employees I have ever known and you never need to ask if you can have some extra time. But, as far as your CASA work, consider that on the clock. You are working for a child and as far as I am concerned that can easily be included in your duties here. Simon is working pro-bono on her case for DSS and that makes her part of your work. So take the time that you need and don’t worry about anything.”

Smiling her relief, she stood as she thanked him. Stopping at the door she turned, a question in her expression. “Mr. Marks? Are you all right?”

“Never better, my dear. I’m just an old man who enjoys his memories at times.”

Nodding, she left his office but the feeling of gloom hung over her. Stopping by Simon’s office, she popped in to tell him that she was heading to Betina’s house for an interview. Getting his approval, she headed out of the door.

Arriving at the girl’s house, she realized that Betina was still at school, but hoped to have a chance to talk to her mother. She was not disappointed when Marcella answered the door and invited her in once she had introduced herself.

Settling on the sofa, she glanced around quickly. The small house was simply furnished, but everything was neat and clean. A few pictures on the wall showed a smiling child that she recognized as Betina at a younger age. Looking back at Marcella, she was an older version of the girl; Betina’s beautiful looks were from her mother.

“I’m just checking to see how the transition has gone. How have things been since Betina came back home?”

“She’s a good girl,” Marcella said defensively.

“Oh, I know she is. Ms. Rodriguez, I’m not here to take her away again. I’m just checking to see how she’s doing. Has she seemed glad to be back?”

Marcella looked around nervously, “She’s quiet. Always been. Stays in her room a lot when she’s not at school or working.”

“I didn’t realize she had a job. Where does she work?”

“For my husband. He has a shop and was good enough to hire her.”

Sherrie knew that the man referred to as her husband was not legally Betina’s stepdad since they were not married, but if Marcella wished to call him that she was not going to object.

“When does Betina usually get home from work?”

“She closes the shop with him, so about ten at night.”

Looking up from her notepad, Sherrie tried to keep the irritation out of her voice, saying, “That seems rather late for her to get in. When does she get her homework done?”

Marcella’s forehead crinkled as a confused look crossed her face. “She gets it done. Her grades are good,” she said defensively.

“I’m sure she does,” Sherrie added, deciding she would gain more information if Betina’s mother were less defensive. “Can I take a look at her room?”

Marcella stood and led her to a small room behind the kitchen. It was simply furnished with a twin bed and dresser. It could have been any teen’s room, but Sherrie would have known it anywhere. The walls were filled with drawings. Faces. In laughter. In sadness. In thought. The expressions that came from the drawings were so lifelike that Sherrie sucked in a deep breath in awe.

“They’re beautiful. She is so talented,” she gushed, not able to contain her admiration.

For the first time since entering the home, Marcella smiled in return. “She is good. Her teacher says she has talent. I don’t know where she got it from. I don’t draw at all.”

“Maybe her father?”

A shadow passed over Marcella’s face. “I don’t know. He never had time to draw. He worked all the time before he died.” Giving a little shrug, she turned to walk back to the living room. Sherrie took one last look around at Betina’s talent before following her mother.

“I’d like to visit Betina,” she said glancing at her watch. “I suppose school is over now. Can you give me the address where she works and I will visit her there?”

Jotting down the location, Sherrie stood and thanked Marcella. “I hope things work out and that Betina continues to do well. I will keep tabs on her for a while until her last court appearance.” With that, she walked out and made her way down the street to the address she was given.

The neighborhood was old and slightly run down. Passing the school, she wished she had planned on talking to one of her teachers but knew that would need to wait until another time. Glancing at the school, she saw a group of young students and recognized Betina with them. She started to call out her name then hesitated, knowing that teens are often embarrassed. She walked over not wanting to intrude, hoping to catch her when her conversation was ended.

---