Sacred Sins

of it brought no response at all. Tess backtracked. “How do you feel about not riding the bus anymore?”

    “Buses stink.”
    “Your mother's taking you to school now.”
    “Yeah.”
    “Have you talked to your father?”
    “He's busy.” He looked at Tess with a touch of resentment mixed with a plea. “He's got a new job with this computer place, but I'm going to be spending the weekend with him probably next month. For Thanksgiving.”
    “How do you feel about that?”
    “It's going to be good.” The little boy was there briefly, shining with hope. “We're going to go to the Redskins game. He's going to get tickets on the fifty-yard line. It's going to be like it used to be.”
    “Like it used to be, Joey?”
    He looked down at his knees again, but his brows had drawn together in anger.
    “It's important to understand that things won't be like they used to. Different doesn't have to be bad. Sometimes change, even when it's hard, can be the best for everyone. I know you love your father. You don't have to stop because you're not living with him.”
    “He doesn't have a house anymore. Just a room. He said if he didn't have to pay child support, he could have a house.”
    She could have damned Joseph Higgins, Sr., to hell, but kept her voice firm and soft. “You understand that your father has a problem, Joey. You are not the problem. Alcohol is.”
    “We have a house,” he muttered.
    “If you didn't, do you think your father would be happier?”
    No response. He was staring at his shoes now.
    “I'm glad you're going to spend some time with your father. I know you've missed him.”
    “He's been busy.”

    “Yes.” Too busy to see his son, too busy to return the calls of the psychiatrist who was trying to heal the hurts. “Sometimes adults can get pretty wrapped up in their lives. You must know how difficult things are for your father now, in a new job, because you're in a new school.”
    “I'm going to spend a weekend with him next month. Mom says not to depend on it, but I'm going to.”
    “Your mother doesn't want you to be disappointed if something comes up.”
    “He's going to come get me.”
    “I hope so, Joey. But if he doesn't… Joey…” She touched his arm again and through sheer force of will drew his gaze to hers. “If he doesn't, you have to know that it isn't because of you, but because of his illness.”
    “Yeah.”
    He agreed because agreeing was the quickest way to avoid a hassle. Tess knew it, and wished not for the first time that she could convince his parents he needed more intensive therapy.
    “Did your mother bring you today?”
    He continued to look down, but the anger, at least outwardly, was gone. “My stepfather.”
    “Are you still getting along with him?”
    “He's okay.”
    “You know, caring for him doesn't mean you care less for your father.”
    “I said he's okay.”
    “Any pretty girls at your new school?” She wanted a smile from him, any size, any kind.
    “I guess.”
    “Guess?” Maybe it was the smile in Tess's voice that had him looking up again. “You look like you have good eyes to me.”
    “Maybe there's a couple.” And his lips did curve a little. “I don't pay much attention.”
    “Well, there's time for that. Will you come back and see me next week?”

    “I guess.”
    “Will you do me a favor in the meantime? I said you had good eyes. Look at your mother and your step-father.” He turned his head, but she took his hand and held it. “Joey…” She waited until those dark, unreadable eyes were on hers again. “Look at them. They're trying to help. They may make mistakes, but they're trying because they care about you. A lot of people do. You still have my number, don't you?”
    “Yeah, I guess I do.”
    “You know you can call me if you want to talk before next week.”
    She walked to the door of her office with him and watched as his stepfather rose and gave Joey a big, bluff smile. He was a businessman, successful, easygoing, and well mannered. He was the antithesis of Joey's father. “All done, huh?” He glanced at Tess, and there was no smile, only tension in his expression. “How'd we do today, Dr. Court?”
    “Just fine, Mr. Monroe.”
    “That's good, that's good. Why don't we pick up some Chinese, Joey, surprise your mom.”
    “Okay.” He bundled into his school jacket, the school he no longer attended. Leaving it unsnapped, he turned back and looked at a point beyond Tess's right shoulder. “Bye, Dr.