had.
“You had your doubts about Cassie when you first met her.”
“I’ve had a change of heart since then,” he said quickly, still reeling with this news. It came to him that he’d be disappointed if Cassie left the project now. “Did she decide what she wants to do?” he asked, eager to know.
“No, she’s thinking on it.”
Steve mulled over this information. “Did she happen to mention why she’s depressed?” If so, maybe getting her some treatment would help.
“Not really. How much do you know about her background?” Megan asked.
“Very little.” Generally, he didn’t care to know unless it relatedto the applicant’s ability to work. The past wasn’t important to Steve. He preferred to look forward.
“She came out of an abusive marriage.”
A common enough story, he thought sadly.
“As we talked, Cassie gradually relaxed and I was able to get a bit more information out of her. From what she said, she’s been estranged from her family for the last thirteen years. Her ex made sure she had no contact with them.”
That seemed to be a common thread in a lot of the cases he’d heard about.
“Unfortunately, in that time period both of her parents died and she wasn’t able to get home for their funerals.”
Steve felt bad for Cassie. In addition to his wife, his own father had passed several years back and it’d been a rough loss for him and the rest of the family. It’s never easy to let go of loved ones, and he couldn’t imagine what it would be like without a proper good-bye.
“Her older sister recently reached out to her. Cassie was excited and pleased to hear from her sister.”
“That’s nice. Families need to stick together.” His own was spread all across the country. He kept in touch, but visits were sporadic.
Megan continued, “When she told me about the call, Cassie mentioned her sister had set aside several of her parents’ belongings for her and her daughter. All Cassie had to do was collect the furniture in Spokane. After being away from her family all those years, it meant the world to Cassie to have this opportunity.”
Steve still didn’t get it. “And?”
“And she took on an extra job. It was the only way she could think to earn the extra money she’d need to rent a truck and drive to Spokane.”
Steve knew all about that extra job. He’d seen her at CenturyLink Field himself.
“Apparently, someone at the match complained about her service,” Megan continued. “As a result, Cassie was asked not to return. She lost the only means she had of earning the extra money she needs.”
Steve briefly clenched his teeth.
Britt
. “But I thought you said these items were in storage.”
“They are, and her sister has paid for two months’ rental fee, which is almost up. Cassie is going to be forced to tell her sister that she can’t come collect her things—the last link she has with her parents.”
“That’s why she’s considering dropping out of the program?” Steve asked, not entirely connecting the dots.
“Oh, not really. I think it’s just an example of why she’s feeling so defeated and daunted by the process of trying to build a better life. And I do think she’s really concerned she’s been neglecting her daughter. She promised to sleep on it before she makes her decision.”
“Good.” All at once Steve found it impossible to sit still. He got up from the chair and started to pace the confines of the office.
“The reason I asked to speak to you, Steve, is because I need an assessment from you on Cassie. Did I misjudge her? Is she a good candidate for us?”
He didn’t need to think twice. “Cassie is exactly the type of person Habitat was meant to help. She’s diligent, honest, and has a strong work ethic. I’m really sorry to hear that she’s considering putting her commitment on hold.”
“I’m glad you have faith in her. I liked Cassie from the moment I met her. She’s got a great deal going for her, but she’s been
“You had your doubts about Cassie when you first met her.”
“I’ve had a change of heart since then,” he said quickly, still reeling with this news. It came to him that he’d be disappointed if Cassie left the project now. “Did she decide what she wants to do?” he asked, eager to know.
“No, she’s thinking on it.”
Steve mulled over this information. “Did she happen to mention why she’s depressed?” If so, maybe getting her some treatment would help.
“Not really. How much do you know about her background?” Megan asked.
“Very little.” Generally, he didn’t care to know unless it relatedto the applicant’s ability to work. The past wasn’t important to Steve. He preferred to look forward.
“She came out of an abusive marriage.”
A common enough story, he thought sadly.
“As we talked, Cassie gradually relaxed and I was able to get a bit more information out of her. From what she said, she’s been estranged from her family for the last thirteen years. Her ex made sure she had no contact with them.”
That seemed to be a common thread in a lot of the cases he’d heard about.
“Unfortunately, in that time period both of her parents died and she wasn’t able to get home for their funerals.”
Steve felt bad for Cassie. In addition to his wife, his own father had passed several years back and it’d been a rough loss for him and the rest of the family. It’s never easy to let go of loved ones, and he couldn’t imagine what it would be like without a proper good-bye.
“Her older sister recently reached out to her. Cassie was excited and pleased to hear from her sister.”
“That’s nice. Families need to stick together.” His own was spread all across the country. He kept in touch, but visits were sporadic.
Megan continued, “When she told me about the call, Cassie mentioned her sister had set aside several of her parents’ belongings for her and her daughter. All Cassie had to do was collect the furniture in Spokane. After being away from her family all those years, it meant the world to Cassie to have this opportunity.”
Steve still didn’t get it. “And?”
“And she took on an extra job. It was the only way she could think to earn the extra money she’d need to rent a truck and drive to Spokane.”
Steve knew all about that extra job. He’d seen her at CenturyLink Field himself.
“Apparently, someone at the match complained about her service,” Megan continued. “As a result, Cassie was asked not to return. She lost the only means she had of earning the extra money she needs.”
Steve briefly clenched his teeth.
Britt
. “But I thought you said these items were in storage.”
“They are, and her sister has paid for two months’ rental fee, which is almost up. Cassie is going to be forced to tell her sister that she can’t come collect her things—the last link she has with her parents.”
“That’s why she’s considering dropping out of the program?” Steve asked, not entirely connecting the dots.
“Oh, not really. I think it’s just an example of why she’s feeling so defeated and daunted by the process of trying to build a better life. And I do think she’s really concerned she’s been neglecting her daughter. She promised to sleep on it before she makes her decision.”
“Good.” All at once Steve found it impossible to sit still. He got up from the chair and started to pace the confines of the office.
“The reason I asked to speak to you, Steve, is because I need an assessment from you on Cassie. Did I misjudge her? Is she a good candidate for us?”
He didn’t need to think twice. “Cassie is exactly the type of person Habitat was meant to help. She’s diligent, honest, and has a strong work ethic. I’m really sorry to hear that she’s considering putting her commitment on hold.”
“I’m glad you have faith in her. I liked Cassie from the moment I met her. She’s got a great deal going for her, but she’s been
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