The Broken Road (The Broken Series) by K.S. Ruff Read Free Book Online Page B

against his knees. “We
won’t advertise or fill your position. We’ll divide and temporarily reassign
your responsibilities to other people in the office so you can return to this
position if you decide to come back.”
    My
eyes narrowed. “What’s the catch?”
    Charlie
shook his head. “No catch. You go to DC. Advocate for seniors living in rural
areas. Gain some experience with the legislative process, and keep your eyes
open for opportunities that will improve federal funding streams for us. When
the fellowship ends, your job will be waiting for you.”
    My
jaw fell slack. “Wow, Charlie. I can’t believe you would do that for me. I
don’t know what to say, but… thank you. If I am awarded the fellowship, I would
definitely want to return to Montana and work for this office again.” I loved being
the state’s designated elder rights advocate and had been hoping to return to
the position once I completed law school.
    “Good.
Then it’s settled.” Charlie pushed the chair back against the wall as he turned
to leave. He paused in the doorway, but he didn’t turn back around. “Kri,
you’ll get this fellowship, and you will go. We’ll hold your job for
you, but you won’t be coming back. I just want you to know… that’s okay. It’s
okay if you don’t come back.”
    My
breath caught sharply. Tears pricked my eyes as I stared at Charlie’s back.
“Charlie, don’t say that. I’ll come back…”
    Charlie
turned back around. His blue eyes met mine. “No, Kri. You’re going to meet
someone in DC. You’re going to fall in love, and you’re going to start living
your life.” He didn’t bother waiting for a response. He just turned and walked away.
    I
sat there, momentarily stunned, before leaping from my chair. “Ha! I’m not even
going to date while I’m there!” I scowled as I sank back into my chair. Charlie
seemed entirely too confident in his prediction. I silently cursed his direct
line to God.
    *
* * * * *
    My
blood boiled as I stared at the reports strewn across my desk. There were nine
complaints of stolen property… all generated from the same assisted living
facility in Butte. Three cases involved wedding rings stolen from residents’
fingers while they slept, two involved hearing aids, and four involved missing
dentures. I shook my head. Stealing from frail elders was bad enough, but what
kind of person would take their teeth?
    I
thought about the four cases involving missing dentures. The residents were
going to have a hard time getting Medicaid and Medicare to cover a new set of
dentures, but they’d all be thrown on a pureed diet and lose weight if they
didn’t have any teeth to eat with. Few elderly people could afford to lose
weight, and sudden weight loss could lead to complications with medications. I
reached for my phone, intent on reporting the nine thefts to the Medicaid Fraud
investigator. My other line rang before I could finish dialing his number.
    I
switched lines and issued my standard greeting, still deeply entrenched in the
case files scattered across my desk. “Senior and Long Term Care, Kristine
speaking.”
    “Hi
Kristine. It’s Julianne from the John Heinz Foundation. I’m calling with some
good news… You've been selected to be our next senate fellow. The decision was
unanimous. Congratulations!”
    I
looked up from the case files as Julianne’s words seeped into my scattered brain.
I sank into my chair as tears pricked my eyes. I felt… completely terrified .
I took a deep, steadying breath. “Thank you, Julianne. I feel truly honored,
but I’m a little surprised you’ve chosen me. Would you mind terribly if I took
twenty-four hours to think about this before accepting the position?” I cringed.
I suspected most people would be jumping for joy.
    “Of
course. Why don’t you give me a call back in a couple of days?” Julianne
encouraged.
    “Thanks,
Julianne,” I responded gratefully.
    I
told no one. I simply packed my things and walked out of