"They've got guns?" Emma whispered.
"We're a full medical facility, meaning we carry some heavy drugs here. People figure that out, we can have trouble. The weapons are not used on our guests."
"Funny how you keep calling us guests," Emma muttered tersely. "It's not like I got an invitation."
Raleigh grinned, waving their paperwork. "Sure you did, just didn't have to much choice on the R.S.V.P."
Emma's shy, half smile flickered across her face. Sam caught it, grinning back, his cocky, self-assurance making her feel better. Her fingers crept into his, holding tightly. He patted her hand, bringing it to his lips. His smile made her feel better and she leaned into him, liking the warmth of his skin on hers.
The door ahead of them had Admissions blazed in bright gold and hot pink. Puzzled, Emma and Sam walked in. The woman behind the desk was hardly what they were expecting. If they had to put a name to her style, it was hippie retro. Her graying hair was long and curly, pulled back in a knotted scarf. Her skirt billowed around her like a multicolored cloud. Her peasant blouse had full sleeves that she had shoved up to her elbows. On her feet were Birkenstock sandals done in a wild floral pattern. Huge, dangling earrings glittered and clattered in counterpoint to the massive number of rings and bracelets she wore.
"Hi, kids! I'm Robbie. Whom have we today, Raleigh?"
"Samuel Masters and Emma Gallagher."
"Welcome Samuel and Emma." Robbie held out her hand to Raleigh.
He gave her a manila envelope with their names on the front. She opened it, flipping through their files.
"Thank you, Raleigh. Tell Molly you're home, and I'll send these two to the kitchen when we're done."
"I will, Robbie. See you in a bit, kids." He saluted as he left.
"Have a seat. This won't take long. Okay, I see by this that we have you in for a six week stint, pending review at three and six weeks."
She typed their information into the computer, asking several questions to clarify as she went. From time to time, Emma would zone out and not answer, so Sam answered for her. He knew her information as well as his own, having registered her at the hospital so many times. Robbie smiled at him as he rattled off the information.
"She your sister or something?"
"We're best friends. Been together since we were little. Emma and me against the world." He smiled fondly at Emma, but she was staring at the file cabinet.
Her fingers clasped his, nearly numbing them. He wiggled his hand a little so she would let go, but she held tighter. Taking her hand with both his, he raised it to his lips again, biting her fingertip. Getting the idea, she relaxed her grip, smiling at him with tears in her eyes.
"I can't believe we're really here," she said softly. "I feel like I just came home for the first time in my life."
Robbie smiled, her expression kind. "You're not the first person to say that. Despite the somewhat establishment aspect, we're like one big family here."
"No offense," Emma said with a smirk. "But my family totally sucks. So let's think of us all as great friends, shall we?"
"An excellent suggestion," Robbie said. "Call it what you will, we're a tight group, but an accepting one. There's nothing you've done that hasn't been done at least once, by most of our friends."
"My dad used to have sex with me," Emma said sternly. "Any of my friends have that particular problem?" Her fear was making her hostile.
"As a matter of fact, Emma, yes. It isn't as unusual as you might think. It's up to each of our guests to tell their history, but I imagine that most of them will share it eventually. It's part of the healing process to do so. In fact, in one way or another, Ravenwood's program has helped each of us. I'm a single mother with four kids, three of whom have been here. That's how I found out that this job was opening up. It came at a time when I needed a change."
"What about your fourth child?" Sam asked innocently.
Robbie's face saddened. "He died in an accident. He was high, trying to drive—his car hit a tree and he didn't make it."
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked."
"No, it's good for me to tell you about it. Good for us both. Don't ever hesitate either to ask or answer honestly. That's part of our policy. After dinner, Raleigh will show you your rooms and get you familiar with our basic rules. In the morning, I'll walk you through orientation, set up your counseling sessions, and so on. Will you be doing couple counseling?"
"Yes," Sam answered without consulting Emma.
Emma didn't look ready to make any decisions. She was overwhelmed by the situation. Sam could see her approaching panic.
Robbie made a couple more additions to their files. With a smile, she led them to the kitchen. The room was huge, with two large stoves, three side-by-side refrigerators and two dishwashers. There were islands, cooking utensils and pots in various strategic locations. A short, plump, obviously pregnant young woman stood in the middle of the room wearing a chef's apron. She held a metal ladle in her hand and was gesturing with it as she spoke. Everyone listened carefully to her instructions. When she was done speaking, they moved to their duty stations, gathered ingredients, and started on their tasks.
"Hi there!" Her voice lilted with a musical, Irish accent. "You must be Sam and Emma. I'm Molly, Raleigh's wife. I'm so delighted to meet you both."
"I'll leave you in Molly's capable hands," Robbie said. "See you tomorrow after breakfast. I need them at nine, Molly."
©2020 Dellani Oakes
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