Washington?" She slumped into Cassie's spare chair. "Yes he did. He's pretty adamant about it.""What did you think?""I'm not entirely sure. I get good vibes from Mom. I think she's caring and really invested in Antwan, but the household sounds rather chaotic. She's worried about losing her job–said they already almost fired her because she mixed some chemicals while cleaning. She's doesn't want to go on welfare, that's something she was very clear about. But she has no idea how she's going to pay for this hospital bill or what she'll do if Antwan is permanently disabled. I think we have a long road ahead of us whatever we decide." She watched as Cassie frowned at her words."Can she read?" Cassie asked."She's a high school graduate, for what that's worth. But I didn't ask her about her reading skills." Patience, Adeena counseled herself. But she sensed another of Cassie's crusades coming on. Why couldn't she just learn to leave work at work like everyone else? Why did she always have to borrow trouble?"Maybe she can't read. That would explain her mixing the wrong chemicals together at work, what if she thought the ibuprofen samples we gave her were the same as the Augmentin?"Adeena shook her head. "I don't think so. I think you want to let her off the hook because you like her." "I just think she's a caring, hard-working mother and I don't want to see her child taken away from her, that's all. I'm not saying she didn't make a mistake.""I like her too, but I have to be an advocate for Antwan. I don't think removal is the best answer, but I do think that support services are necessary. And I think very close supervision will be needed, especially if Antwan requires any long term care.""So you're going to call CYS.""Yes. That's the best way to get the services that Antwan and his mother will need.""Just because Sterling asks you to, you're going to ruin that woman's life."Adeena watched as Cassie blew out her breath, got to her feet and began to pace the cramped office like a mother lion protecting her cubs. A lion itching for a fight. Right now, Adeena was happy to oblige.
