The next morning he told them that there were some kids that needed a little checking in on from time to time, and these women were all too happy to lend a helping hand. He explained that their mother would be away for a few weeks but he couldn’t go into any more detail than that.
When they had all the details ironed out, Nathan called Ms. Little. “When do you want to start?” She asked.
“Today, if we can. I don’t want to give her time to change her mind.” He said.
“Very well.” She paused but the sound of keys typing came through the speaker phone , “Ok, can you bring her by at Five o’clock? We’ll get her admitted and then let her get situated.”
“That would be great. Thank you again Ms. Little. I’ll see you at five.”
Nathan went back to Thaddeus’ house and told them what was going on. Carol tried to put up a defense, assuring Nathan that she had made the decision to stop drinking and that the rehab center would not be necessary. Nathan let her speak and then simply told her that it was all set up and if she was sincere about quitting, then she might as well go and take whatever help she could get – for her children’s sake, if not her own.
Bringing her children into the equation again hit home. She looked at her children sitting on the sofa saddened by her leaving, and then reluctantly, Carol packed a few things and hugged her children. She didn’t say anything during the ride to Rising Sun, although Nathan tried to console her. She checked in and was taken to her room without looking back or saying anything to Nathan.
Ms. Little closed the file folder with Carol’s information and said, “Don’t worry Mr. Foster, she’s scared not angry. We’ll take good care of her.”
“Thank you.” He said and he left. He knew it was the right thing but it still made him uncomfortable to see her walk away like that.