Rachel nodded slowly. “I think so.”
The woman looked at her palms. A wedding ring flashed on her left hand. “Well, since I seem to make the worst decisions on my own, seeking some help can't be such a bad idea, can it?”
She sank into the chair across from Maddie’s desk, and Rachel hesitantly sat behind it.
“Maybe I need a new man to get the old one out of my head? Isn’t that what people always say? So, I think I should sign up.”
Rachel nodded slowly and booted up the computer again. “Gladly. I’m still new here and I haven’t signed up anyone yet, but we’ll figure that out. Is everything...okay?” she asked cautiously as she initiated the program.
“No.” Exhausted, the woman shook her head. “I’m actually on my way to the lawyer. My divorce is probably going to court after all and...shit.” New tears welled up in her eyes. She hastilyswiped them away. “I was hoping we could settle out of court, but my husband is so damn stubborn!”
Sympathy flowed through Rachel’s veins. “I don’t know you, Mrs...?”
“Teager.”
“Mrs. Teager. Are you sure you’re ready for something new?” she asked gently, handing her a tissue from her desk. “It’s perfectly fine to wait.”
“I’m not sure about anything.” Shaking her head, she blew her nose before rubbing her eyes. “It was so difficult leaving him, you know? I’m still unsure if it was the right thing to do. And then...then he came by yesterday and begged me to give him another chance. He knelt down at my feet! And he’s a proud man. He wants me to give him another chance. For our sake and for the kids. To reconsider the divorce, and...and now I don’t know what to do.”
Rachel nodded and looked at her thoughtfully. “Do youwantto give him another chance?”
“I don’t know! He’s not a bad father, you know? Lance and Lacey love him.”
“Is he a good husband?”
She sniffed. “He promised he’d improve!”
“And do you believe him?”
“I...I don’t know.” She rubbed her face with both hands. “He’s never promised anything before, you know? He said things yesterday that he’s never said before. But...people say things they don’t mean all the time, right?”
Rachel didn’t answer because that was exactly right, but she wasn’t there to tell Mrs. Teager whether she should leave her husband or stay. She advised, she didn’t decide. She raised questions that couples forgot to ask themselves. That was her job.
“I mean, how do I know what’s right or wrong?” Mrs. Teager whispered. “The children are already suffering. And they haven’t even had to go to court yet. I don’t want to force them to make a decision, but I also don’t want to be forced to give him a chance. But what if he deserves it? What if this time is different?”
“You’re allowed to take your time,” Rachel said gently. “Concerning all decisions. Especially the important ones. You can postpone the divorce if you need time to think about it. You can change your mind at any time. No one is pressuring you. If you’re not certain it’s the right thing to do...just think about it.”
“But the date for the court...”
“It’s only a date. Dates can be postponed, canceled, and changed.”
She blinked thoughtfully. “I don’t know how to decide. How do I decide what’s right?”
“Honesty helps,” she whispered. “Be honest with yourself and the kids. And with your husband. We sometimes get lost in other people’s expectations and forget to think about whatwewant and what truth is right forus, not for the rest of the world. I don’t know your situation, but...you should do whatyoufeel is best. And if you need more time to figure it out, you have every right to take it.”
For a few seconds, Mrs. Teager just looked at her in surprise. Then she nodded as if it were obvious. “You’re right. I don’t have to rush into anything. I can...I can go at my own pace.”
“Yes,” Rachel said firmly, feeling a weight lift from her own shoulders because if she herself needed more time before talking to her dad, that was okay too! She’d always been too hard on herself. She'd always beenPerfectRachel. That had to stop.
Mrs. Teager exhaled shakily. “Thank you. Thanks, I needed to hear that!” She stood up. “And I don't think I should start looking for someone new just yet, after all.”
“Probably not,” Rachel agreed. “But we’re here if you change your mind.”
“Yes.” She gave her a shakily smile. “You’re a good listener, has anyone ever told you that?”
“Once in a while. Good luck.”
“Thanks!”
