I Will Always Love You by Annette Evans Page B

as if I’m beginning to find Melissa again.”
    “ That’s a good thing,” Dr. Foster said.
    Melissa nodded. “Yes, I agree. But at the same time, I’m feeling a little apprehensive.”
    “Why is that?”
    “What if I don’t like the old Melissa?”
    “I don’t really think that you can ever be the old Melissa again. You have been through so much in the past six years. I think that once you work through some of the issues, you will find a new Melissa. And when that is accomplished, you will want to move forward with your life.”
    Melissa smiled again and nodded her head. “Yes. I am actually looking forward to taking positive steps to move ahead.”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 
     
     
     
     
    Part Two
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter 13
     
     
    Chicago, June 1994
     
    “Hi, Dr. Foster,” Melissa said as she strolled into the doctor’s office.
    “Hello. And how many times have I told you to call me Irene? You haven’t been my patient for well over a year, Melissa. Besides, we are now colleagues,” Dr. Foster said as Melissa took the familiar seat in front of her desk.
    “Okay, okay, Irene. And what is this about being colleagues?”
    “ Well, you’re graduating next week with your masters in psychiatric social work, and you’ve been working with me at the shelter for abused women for almost a year now.”
    “I know. I can’t believe I’m finally graduating.” Melissa smiled at the woman who helped her find her way through the darkness.
    “You have worked extremely hard these last three years. You should be very proud of yourself.”
    “I am. But I still feel that there is more work to do.”
    “That is why I asked you to come here today.”
    “What’s going on?”
    “Well, how do you like working at the shelter?” Irene asked.
    “Oh, I like it very much. I mean, I haven’t been able to really have too much one-on-one c ontact with the women, although I have sat in on some of your group sessions when you volunteer there.”
    “Yes, you have. And I believe that you are now ready to take a more active role in the shelter. That is, if you’re interested.”
    Melissa sat on the edge of the chair as Irene had her full attention. “Of course I am. I love working at the shelter. What did you have in mind?”
    “Well, Cathy is leaving in two weeks. She and Brian are finally getting married, and they want to start a family immediately. So, she will not be returning.”
    “Well, I’m sorry to hear that. Cathy is a good social worker.”
    “Yes, she is. But so are you. I’ve talked to Leslie, the shelters director, about you. She would like to offer you Cathy’s position. Are you interested?”
    “Yes,” Melissa said enthusiastically. “I would love to work at the shelter. One of my goals is to be able to help women who have been in abusive relationships. God knows that I have p lenty of experience in that.”
    “Yes, you do. I was hoping that you would take the job offer. Leslie said that you can begin working next week on a full time basis.”
    “I’ll be there.” Melissa grinned and sat back in the chair.
    Irene leaned back in her chair and studied her friend. “Now, how do you think your parents will react?”
    Melissa chuckled. “You know them. They weren’t too thrilled when I began going to the shelter to help out. They’re just afraid that I’ll be hurt.”
    “Because it’s not in a good neighborhood?”
    “That’s one reason.”
    “What’s the other reason?” Irene asked already knowing what the answer would be.
    Melissa rolled her eyes and shook her head. “They don’t want me associating with ‘those kind of people’.”
    “And what kind is that?”
    “Irene, you already know.”
    Irene smiled at her friend and former patient. “Yes, but I want to hear you say it.”
    Melissa sighed. “As my father puts it, he doesn’t want me associating with ‘women who have been abused and stayed around for