Chapter Text
Jenny was fresh out of high school when she knew that Ottawa was the city she wanted to spend her life in. Whilst others in her class dreamed of moving to bigger cities and famous universities, Jenny never felt the urge to leave, preferring to stay in the quiet of the trees and the peacefulness of the lakes. Meeting her soulmate at McGill didn’t hurt either, Lucy was a steady anchor in the sadness that sometimes would overcome Jenny when it came to dealing with Ottawas foster care system. Jenny was knew when she signed up as a social worker that she was probably going to be fighting many battles, some she knew could win and others not, but she knew she was determined enough that she could and would do all that she could to help the kids in her care. So determined that it almost bordered on bold. But she had to be, especially in this one case. Especially for this one special boy.
Anton Watson. 14 years old. Has been transferred from 3 different schools due to misconduct (‘Miss Jenny I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to throw the first punch I swear!” “….Anton….”). Entered the foster care system when he was 4 years old, Mother declared DOA in a car accident when paramedics arrived on scene, Anton in the back seat. Nil Known next of kin. Has been transferred from group homes to foster families and back, either due to overcrowding or some families declaring him as not the best fit and perhaps he may be able to mesh well with another family?
Jenny had been his case worker for two years, his 4th case worker since he came to them. Denise was his last case worker, and on the eve of her retirement party she took Jenny aside and told her “Please take care of my boy, he may be rough around the edges but he has a good heart.” Denise passed from cancer 8 months after, Jenny helped Anton with his suit when he had pleaded on going to her funeral. That was the first time Jenny saw this usually stoic boy show emotion, tears running down his face. Jenny had to give him a hug, and when his hands clung to her dress she declared to herself then and there that she was going to do her absolute best for this boy. She may not have been able to help with his past, but she’ll be damned if she couldn’t help his future.
That declaration lead her to where she was today, standing outside the nondescript but colonial looking building with its name written in gold font font on the side. The Irina Foundation. Warm air immediately hit her when she entered its reception, the modern furnishings giving a different vibe to what was presented outside. Jenny swallowed and approached the front desk “Excuse me sir, My name is Jenny Caldwell….I have an appointment with a Melanie Boyle?”. The secretary looked down on to the computer. “Caldwell..yes I see it here …1015? Have a seat Mrs Caldwell, I will let Mel know you are here”. He looked up and smiled. “Thank very much” Jenny replied, and when on to sit on the plush but sleek couches that were settled on the side of the room. A big window tied the place together, overlooking a small but well tended Japanese garden.
Just as Jenny had started to go through a papers a gentle “Mrs Jennifer Caldwell?” had made her look up to see small but voluptuous brunette in a navy blue pantsuit. “Hi! I’m Mel, the Game Changers camp recruitment officer. Come with me - we can chat in my office” . Jenny was then lead in to what seemed like a cross between an office and a play zone. The desk was stacked with papers and knick knacks, and Jenny couldn’t help to notice the shelf of books and toys in the corner of the room, a small table and chair set in the same space. “I’m so sorry for the mess, we are just finalising the details for the next camp session and everything has been go, go go! Please, have a seat’ Mel had come behind her desk, an apologetic look on her face”. “Oh god don’t worry!, completely understandable! I can’t judge, my desk looks like had hurricane blew in!” Jenny replied. “Thank you! Now I do have say that it’s lovely to finally meet you! Lucy always goes on about her goddess of a wife when Chris comes in for his Physio sessions. Your wife is amazing! Chris’s shoulder has definitely improved since he started to see her”. Jenny felt her face heat up “Thank you so much, now I may be biased but I think my wife is amazing too - and its Jenny, please!” Mel chuckled “Jenny then, and I wouldn’t expect anything else! Now, how can I help you? Chris mentioned that it was something to do concerning one of your cases?.”
This is it Jen, don’t screw this up.
Jenny passed Mel the portfolio she had clutched in her hands. “Actually, It is to do with one my cases. You see I have this case, this young boy. Smart as whip, quiet but very sweet. He has been having a bit of trouble with school but the one thing that helps him focus is Hockey. His coaches sing his praises -“ Coaches, as in more then one?” Mel looked up from her pursuing.
“Yes, more then one” Jenny confirmed, looking chagrined. “You see, he hasn’t had it easy - not much of a stable living situation I’m afraid. It has lead to some agitated behaviours that have lead his schools requesting to be transferred. Like I said previously, he usually is quiet…shy. He never really explained as to what had lead to those incidences so the schools took measures. He never had any problems on the ice or during practice, which always surprised his coaches when they were told he had to be transferred. He always manages to land a spot on the hockey teams wherever he goes, even if its in the middle of the season.”
Jenny took a deep breath and tried to loosen her shoulders. “He isn’t a bad kid, just had some rotten luck. He is so interesting to watch when he is on the ice, as soon as he see's that puck drops you can see him focus, become steady. He is so fast, and it’s almost as if he is one step ahead of everyone, like he knows exactly where that puck is going to move to next. His teams always have good stats, and again the coaches are always saying good things about him. You would think that would make him arrogant but it doesn’t, and he so sweet to the littles group when they come in to play on the ice”.
Mel smiled and leant back in her chair, folding her hands. “He sounds like a great kid, you seem to care about him a lot.” Jenny looked to the side, eyes stinging slightly. “I care about all my kids, and I try my best to help them all. Sometimes my best is all they have. But I know this boy is special, and with the proper support and guidance he can go along way, maybe even a brighter future.”
“So I ask again Mrs Jenny Caldwell, how can I help?” Mel asked, though she had a feeling where all this was leading up to. “I know asking this last minute complicates things, and I know he is slightly older then the usual campers…..but I was hoping if I could apply Anton to be a subsidised placement recipient in the next Game Changers Camp session? I know he will work hard and he would really benefit from learning from the expert professional Hockey players. It’s his dream to someday be drafted, and the camps give him some exposure. Just please…give him a chance?”
Mel kept her composure, but inwardly grimaced. “Jenny, look, like I said he seems like a great kid and I would be happy to approve his application. But we have already approved and signed off on all of the placements this year, plus the other applicants we have from our waiting list. Perhaps he could apply for next year?”.
Jenny’s shoulders tightened, and the stinging came back. “ I see, It’s just I’m not sure if he would be with me next year, the departments have mentioned they may reshuffling cases again this year.” She let out a breath, and put on her big girl professional smile. “Well, it was worth a shot, I’ll put a note in his file. I’m sorry for taking up your time, I appreciate you hearing me out - thank you.” “No, not at all! Happy to have listened, and again, I’m so sorry that I can’t help. Look, if anything changes I’ll let you know as soon as possible, ok?” Jenny smiled slightly, “Thanks Mel, we’ll appreciate that”
Jenny left the building and climbed in to her car. She reached home and stopped the car. her hand automatically reaching into her bag for her phone. “Hey sweetheart, how are you? How did the meeting go?” Her wife, her rock. All of a sudden she burst in to tears. “Oh honey, I’m so sorry” Lucy whispered. “Hey, I’m almost finished here - lets go pick him up and we can go out for ice-cream. We can tell him together.”
Telling Anton that their plan hadn’t worked was one of the hardest things Jenny has ever had to do. Seeing the excitement drain out of him was so sad, and the couple hated seeing his shoulders slump. “But hey, they said we can apply for next year - I’m sure you’ll get a spot then!” Anton looked up from his ice-cream and smiled slightly. “spasibo Mrs Jenny, thank you for everything.” Jenny gave him a small smile, but quickly exchanged a worried glance with her wife.
Later that evening, after dropping off Anton at the group home, Jenny and Lucy received a phone call. Jenny, already on her third glass of wine, quickly washed her face and straightened up - praying to God that she hadn’t already started to slur her words. “ Hello Jenny, it’s Mel here, from the Irina Foundation? Listen, I had a chat with our directer and presented your case to the board. They had a look over Anton's application and they seemed impressed. We can open a spot for him if he still interested, but it would have to be with our next clinic. Can he come in next week?”
As soon as the call had been cut off, Jenny burst in to tears again.