AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I planned to walk into the hearing prepared to tell the truth and let the chips fall where they may. How I was going to live if I didn’t have my license, I wasn’t sure. I had done some research and found a couple of nonprofits that needed social workers who didn’t need to be licensed, and a foundation wanting someone with a human behavior background to help them sort through grants for non-profit social programs. That one in particular sounded interesting. The only problem was, neither paid well enough for me to stay in Manhattan.
By the time the day of the hearing came, I figured that while I’d broken the rule, I’d only done it once and tried to remedy it, so if I was lucky, I’d get six months or a year probation or maybe a suspension. Afterwards, I’d work harder, rebuild my reputation, and get my career back on track. I’d worked too hard and sacrificed too much to let one indiscretion ruin my career.
That was what I was telling myself as nerves threatened to undo me while I sat, waiting to be called to my hearing. Finally, I was called into the room where a group of people sat at the front of the space, making me think of being in court. I was asked to sit at a table facing them.
An older woman, whose name plate said Ms. Johnson, started the proceedings by reading off my name and the charge against me. Then Mr. Brown went through his report, starting with the call from the person who apparently saw me and Hunter in a compromising situation in the Rookery. He indicated that the people he interviewed for the most part were unaware that Mr. Raven was in counseling.
I closed my eyes as I realized this investigation outed Hunter to the people who worked for him.
“So much for confidentiality,” I quipped under my breath. But it was loud enough for the panel members to look my way, and Mr. Brown to stop talking momentarily. I probably should have apologized, but I simply stared back at them.
“One person did say she saw the two of them embrace and kiss,” Mr. Brown said, with a glance up at me.
I scanned my brain as to when that might have been. We didn’t do any public displays of affection that I remembered, and no one was in the office with us when we had sex. But maybe they heard us.
“I can also verify catching them…or should I say, hearing them in Ms. Reynold’s office.”
I closed my eyes as humiliation swept through me.
“We don’t need details, Stuart,” Ms. Johnson said. “At least, not at this point.”
“I’d like to point out that Ms. Reynolds lied to me when I first approached her.”
“That’s not true,” I said, even though I was being loose with the truth. “I told Mr. Brown I wasn’t seeing a client nor had I ever been reported before. That was true at the time I saw him.”
Ms. Johnson frowned. “But he’s found that wasn’t true.”
“Mr. Raven was no longer a client when Mr. Brown visited me,” I clarified.
“Did you have an inappropriate encounter during the time he was your client?” Ms. Johnson asked.
Now was the time to come clean. “Mr. Raven and I had been working together professionally for some time now. I had one encounter with him, at which time I terminated our professional relationship and referred him to other counseling.” I blew out a breath and prayed.
“You were aware of the potential ramifications and still broke your ethical vow?” Ms. Johnson asked.
“I did, and it has been a burden.”
“Not so much so that you’re not still seeing him,” Mr. Brown quipped.
“He’s not my client anymore.”
Ms. Johnson studied me. “Even so, there could be transference. You could still be negatively impacting his mental health because he first met you in a professional helping capacity.”
“No, she isn’t.”
I turned to see Hunter barging his way into the hearing.
“Hunter, please. I’m okay,” I said willing him to not do whatever it was he came to do.
He looked at me, and I got the feeling he wanted to abide by my wishes but couldn’t. I sighed as he stepped up next to me, putting his hand on my shoulder.
“I’m wondering why we’re having this hearing without a full investigation,” he said.
“I assure you, my investigation is complete,” Mr. Brown said.
“You never interviewed me,” Hunter challenged.
“I met you in Ms. Reynold’s office.”
“You showed up there to deliver the notice of this hearing, which you wouldn’t have done unless you were finished with your investigation. So again, I ask, why wasn’t I interviewed? And why wasn’t there an investigation on the motives of the reporter?”
“The motives of the reporter are irrelevant unless the charge was untrue. However, Ms. Reynolds just admitted to one inappropriate encounter,” Ms. Johnson explained.
