Sleeping with the Enemy

I could see death in the eyes of Faith. She was reduced to the little bit of hope that was clinging to her soul. Sensing that life wouldn't be kind to Faith, God equipped her with an extraordinary amount of hope at birth to fight through the harsh conditions that she'd encounter through her young adult life. By the time I met Faith, she seemed ready to trade her gift for death.

Faith stumbled upon my office by accident. She was looking for somebody from Counseling Services to talk to. Nobody was there. The Counselor on duty had left for the day. I was just about to log off my computer to go home when Faith found me. Seeing the look in her eyes, there was no way I could turn Faith away.

Faith had recently taken final exams and wanted to see her grades. All students can acess their grades online through the college's "Student Portal." I looked at the laptop Faith clutched under her right arm wondering why she hadn't just checked the grades herself in a wireless zone on campus. She also could have requested her marks to be sent via mail. After our exchange, it became clear to me why Faith sought neither option.

Faith: Excuse me, sir. Is there somebody else from Counseling Services who could help me with something?
Me: (looking at time) Probably not at this time. Most people are out of here by 5 p.m. and it's already five minutes past the hour.
Faith: (saddened) Oh okay. Can you look up grades?
Me: Yes, I can. Do you have ID to verify who you are?
Faith: (hands me her license) Here you go.
Me: Thanks

She had just turned 21 in February and lived in a shady part of the city.

Faith: Thank you so much for doing this. I don't come across many nice guys these days. (slight chuckle) 
Me: It's really not a problem at all. 
Faith: (looking around my office) You work for the basketball team here?
Me: I'm the Head Coach. You have any male relatives who are over 6 feet?? lol
Faith: My boyfriend is about 6'3 and plays ball. He's an idiot, though.
Me: An idiot? That's harsh.
Faith: No, it isn't. He's the worst thing that ever happened to me.
Me: (confused) How so?
Faith: He does everything possible for me to not be here taking classes, or do well. He takes the car when I need it. Sometimes he hides my books. He says I'm going to leave him once I get a degree. So stupid!
Me: Oh wow. That has to be a tough situation. 
Faith: You must be wondering why I'm still with him.
Me: I would think that's personal. 
Faith: (sobbing) I have nobody else but my 3 year old daughter and the people who work here. I have nobody whatsoever. Nobody wants me. Nobody cares. I take classes in the Human Services program just to have people in my life who care. 
Me: I'm so sorry to hear that. I know it sounds cliche, but I can't even imagine how you feel. I can tell you something to cheer you up just a little bit.
Faith: (crying) What's that?
Me: You got straight "As."