Ray gave a satisfied smile and took in a breath with pursed lips in consideration of just how much he was willing to divulge to this new patient; who like many, did not consider himself a patient. “Last action I saw was Panama, oh… late ’80’s, I believe.”
Genuinely curious Stephen replied, “Panama?”
“Yeah. I got a chance to spend Christmas time down there. They sent us Rangers in to snag a base in Rio Hato.”
Stephen thought about Mayweather, “Rangers. Holy crap, I really can’t get away from you guys, can I?”
“Say again?” Ray said with a perplexed look.
“Nothing. So you were combat arms?”
Ray sat back with a pleasing memory panning across his vision. “Yep. 11-Bravo. I’m an infantryman, through and through.”
“Well that’s something I can appreciate.” Stephen said with a notably more relaxed tone.
“That may have something to do with Colonel Hayes being so adamant about us meeting.” Ray unclasped his hands and leaned forward in his chair. “So you see, Stephen. Maybe I’m someone who can appreciate, if even just a fragment, the difficulties you faced over there and the challenge it may be for you to come back from that type of world, while attempting to forge on over here, at home. Warriors, we’re good at what we do. But we’re not always best at leaving our work at the office.”
Stephen straightened his chair, corrected his posture and looked across the desk. His gaze looked behind the rimless lenses to meet compassionate eyes extending an invitation of friendship.
Ray broke the chill forming in the air, “It’s been a tough road, hasn’t it?”
“Of course, it has. But which of us hasn’t had a tough road? Besides the adventures of life, the economy’s been in the crapper and it doesn’t look like its getting better anytime soon.”
“But your daughter, she’s doing better?”
Recognizing the counselor had done his homework and would have been given access to certain personnel files and commander reports, Stephen rested his guard and resolved himself to the fact that Ray certainly knew a lot about him already. Besides, the thought of his daughter brought a smile to his face.
“Right, Hailey. She’s our nine year old. Yes, she’s doing much better. We finished off her last treatments recently and they were pretty rough this time. It was harder than the first time around. A lot more nausea and sleepless nights.”
“But you got a chance to be next to her during the rough parts?” Ray added a nugget of gold to remind Stephen of things he could count as blessings.
“Yeah. Plus she’s older now and we had more support.”
Ray injected to keep Stephen talking, “An elementary school girl has a lot more friends than a toddler does.”
“Exactly. People from her class that we didn’t even know were visiting her. She and my wife, Sarah, also have friends at my mother’s church now, Hailey has a Sunday school class she’s in and those families were really sweet. They’ve been a huge help.”
“Sounds like your wife and daughter are part of that community. So it’s not just your mother’s church anymore?”
Stephen laughed, “I guess not. Apparently, this Jesus thing is infectious. But don’t try to convert me, Father. I’m vaccinated.”
Ray lifted his arms as if showing he was unarmed. “I only preach on Sundays.” They both gave a brief laugh. “But your mom’s church and all that stuff, it’s not something you’re interested in?”
“No, not in the least. It’s safe to say you won’t find me walking into a church on purpose.”
“That’s perfectly fine.” Ray responded unobtrusively. “But I heard you emphasize how much the people from the church were a huge help. Was there more?”
“Yeah, they’ve been an encouragement for all of us, certainly. Through the toughest months of the treatments, Sarah took over Hailey’s day-to-day care. I was able to make most of the doctor appointments, but I really needed to hit it hard to get this new business we started off the ground.”
Stephen continued, “A few months ago, my mother introduced to me to a guy from her church. I think she said he was a deacon or something. Regardless, this guy is a really successful businessman. He built a small empire out of repairing eighteen wheeler trucks.”
“Impressive.” Ray said.
“I was impressed, that’s for sure.” Stephen continued, “Well, this guy gave me all kinds of time. We went for coffee and gave me tons of advice: how to set up the business, form a company legally, what type of insurance to get, all the business sort of stuff I never used to pay attention to, but he knew I needed it. Then he started inviting me to lunch with other people, real estate developers that he knew.”
“He helped you network? That had to be good.”
“It was golden. These were exactly the type of people I wanted to meet. They were the ones who could help us get the business going.” Stephen sounded reassured, almost as if he were about to get excited about how this story played out, but his voice trailed as he finished his words. “It just hasn’t entirely worked out that way yet.”
“But it still sounds like this guy was a major help.” Ray assured.
“He was. As a result, we have an official, registered real estate appraisal company: S&S Commercial Appraisers, LLC.”
“S&S… for Stephen and Sarah?” Ray said while his eyebrow tilted in a show of curiosity.
“Yeah. I know, I know. But it’s real estate appraisal. It’s not a marketing company.”
“Hey, hey. There ain’t no judgment on creativity here. If I had a private practice it would likely be called, Counselor Ray’s Private Practice.”
“Counselor Ray’s Private Practice, LLC.” Stephen suggested.
“Probably.” Ray agreed. “But then, being a military guy, I’d have to make an acronym out of it.”
“And if you hired others it would have to be Counselor Ray and Associate’s Practice.” Stephen smiled. “Kinda invites people to bring their, uhm, their crap to you. Doesn’t it?”
They paused for a moment before a burst of joint laughter erupted through the room. Jovial tones of relief emerged from both men; Ray’s propelled by the pleasure of seeing his patient relax and let out a good laugh, while Stephen’s came from a unexpected release of pent up emotion.
Wiping a tear of laughter from his eye, Ray said, “Okay, okay. Now that we’ve made it clear we both suck at marketing, back to your business. That’s a pretty good start you guys have there, Stephen. So what’s S&S doing today?”
Stephen’s previous cheer evaporated and his voice trailed lower to nearly a mumble, “Well, you know. Things are still tough and the economy makes it even more difficult to find work. But I’m working. Early morning starts and tireless days do enough to keep food on the table. It’s good though. I think we’re building a descent reputation from the referral business I’m getting.”
“Any recharge time for you in all that work?”
“Not at the moment, no. But I’m working on that too. Trying to find ways to make extra income by duplicating my efforts, and maybe sooner than later I’ll find a way to balance it all out.”
“Duplicating your efforts?” Ray inquired.
“Yeah. I’m hiring subcontractors to work for me. I know some really good people in my industry who need work. They’re not willing to completely go out on their own and start their own company, but they’ll take work when it comes around. A little guidance from me and I send them off on the jobs that I can’t get to. I’ve got a few people I’m keeping busy close to forty hours a week now.”
Ray sensed that Stephen seemed to talk a little faster as he described working with his contract employees. There was a pleasure point that was subtle, but identifiable. Ray decided to prod it along further, “So you’re getting a chance to pour into others? Is that something you enjoy?”