I had my first alone meeting with Hope today and I love her already. She is more troubled than any of the kids I've worked with before, but she tries hard to hide it. We spent the hour just getting to know each other and she was very forthcoming, even though I didn't pry. She never knew her mother and she and her three sisters were raised (and I use that word very loosely) by her father.  Her father abused her and although I don't know how, he got a 20-year prison sentence for it, so I assume it was sexually. And she said that he did not prey on her sisters... just her. Her uncle encouraged her to start smoking pot when she was 9, which led to black mollies and ecstasy. I cannot believe she is only 14 and have to be careful not to let my empathy get tangled up in this. She also told me that she never wants children and then later added that she's gay. She certainly could be, but I have to suspect that it's due to her dad. I carefully explained to her that I will never judge her and am really only there to be her friend. Since this ain't my first rodeo, I also am aware that some or all of the things she told me may not be true. But I will assume for now that it is and since she did mention the abuse in front of her therapist the other day, I suspect that part is definitely true. I will cetainly have a new person in my prayers from now on.