I'm joining this week's assignment over at Mama Kat's. This post is part of her weekly writer's prompt. I decided to write about a time that I hurt someones feelings and it still bothers me to this day.

Many moons ago, pre-kids, I used to be a secretary in a small law office. The two attorneys I worked for actually became my friends. We spent a lot of time together. They both had wonderful senses of humor and made work a entertaining place to be. I know...hard to imagine since I told you they were lawyers.

One of the attorneys, let's call her Mrs. H., had a rough year. Her babies grew up and moved out. Her surgeon husband was always at work. At she started to drink.

She started to come in late.

She started to come in wearing the same clothes as she had on yesterday.

I started covering for her.

Aside from actually going to court, I handled pretty much everything. If you've typed one custody agreement, you've typed them all. If you've typed one standard divorce decree you've pretty much typed them all.

I started to find alcohol in her desk.

I started to resent her.

Her husband called. "Did I notice...." blah blah blah.

My other boss said, "Do you think she is a drunk?"

Collectively, we decided that we needed to do something.

It is very hard to look someone in the eyes and tell them they are losing it. That they are an alcoholic. That their practice is suffering. That they need to walk away and get better.

It may save them, but it cuts them deeply.

Do I regret helping her. Absolutely not. Does it hurt any less knowing I said what I said to save her? No. It really doesn't.