“Well, that doesn’t matter. Right now, you’re pregnant. And when it comes to this programme, it definitely doesn’t matter. You stay with me as your mentor whether you keep the baby or not. You would keep your housing whether you keep the baby or not. We’re about looking after the parents.”

His soup would be cold by now, yet he simply continued to watch it.

“And, Jack…”

His eyes darted up, blue and intelligent.

“If we get you out of the shelter, that just means there’s more space there to get someone else off the street. It all works out.”

Or they’d try to make it work out.

He gave a nod. “Okay.”

“Great. I brought some papers, things to get your Medicare card sorted out, and I wanted to talk to you about something else.”

His eyes were back on her. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” She smiled. “I spoke to my colleague down at the LGBT Community Centre, and he had a recommendation for a really great psychologist. I had a chat with him, and he’s worked with lots of teens who are trans. He would make space for you if you’re interested.”

As he stared at her, she hoped he didn’t notice that she held her breath. There would be no forcing him to go, but this was something he needed. Neither Frazer nor she were qualified to help Jack with things he had gone through, was going through, and would be going through in the near future.

“I went to a psychologist once.”

She didn’t say anything, only kept a hand on her water bottle while she watched him.

“She was one my parents found. She talked about phases. About tomboys. About—”

His voice cracked, and Cora wanted to lean forward and squeeze his hand. But she didn’t want to cross a line she hadn’t been invited over.

With glassy eyes, Jack stared back down at the table, taking deep breaths.

“This psychologist isn’t like that.” Painfully, Cora watched the flush creep up Jack’s neck and over his cheeks. “Not at all like that. We want to find someone who supports you. That’s all.”

Jack took another deep breath. “Okay. I’ll try.”

Relief flooded Cora’s body. “Great. That’s great, Jack. And I want you to call me when the first session is finished, if you want. We’ll make sure you’re happy with him. If you’re not, we find someone else.”

“Okay.” Jack’s teeth worried at his lip, and Cora waited to see if he’d ask her what was clearly on his mind. “Cora…”

“Yeah?”

Jack swallowed heavily. “I just…” His voice dropped low, the sound like gravel. “I just don’t know what to do about the baby.”