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only way for her to have any sort of chance. She let out a heavy breath and then slid into the back seat with Walter following close behind. He closed the door and then asked the cabdriver to take them to the art museum downtown.
    “The art museum? What’s—”
    “Shh.” Walter shushed her and then leaned over and whispered, “Listen.” He raised his hand and tapped his head with his finger.
    Melina nodded slowly. It wasn’t long before she heard the low whispering sound in her mind again. She closed her eyes and tried to focus on the cabdriver’s thoughts, but once she actually started to hear his voice, it was all broken up like a bad cell phone connection. She started to get frustrated. Why couldn’t she hear what he was thinking? She heard Tessa’s thoughts clear as day. She opened her eyes and threw her head back while letting out a heavy sigh.
    “Relax,” Walter whispered to her. “You want to focus on him, but not that intensely. Just let it happen. Try again.”
    Melina gave him a small nod and then turned back to look at the driver. She tried to focus again, tried to hear his thoughts clearly, but they were still a jumbled mess. Frustrated, she closed her eyes, thinking it might help. Why can’t I hear him? He’s just one person, and he’s right here in front of me. Are his thoughts that complex? Does he…
    And then she heard it. The cabdriver’s voice rang clearly in her mind.
    Nobody gives good tips anymore. They’ll probably give me a dollar a piece. Being laid off sucks. I’ve got to find something better. Laura and Timmy deserve better. I’m not sure how much longer we can make it.
    Melina opened her eyes and looked over at Walter. He gave her an encouraging smile. She opened her mouth to say something when she felt the cab stop and heard the driver say, “Here we are.”
    The meter on the dash read ten dollars even. She pulled her wallet out from her purse and flipped through it. There were a couple of ones, a five, a ten, and a twenty-dollar bill. She stared at the cash for a few seconds and then plucked the ten and twenty out and handed both bills to the driver. “Keep the change,” she said as she smiled at him.
    “Thank you,” the driver said as he stared down at the money.
    Melina nodded and then shoved her wallet back into her purse as she exited the cab. She shut the door and looked up to see Walter smiling at her.
    “That was nice of you,” he said.
    “It was the least I could do,” Melina said in a proud voice. “It felt nice to help him.”
    “Yes, even small gestures help.”
    Melina’s smile faded. “A small gesture? But I gave him a twenty dollar tip.”
    “I’m not saying that your gesture wasn’t generous,” Walter said as he began to climb the steps to the museum’s entrance. “I’m trying to get you to think like a guiding angel. Yes, you helped him out with his financial struggles, but that’s not his main problem.”
    Melina didn’t say anything as she followed him up the stairs. She simply looked at him, confused.
    Walter continued. “The main thing that he’s struggling with is losing his job and having to take a cab-driving gig to get by.”
    “But I heard his thoughts clearly. He was complaining about not having enough money.”
    “Yes, and do you think he’ll be able to obtain a better job, one that will pay him anything close to the salary of his previous job, when he’s angry all the time? No matter how much he tries to hide it, his bitterness will show through in an interview. No, what he needs to improve his financial situation is help in changing his attitude and outlook. That’s what the majority of our charges need help with.”
    “Of course,” Melina uttered as she shook her head. Changing people’s attitudes and outlooks. The answer was so obvious. I’m going to fail.
    “No you’re not,” Walter piped up. “You just need more practice. Shall we?” He opened the front door to the museum and ushered her inside.
    Melina