“It's okay, honey.There's no rush,” Eve said kindly.“The kids are eating next door, so we can have a quiet night.”
I felt bad.She'd given me one job, and I'd forgotten to do it.I opened the fridge and pulled out a large plate with huge steaks on it.After I shut the door, I turned to see the food bank on the big TV screen.A reporter was interviewing a woman who looked very familiar.She'd served me many times over the years.Her name was Gladys.
“Today, we'd like to report some fantastic news.I have the head coordinator of this food bank here with us today.Gladys, can you tell us a little about the wonderful things happening here?”
Gladys smiled as the camera focused in on her.I shushed everyone so I could hear better.“Certainly.We've been given a large donation to make enormous improvements.”
The reporter stepped in closer.“What kind of improvements exactly?”
Gladys smiled into the camera.There were trucks and workers surrounding them.“Well, over there,” she pointed, and the camera showed a large area that was being torn up.I remembered how horrible that concrete was.Completely impassable.“We're going to be putting in four basketball courts.Right now, it looks a little rough.But soon—” her voice suddenly took on an emotional tone, “it'll be wonderful.”
The reporter pointed to the other side of the property.It was full of abandoned, dilapidated, unlivable homes.I always wondered why the city hadn't done something with it.“And over there?”
Gladys's smile widened.“Ah, that is an exciting new project.We've just recently been able to purchase that entire parcel of land.And we're putting in a swimming facility for the kids in the area.As you know, our youth have a difficult time accessing recreation facilities due to many socioeconomic reasons.But now, they'll be able to sign up for swim classes, diving classes, or just come on in to have fun with their friends and family.”
Wait.
Basketball courts.
A swimming facility.
I looked over at Stefan.His eyes were on the screen.
“Stefan,” I said, my stomach doing a weird little squeezy flip.
He looked at me.“What?”
Gladys continued talking.“And over here, the entirety of our main building will be torn down and turned into a multipurpose center.The kids will attend after-hours homework help from tutors.Or sign up for art classes.”
Holy.
Crap.
“Stefan,” I muttered in shock.
“And how were you able to raise enough money to pay for this?”the reporter asked, swinging her arm around.“It must cost millions of dollars to do all of this.”
Gladys's smile grew impossibly big.“An anonymous benefactor called us up months ago.We've been working hand in hand ever since.And now, we're excited to finally get started.”
Yeah.
Holy.
Crap.
The plate of meat slipped out of my hands and went crashing to the floor.
I turned to Stefan.“You—” I started speaking over my dry throat and swallowed.“You.That was you.Wasn't it?”
His eyes hit mine.“What?No, they said that the person was anonymous.It could be anyone.”He shook his head.
Someone had turned the volume down on the TV.Silence filled the kitchen.
“It wasn't an anonymous benefactor.It was you.I saw the files upstairs.And the letter.It was you.Wasn't it?”
Stefan looked down at the counter and set his knife there.When he looked up, he said, “It doesn't matter who did it.It matters that it's getting done.”
Tears fell down my cheeks, and I walked up to him.“It matters,” my voice trembled.
