Page 54 of Lennox Lane

Lane stood beside him near the shelves, and the room quieted in stages. Lennox noticed that too. People did not quiet for Lane because they feared her. They quieted because they trusted her.

That was rare.

“I know we’re about to open, so I’ll keep this quick,” Lane said, lifting her voice just enough to carry through the room. “Marisol called me this morning about a donation that came through the emergency fund portal. I wanted to let everyone know the donation is legitimate.”

A murmur passed through the staff. Lane glanced at Lennox. He stayed still, hands loosely clasped in front of him, letting her decide how to say it.

She looked back at her team. “The anonymous donor is standing beside me.”

Every head turned toward him, and Lennox smiled politely.

Ms. Cora narrowed her eyes. “The Depends man?”

Lane sighed. “Ms. Cora.”

“What? I’m orienting myself.”

Nova would love her.

Lane continued before Lennox could make the mistake of laughing too hard. “Lennox has committed to donating one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars every quarter.”

Everyone stopped moving, and the quiet that moved through the room made Lennox grateful he could breathe joy and resources into Lane’s dream.

The kind of silence that came when hope walked in too big to process at once.

Then Marisol whispered, “Every quarter?”

Lennox nodded. “Every quarter.”

Tasha pressed a hand to her mouth. Andre looked toward the kitchen, blinking hard like the fluorescent lights had suddenly betrayed him. Miss Dottie murmured, “Thank you, Jesus,” soft enough to be prayer and loud enough to be testimony.

Lane’s voice thickened, but she kept it steady. “That money will help us cover the kitchen repairs, pantry renovations, more free food, and the build-out for the free grocery-style market we’ve been planning. It also means everyone on permanent staff will be receiving raises.”

The reaction hit all at once.

Gasps and laughter. Somebody clapped once, then stopped, like they weren’t sure whether celebration was allowed yet. Marisol’s eyes filled. Tasha turned away, wiping at her face. Andre looked up toward the ceiling and blew out a breath that sounded like it had been trapped in him for months.

Ms. Cora stared at Lane. “Permanent raises?”

Lane nodded. “Permanent.”

“Not a little holiday bonus with a cupcake?”

“Not a cupcake.”

Ms. Cora looked at Lennox. “You sure this money clean?”

Lennox opened his mouth.

Lane cut him a look.

He chose wisely.

“Yes, ma’am. Clean.”

“And quarterly?”

“Yes, ma’am.”