Page 82 of I’ll Be Watching You

“One of our regular volunteers had to leave early because her daughter went into labor, we’re just a little shorthanded so I’m pitching in.”

“Tell us what to do,” I said.

“I never turn down free help,” Grace said. “Jack, would you mind helping Carl in the back room?” She gestured down the hall. “He’s bringing in extra chairs. Margo, Frank is in charge of the kitchen, if you don’t mind asking what he needs?”

“I’m on it,” I said.

We had never volunteered at Honor House, but they hadn’t been this big when we were teenagers.

Mom and Dad had insisted that we find one community organization to help at least one day a month. My cousin Josie and I spent most of our community service time helping coach kids in whatever sport was in season through a local nonprofit. Both of us much preferred being active. However, I’d often worked at our church for several days before Thanksgiving when they prepped hundreds of precooked meals for needy families, so I knew my way around industrial kitchens.

I introduced myself to Frank and he tasked me with packing box lunches. There were a hundred premade turkey sandwiches, a barrel of apples, and what smelled like homemade cookies. I asked him what they were for, considering he was prepping the food line.

“Food to go, if they want it. I don’t force it on anyone, don’t want it to go to waste. Don’t need litter out there. Some of the guys who come in for a hot meal are perfectly capable of providing for themselves, but they’re lonely, want the company. Many of the guys have jobs and take the lunch bag for tomorrow’s work.”

“Good program.”

“Wish more of our men and women took advantage of the other services Honor House offers, but you can’t force people to do what they don’t want to do. You serve?”

“Yes, sir. Army.”

He grinned. “Same here. I was a cook, made thousands of meals a day with my team. Good times.”

We chatted while I bagged, and by the time I was done, the first people were let into the dining hall and waited in line.

“Need help serving?”

“Naw, Carl’s back, he and I can take care of it. Thanks.”

I left and found Jack and Grace talking outside. It was a beautiful evening. As the sun set, it became chilly, at least by Phoenix standards.

“I asked Grace about the board,” Jack said.

Grace nodded. “Mildred Maddox is on the board primarily because she’s one of our top donors, and she is instrumental in helping us raise more money. Other than fundraising, she’s pretty much hands-off. She’ll be cycling off next year, though she assured me she will continue to financially support our mission.”

“What does the board do?” I asked.

“Primarily, help us raise money. Having successful business members on the board entices other successful people to donate. It’s a sign that we’re a competent nonprofit. When so many nonprofits ask for money, any way we can rise above them, I’ll take. I’m sure there are other good programs, but I feel like we’re doing God’s work by helping homeless and struggling veterans.”

“You are,” Jack told her. “Do you know Mildred personally?”

“Not well, she came on the board five years ago. We have one annual meeting in person a year, but the board only approves the annual budget and any major expenditures, such as adding a wing to a building or major purchase. The CFO and I are full-time staff as well as board members and we can make most decisions between meetings. If something comes up that we need board approval, we call a virtual meeting.”

She looked from Jack to me. “Why all these questions about Mildred?”

“Just curious,” I said. It sounded lame, but I didn’t want to lie to her more than I already had.

“Is it about Jim Novak? Did you find him?”

“We haven’t, but we think we know where he’ll be tonight. Our colleague is going to reach out to him.”

“Please let me know, I would love to get him into the program.”

“Would Mildred have reason to know Jim?” I asked.

“I suppose any board member who is regularly involved might know any number of our clients, but Mildred has never been a volunteer. I don’t see how she would.”

“Thank you for your time,” Jack said.