Page 14 of Everlasting Vows

He nods proudly, then stands and wanders over to his desk. “You’ve got it.” He shuffles a few papers around and comes back with a notepad and pen. “Let’s make a plan for the next week.”

We work together to make a realistic plan for the week, and I walk out of his office feeling less overwhelmed, knowing I have something concrete to work with.

6

ABBI

I tug the edges of my sweater together. It’s chilly in the city once the sun goes down, but I remind myself I get to go home to a warm house and a comfortable bed. My stomach is full with the sandwich Jase and I bought from the café earlier this afternoon, and I don’t have to line up in the street to wait for a shower and do my laundry.

I’m truly blessed.

And that thought stops me in my tracks. It has me questioning why I would want to destroy the life I have. Why would I want to leave Nix and the life we’ve built together? It’s not like he’s an abusive partner. He’s a good man. A flawed man.

Is that enough of a reason to end our thirty plus year relationship?

I mean, I have flaws too, and he hasn’t abandoned me. A voice in the back of my mind reminds me that he has abandoned me in some ways. In ways that are important to me.

But he said he’ll do better. He promised.

He’s always been a man of his word, but can I trust him to follow through when his business is so important to him? I’m not so sure.

The line is long tonight. In the current economy, people are doing it tougher than they should be. I smile warmly and add roast beef to the sub roll I’m holding, then pass it off to Jase, who adds the gravy before handing it over.

The man takes the sandwich, nodding at me and lifting it toward Jase. “Thanks, Jase.” He smiles, showing his missing teeth.

“You’re welcome, Patrick,” Jase says, while I nod. With no vacant chairs, he wanders over to the curb to sit and eat his meal, and I wonder what his story is. I’m sure there was a time when he had a warm home to go to, regular meals, and a bed to sleep in at night.

“How do you know that man?” I ask Jase.

Jase points down the road a little, just beyond Stone Tower. “He spends a lot of time around there, so I used to see him daily on the way to work from the subway. Now that I live in the building, I make it a point to head down to see him each morning.” He looks across to where Patrick is sitting. “I like to keep an eye on him. Make sure he gets breakfast most days.”

Ahh, that explains why he doesn’t use the internal elevator to come into work. “That’s very kind of you.”

He shrugs. “The guy went to war for our country. It’s the least I can do.”

Jase and I continue to make roast beef sub rolls with gravy for the people waiting in line. “Hot roast beef and gravy sub rolls feel like a real treat,” I remark to Jase. “Especially on a chilly night.”

“Yeah. It’s something different. A farmer donated a couple of cows, so Simon hit up a local bakery for the sub rolls.” He looks across at a small huddle enjoying their meal. “I think they’re a hit.”

“You think?” I chuckle. “It always amazes me how Simon secures these donations.” When I worked for him, he was in the early stages of planning this program. It’s grown over the years, and the services he provides within the city every Friday night have expanded considerably. I think he’d be happier if he could be out here every night.

“He’s definitely talented in that department.” Jase winks as he digs into his pocket, pulling something out.

“I know he has a lot of connections working in real estate.” I pile on a generous amount of beef and pass the sub roll to Jase so he can add gravy. He discreetly tucks whatever he pulled from his pocket into the napkin before handing it to the striking young woman with two different-colored eyes.

She drops her unique gaze away from Jase as her cheeks turn pink, then says, “Thanks,” and moves along the line.

He pauses to watch her for a moment, and then turns to me. “Yeah. He collects friends and acquaintances everywhere he goes. He’s always been like that. And he has a way about him that makes people want to help him.” Jase chuckles. “Ever since he started CompassionAide, he’s perfected his approach to getting businesses to help him.”

Simon steps between us, casually resting his arms around both our shoulders. “My ears are burning. Are you two talking about me again?”

I nudge him with my elbow. “We’re always talking about you.”

His laugh rings out between us as he rubs his ribs. “Nothing bad, I hope.”

“As if there’s anything bad we could say about you.” I stare at him in disbelief. I bet his family is super proud of everything he’s achieved with this venture. I know they volunteer on the Friday nights when Jase and I aren’t here.

“I’m no saint, Abs.” He rubs the scruff decorating his sharp jaw. “I’ll take over here. Can you switch places with me and monitor the showers? A young woman and her son don’t seem comfortable having me close by, and I don’t want them to miss the opportunity to wash.”