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Angie was across the hall from 1A. Hefting the box under her arm, she went to the door and knocked. When no one answered, she tried again.
"Im comin," someone said.
The door opened. A middle-aged woman with a hard face and soft eyes stood there. She wore a floral housedress and Converse high-top tennis shoes. A red kerchief covered most of her hair.
"Are you Ms. Mauk?" Angie asked, feeling suddenly conspicuous. She felt the womans wariness.
"I am. Whaddaya want?"
"This package. Its for Lauren Ribido. "
"Lauren," the woman said, her mouth softening into a smile. "Shes a good girl. " Then she frowned again. "You dont look like a delivery person. " Mrs. Mauks gaze slid pointedly down to Angies shoes, then back up.
"Its a winter coat," Angie said. In the silence that followed, Angie felt compelled to explain. "I was at HelpYour-Neighbor when she--Lauren--came in, asking for a coat for her mother. I thought . . . why not get two? So here I am. I could leave the box with you. Would that be okay?"
"Youd best. They arent home now. "
Angie handed her the box. She had just started to turn away when the woman asked her name.
"Angela Malone. Used to be DeSaria. " She always added that in town. Everyone, it seemed, knew her family.
"From the restaurant?"
Angie smiled. "Thats me. "
"My daughter used to love that place. "
Used to. That was the problem with the restaurant. People had forgotten about it. "Bring her by again. Ill make sure she gets the royal treatment. " Angie knew instantly that shed said something wrong.
"Thanks," Ms. Mauk said in a husky voice. "Ill do that. "
And the door shut.
Angie stood there, wondering what shed done wrong. Finally, with a sigh, she turned and headed for the door.
Once in her car, she sat there, staring through the windshield at the rundown neighborhood. A bright yellow school bus pulled up to the corner and stopped. Several children spilled down the steps and jumped out onto the street. They were young--probably first or second graders.
No moms waited for them on the corner, talking to one another, sipping expensive lattes in Starbucks cups.
She felt that old wrenching in her chest, the blossoming of her familiar ache. She swallowed hard, watching the children move together in a pack, kicking a can down the sidewalk and laughing.
It wasnt until they were almost out of eyeshot that she realized what was missing.
Coats.
Not one of those kids was wearing a winter coat, even though it was cold outside. And by next month, it would be colder still.
The idea came to her right then: A coat drive at DeSarias. For every new or gently used coat donated, theyd offer a free dinner.
It was perfect.
She jammed her key in the ignition and started the car. She couldnt wait to tell Mira.
LAUREN HURRIED ACROSS CAMPUS. COLD AIR SMACKED her in the face. Her breath released in white plumes that faded fast as she walked.
David stood at the flagpole, waiting for her. At her appearance, he smiled brightly. She could tell hed been waiting awhile; his cheeks were ruddy pink. "Damn, its cold out here," he said, pulling her close for a long, lingering French kiss.
They walked across the commons, waving and smiling at friends, talking quietly to each other.
