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We work side by side with the caters, decorators, and party planners to get everything together. We finish not a moment too soon, as the women begin to show up. The trolleybuses are set behind the clinic so the women cannot see the trolleybuses. I have also provided child care for the women who cannot find babysitters, they will have their own luncheon. I stay in the background as I watch Lenny interact with the women. They are so comfortable with her and she with them. They all look beautiful, most are dressed up as are their children.
“We are going to be doing things a little differently this year,” Lenny says. “We have a very generous benefactor today that has given us a rare treat. He has also provided daycare for any of you who want to leave your children here and they will have their own luncheon. If you all follow me, we can get started with our annual Mother’s Day luncheon.” Lenny says as she begins walking the women around to the back of the clinic. I asked her to not tell them it was me who provided today’s festivities.
The excitement is overwhelming, as they begin to file onto the bus amid excited chatter and laughter. Most leave the children with the daycare attendants I had Jabarri vet and hire for the day. Lennox, Brooklyn, and her other staff all get on the trolley with the women. I take a seat at the back of the trolley so I would not interfere with their time or experience. The driver will take them on a two- and a half-hour drive down to Mobile Bay and back. The daycare attendants have our location at all times, and they also have transportation if they need to bring us a child or children.
Over the years, I have done things to help people, given things to people, and promoted people, but I have never felt for them what I feel today watching these women enjoy something so simple. Well simple to me. I will talk to Joshua about what we can do to help these families out. I tune in and out of the conversations around me, but for the most part these women work their asses off but still barely make ends meet. Others want to go back to school to get degrees or certifications but because of locations and logistics it seems like an impossibility. I send a text to Josh giving him the broad strokes of what I am thinking, and of course he is more than willing to help. On the way back to the clinic, I get the call that the second half of my Mother’s Day surprise has arrived at the clinic.
“Benny! What have you done now?” Lennox inquires. Once she sees the trucks in the parking lot.
“Just a little Mother’s Day gift for the ladies,” I say. The trolleybus parks and the women unload and head to the trucks to see what is going on. I get off the bus and motion for the trucks to be opened. In the truck there are nursery supplies for the women who are pregnant and the new mothers. Including cribs, changing tables, glider chairs, diapers, clothes, etc. I have also provided supplies to the mothers. For the women who are not with children or have infants I have provided, gift cards, feminine hygiene, and personal hygiene products. The children received toys, books, bedroom furniture, and even the beginning of college savings accounts.
We are having a grand time; the women are going over all the things they have received.
“Benny, you have truly outdone yourself, how am I ever going to match this?”
“I will make this an annual thing Lenny; all you have to do is give the word.”
“Are you going back to Mississippi tonight?”
“No, I planned on staying tonight and going home tomorrow.”
“Where were you staying tonight?”
“In Mobile, I found a beautiful little boutique hotel.”
“Are you thinking about buying it?”
“I did give it some thought, but I have not made up my mind on it.”
“Peter, I would like for you to stay with me. I have plenty of room and I would love to spend more time with you.”
“I would love to Lenny.”
It’s another few hours before the ladies are set to go home. I have provided delivery to get their bounties home. I also provided gifts for Lenny’s staff. The photographer took a plethora of pictures to commemorate the event. The staff I hired cleans up everything and we make sure everything is locked up and set to rights. Lenny and I wait until everyone is gone before I follow her back to her house.
It is a beautiful house and exactly what I would expect Lenny to own. It is not even half the size of my house, but it is more than enough for Lenny. Two master bedrooms downstairs and four bedrooms upstairs. I love that it is directly on the water. The back yard is only a few feet from the water and is a very peaceful serene space that has an amazing garden that could probably be featured in a magazine. I am sure she needs a space like this after working long hard shifts.
Lenny showed me to the room I would be staying in which happens to be just a few doors down from her. The room is beautiful and inviting, I put my overnight bag up and head back out and wait for Lenny. A few seconds later she appears from her bedroom.
“Do you want something to drink?”
“Yes, water please.” She grabs a water from the refrigerator and hands it to me.
“We have to figure out what we want for dinner since we let the women take home the left-over food from the luncheon. Do you have any requests or suggestions?”
“No not really, anything is fine with me.”
“Peter today was amazing. The women were so happy and appreciative of all you did today. I never expected this. I got a lot of questions about who you were, and even a few of the women asking if you’re single. But all the women agreed you are a good-looking man.”
“And what did you tell them Lenny? When they asked if I was a single man?” I ask her.
“I told them no Peter, you are not a single man, you belong to me and I to you. Duh!” she says with a little attitude, and I burst out laughing. “I know you didn’t think I would be ashamed to say that or let them believe they have a shot with you, because they don’t.”
“Possessive, aren’t you Lenny?”
“No, but if you think that maybe I should tell the new doctor at the hospital, I can go to dinner with him after all.” She challenges.
“Don’t let the suit and age fool you Lenny, I still can fight. Don’t get the doctor a stay in the same hospital he works for.” I tell her as I sip my water.
