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Her hand came up to rub her forehead and I could see the frustration drain from her shoulders as sadness set in. “I don’t even want to consider that until after we do this event and attend the next board meeting.”
I pulled up in front of the library in an accessible space and nodded. “I agree. Let’s go talk to Dawson and then we’ll head back to the center to tie everything up for tomorrow.”
“He hangs out at the library a lot?” she asked as she got my chair out of the back hatch and rolled it around for me. While I transferred into my chair, she dressed Star and had him waiting when I was done.
“Thank you,” I said, taking his leash from her, our hands brushing together as I did. I didn’t realize how much I relied on her touch now, but just a brush of her hand calmed me and reminded me that I wasn’t alone. “He likes the library. It’s quiet and he can read without being disturbed. It’s warm and the librarians don’t mind that he’s here.”
She held the door for me to roll through. Once inside, I glanced to my left and right, looking for the man who had made an incredible impression on me over the last year and was now my friend. I spotted him in the back by a computer and motioned Hazel forward. Thankfully, the library was empty on this snowy day, so we could talk to him without disturbing anyone.
“Dawson,” I quietly said as we rolled up to him. “How you doing, man?”
Dawson stood immediately, grasping my hand for a shake before going in for a man hug. “I’m great, Irving. How are you? Long time no see. Do you have good news to report?”
“I wish I did,” I said, noticing his shoulders sink slightly. “But I have a favor to ask that might just get you moved in sooner rather than later. First, I want to introduce you to our recreation and programs social worker for New Beginnings. She’s in charge of events, programs, and other aspects of running the building for the tenants. This is Hazel Cane.”
“Nice to meet you, Hazel,” Dawson said, shaking her hand.
“I’ve heard many great things about you, Dawson. I appreciate your help at the center. From what I hear, you’re the reason Star stays safe every day when outside and that’s a huge relief off our shoulders.”
“It was no problem, ma’am. I was happy to help my dude out.” His gaze flicked to Star, but he didn’t speak to him, knowing he was working. “You know I’ve got both of your backs now, so tell me what you need and I’ll try to help.”
I took a few minutes to fill him in on what was happening with New Beginnings and the sleep-out event. “We shared flyers at tent city, but I was hoping you’d stop in tomorrow night and talk with some of the people there.”
“That’s an easy ask,” Dawson agreed. “To what end?”
“To make it real and bring it home to the council members that we need to get New Beginnings open yesterday. If we don’t do something soon, the implications of this delay will have a massive ripple effect that I’m not sure we can come back from.”
“I’ll be there,” Dawson said with a nod. “Are there services for my buddies?”
“Yes,” Hazel said, jumping in. “We’ll have hot showers and haircuts available. We’ll also have grab bags, food, hot coffee, and contact information for other services.”
With a head nod, Dawson smiled. “I’ll let people know. The more people in my situation who show up, the more real it will feel to people who aren’t used to seeing this area’s housing insecure all in one place. All I ask is, if anyone comes and helps you out, that you consider their application first for housing.”
“Done,” I said, shaking his hand. “You know we’re prioritizing veterans with disabilities, veterans, and young adults for New Beginnings. We don’t have a lot of applications for veterans, so please, encourage others to apply. We will get this building open.”
After chatting for a few more minutes, we took our leave, heading back to the front door. “Oh, look,” Hazel said, stopping next to a sign on the bulletin board near the door. “They’re having a poetry slam here next Tuesday night.”
“A poetry slam?” I asked, turning my chair to read the poster. “Huh. I didn’t know poetry was a big thing in Bells Pass.”
“Maybe they think a poetry slam will change that,” she said. “I used to go to them in Sarasota and they’re a blast. There’s no stuffy poetry being recited at these events. It’s a lot of original, off the cuff, and emotional poems told by the original writer. I always had a great time.”
“Would you like to go?” I asked, my gaze holding hers. “Together, I mean? We could listen to some poetry and then hit the diner for dinner afterwards before the busyness of the end of the week hits.”
Hazel turned and squeezed my shoulder. “I’d love to. Consider it a date,” she said with a wink before she held the door open and I rolled through with a giant smile.
A date with Hazel Cane. The old Irving would never let that happen, but the new Irving—the Irving I’ve become since I met Hazel—wasn’t afraid to take her out on a date. What blew my mind was that shewantedto go out with me. She wasn’t going out with me out of pity or obligation. Hazel wanted to spend the evening with me and wanted to be seen in public with me.
A few months ago, I would never believe that was possible. Then Hazel came along and dug in, insisting that she wanted to be in my life in some capacity, whether friends or more. For the first time in my life, as I started the SUV and pulled away from the library, I wanted it to be more.
∞∞∞
The big night had finally arrived! After snowing on and off all day yesterday, the skies cleared off and brought in some chillier air for tonight. Earlier this morning, Irving had his stitches removed and we picked up all of the shower supplies from the gym. That was just the beginning of our day. The rest was spent organizing and preparing all the moving parts required to make this event happen, but seeing it in action made the long day worth it. Thanks to the Bells Pass city crew, the firepits were up and running to keep our guests warm as they watched the family movie or chatted with other guests. Indigo had set up the coffee, eggnog, and hot chocolate station inside where people could get out of the weather for a few moments and use the restrooms.
I was surprised by the turnout considering the snow, but I loved that entire families had come out to support the cause. Irving was helping Gabe with the housing insecure and veterans who had come seeking services. As soon as we realized the need far outweighed what we’d been prepared for, we called in extra help and set up a station to call for rides to bigger shelters and offer as much help and guidance as possible.
Addie and Heather were busy in the salon, and the steady flow of people in and out finally made New Beginnings feel alive. I’d held many sleep-outs in Florida and didn’t get half the turnout in the warm weather that we did tonight in the cold. That was a testament to Bells Pass and its people.
Audrey had upheld her end of the bargain and got five out of the six council members here. Mayor Tottle, his wife, Cynthia, and the entire housing board had also spread out across the event to help where needed. Cameron was handling the tours of mine and Irving’s apartment as well as the completed units on the second floor. It gave everyone a feel for the amenities while reassuring them that they weren’t exorbitant or outlandish. I would check in with Cam and ensure the two board members that we needed to flip to the yay column had a full tour before the night was over.
