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We three voice our agreement, and then Jerry says, “I reckon we have about ten minutes to go in here. Yeah, Landon? Clara’s done with the windowsills, so you and me just have to meet at this last corner?”
“Yep,” I confirm.
“All right,” Bettie says. “Well, I’ll head to the kitchen and lend a hand if I need to. Y’all come on back when you get done so we can make a plan for tomorrow.”
She leaves, and we get this last bit done quickly. By the time we’ve dealt with our supplies and gotten to the kitchen, they’re done, too. I don’t work on Sundays, so I say I can come back anytime tomorrow. Jerry and Bettie are also available anytime, so we decide we can get another 8 AM start, and then another person or two can come over after church.
As I’m getting in my car to go home, too, I can’t help feeling accomplished.
It was a physically demanding day and we didn’t get everything painted, but I had such a good time. I feel honored to have been let into this project, because although I never knew a shelter like this existed until very recently, I’ve learned quickly that it’s a damn important place. Painting the walls really isn’t a big deal, but it’s something I did, and something is more than nothing. I feel good knowing I played a part in the reconstruction of a safe haven for suffering people. I plan to donate food and stuff, too, when the time comes for women and children to move in.
I feel even better in my apartment building when I near Liv’s door and remember our conversation from last night.
Looking back, I don’t think she offered me actual advice about Lolly, but she wasthere.She listened to me, commiserated with me—and she distracted me when I needed her to. She got me to tell her what happened, but she didn’t let me wallow in misery the entire time, and I appreciated that. I’d tried all day not to wallow, but I hadn’t been successful; only with her help had I managed to get my head above the worst of it.
And it just got better from there, because not only did she explain the sudden rift between us, she also helped me bridge it. I could tell she was struggling with herself, but she pushed through and decided not to go back to being distant with me.
God, it made me happy.
Her laughing with me, fixing me that food, and suggesting going to the park lifted my spirits into the sky.
I realize I’m stopped in front of her door and staring at it.
I get the urge to knock. See how she and Rae are doing. See if the kid is feeling better, see if either of them needs me to do anything.
But Liv and I made up only last night, and I need to shower because my work shift starts sooner than I’d like. So I go home and shoot her a text instead:
Afternoon, Liv! Just seeing how you and Rae are doing! Y’all need anything? Soup or something?
I pull off my paint-spattered clothes and toss them aside. I’ll wear them again tomorrow. After I’ve grabbed fresh clothes for work and started warming up my shower, I check my phone.
LIV-ANDRIA:Hey, there. We’re actually doing great and we don’t need anything, but thank you. Rae is feeling a lot better, and I’m happy because my job called to say I don’t owe a coworker a shift pick-up like I thought. Could’ve used the extra bit of money, but I really didn’t know how I was going to fit it into my schedule, so. :) Relieved I don’t have to worry about it anymore. How are you?
ME:Aw, yeah, that sucks about the extra money, but still a nice surprise! And I’m so good today. So much better than yesterday. I have to go to work in a bit, but I did some volunteer stuff today and it rocked
LIV-ANDRIA:Really? Great! What kind of volunteering?
I tell her about it, unable to keep from getting excited all over again. In fact, after I send the message, I notice just how long it is. Freaking wall of text.
Before I can decide if I should apologize, make a joke, or neither, she messages back.
Two times.
Threetimes.
LIV-ANDRIA:Landon, that is absolutely amazing. Wow. AMAZING.
LIV-ANDRIA:I’m so happy you took the time to do that. Those kinds of places are so necessary and they can really save lives.
LIV-ANDRIA:I’m really proud of you.
I read over the texts twice, actually shocked by how they’re making me feel. I didn’t figure she’d think volunteering was stupid, but I didn’t expect her to beproudof me for it, either. But now that she has said she is, I…I’m…
…thrilled.
Warm-skinned and quick-pulsed and light-footed as I start pacing around the bathroom, my thumbs hovering over the keyboard on my phone, my thoughts suddenly a jumble.
For some reason, I don’t know what to say back.
