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ONE
Lucy
“Are you headed out?”Scarlett asks me as I dig through my bag to make sure I have everything. Hand sanitizer, snacks, wet wipes, a water bottle, chapstick… I just need one more thing.
Where’s that little devil…
“Ah-ha!” I exclaim as I grab the keychain with an adorable red stuffed devil on it. “Yeah, I’m meeting June,” I tell my friend, showing her the cute keychain. “What do you think?”
“She’s going to love it!” I smile, looking down at the big, dopey eyes and lopsided grin. It’s perfect for June. “Have fun!” Scarlett says as I throw my bag over my shoulder and walk toward the front door.
It’s a short drive over to the community center where the Big Brothers Big Sisters program is located. I’ve been volunteering with them ever since I moved to Tennessee with Scarlett a few years ago. It’s something I’ve always wanted to d, but never had the confidence until I finally found some stable footing of my own.
As someone who grew up in the foster care system, I know from personal experience that love can be hard to come by. Not all of the kids here are in foster care, but most of them come from rough home situations, whether it’s a parent in prison, a single mom who can’t make ends meet, or substance abuse.
Whatever the reason, the kids enrolled in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program need a safe place and a safe adult to hang out with once or twice a week. It’s fulfilling and healing to be a Big Sister to kids dealing with similar things I was at their age. That’s not to say I haven’t had my doubts and awkward moments, but I always try to think of what I needed to hear growing up and the friend I needed but never found.
Aside from a few intimidating foster fathers and one foster mom who had a habit of locking us up in our rooms, I lucked out. Still, even in the best foster family I stayed with, I knew I didn’t belong. Their home was always going to just be a pitstop in my endless journey to find somewhere safe to land. I hope I can be a safe place for the kids I volunteer with, a harbor in the chaotic storm they’ve been born into.
I pull into the parking lot, all of my thoughts flying away as soon as my eyes land on June and her pale brown hair. She’s the sweetest girl and always has a big, toothy grin for me. I smile at her, returning her enthusiastic wave. Her mom is next to her, dressed in scrubs. She must be headed to work after this.
June and I were just assigned to each other last year and we became fast friends. She’s an adorable kid with the best sense of humor. June also loves collecting weird and eccentric trinkets from thrift stores and gas stations, hence the devil keychain I can’t wait to give her.
Hopping out of my car, I grab my bag and lock up, following the two of them inside. I see Brenda, June’s mother, checking her in and dropping her off in the designated room. She spins around when she spots me, giving me a relieved, if not a bit frazzled, smile.
“Hey! I just dropped her off. I’m running late to work,” she tells me, her blue eyes showing just how exhausted she is. “Last minute shift, and you know I can’t pass up on those.” I nod, leaning in to give her a quick hug. My heart hurts for her. I wish I could do more to help her out, but I know she’s grateful for the time I spend with her daughter. “What are two going to do today?” she asks.
“I thought we would head over to the ceramics place and paint for a few hours.”
“That sounds fun. I hate to ask this, but if you’re up for keeping her longer, that would be a huge help.” Once again, her eyes show me just how desperate she is. Brenda doesn’t often ask me for favors like this, and I know she’d never take advantage of our relationship. Plus, I love June.
I smile, assuring her it’s not a problem. “Sure! I have a movie night with my friends tonight but she can come if she wants,” I offer.
“You’re a lifesaver, Lucy. I seriously don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Nonsense,” I tell her, resting my hand on her shoulder. “You’re an amazing mom, a hard worker, and a good person. You would have found a way to thrive with or without me.”
Her eyes glass over with unshed tears, and she nods, giving me a small smile. “I needed to hear that today,” she whispers.
“You can do this, mama,” I tell her before taking a step back. “Now, off to work! June is in good hands.”
“I know she is. Thanks again. I’ll see you later,” Brenda tells me, giving me one last hug. I wave as she walks out and jogs over to her car.
Brenda works as a dental hygienist and she takes on as many hours as she can get. She must be assisting with an emergency surgery today to have to work on a Saturday. She’s a single mom dealing with a chronic illness, and when she’s not working, she’s resting up or going to doctors appointments. Once a week, I get to babysit and hang out with June while Brenda either works, sleeps, or catches up on chores and all the other things that go into being a single parent.
I head inside the Big Brothers Big Sisters room, laughing when June throws herself into my arms. She’s on the smaller side as far as nine-year-olds go, so I have no problem lifting her up in a big bear hug.
“What have you been up to?” I ask as I set her down and turn to fill out the sign-out forms.
“We had a big test at school yesterday and I think I did pretty well,” June says.
“I’m sure you did. You’re so smart! Did you do anything fun this week?” I ask as I take her hand and lead her out of the building.
“I went to the park by our house with Noah. We took turns trying to see who could jump off the swing higher.”
“Yeah, and who won?”
“Me. Obviously.” I laugh when she rolls her eyes as if she’s offended I even had to ask.
