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“Oh, right. No big deal. I was going to see if you wanted to take in a movie or something. I went with a co-worker instead.”
Lily felt much better hearing she hadn’t sat around by herself all evening. “Good. If you don’t have plans, I’m working at the shelter until around two today and then hitting the farmer’s market. Want to meet me and grab a brat and corn on the cob?” The food truck that parked in the large downtown lot while the local farmers sold their produce and homemade goods did a booming business, their German brats the best Lily had ever tasted.
She paused before saying, “Sure, I’d like that. Haven’t been by there in ages.”
“I’ll text you when I leave the shelter.”
Lily reached into the back seat for the bags of clothing donations she’d picked up at Goodwill and entered the shelter, always saddened by the number of people in dire circumstances. Most of the homeless suffered from mental disorders, and the shelter’s psychologist tried to counsel them, but they were the hardest people to help. Tables now replaced the cots set up for overnight stays, and she could smell lunch from the kitchen in the rear of the building as she paused on her way back to visit with a few regulars she’d gotten to know well.
Janie Lightfoot, a young widow with four-year-old twin boys, rushed up to her, holding a hand of each toddler and wearing a wide smile. “I got the job at the temp agency – thank you so much! It was your call that did it.”
The little Janie and her husband had when he died last year had gone fast, and the small family ended up at the shelter during the holidays. Tears of gratitude shone in Janie’s eyes, her lips trembling as she said, “We can move into the apartment in a few days, and I’ll start paying you back for the deposit and first month’s rent when I get paid. I’m so appreciative for your generosity.”
They would be cramped in the studio apartment within walking distance of the bus stop until something larger opened up, but it got them off the street, and that’s what mattered most right now. “Don’t worry about paying me back. The daycare called for my reference, so I know the boys have been accepted for a year free. I’m happy for you.”
Unfortunately, there weren’t enough success stories, Lily thought, making her way to the kitchen. She handed the clothes to another volunteer then pushed through the swinging door to see Trina’s teenage daughters filling buffet bins with food at the stoves.
“Hey, girls, good to see you helping out again.”
“Hi, Ms. Regan,” they chimed together without stopping their work.
“Gotta keep them out of trouble,” Trina stated, turning from the oversized refrigerator with an armful of bagged salads. She halted and took a closer look that Lily tried to avoid. Padding over to her, a slow grin spread across Trina’s face. “What did you do last night?”
Thank goodness she whispered the inquiry so no one else in the kitchen heard. “Am I that obvious?” she asked, taking a few of the bags from her then striding to the end of the buffet.
“Tell me obvious about what, and I’ll let you know.”
Opening bags, they loaded the large salad bin as Lily pondered her answer then said, “I saw Reed again last night, and that’s all I’m saying today.”
Trina chuckled. “Enough said. You can give me details when we leave.”
“I’m meeting Delia at the farmer’s market, and I don’t think your girls want to spend the rest of their day there.” Now she was glad she’d made plans with Delia. She didn’t want to discuss Reed with anyone else until she figured out why the man she hadn’t given more than a fond passing thought to since meeting him all of sudden drew her like a magnet.
“No, and neither hesitated to come today, so I won’t ask. Tomorrow, then. I didn’t think you were chummy with your pharmacist.”
Lily didn’t know what had motivated Delia’s interest in getting better acquainted since John died, but she liked her and sensed she could use a friend. She shrugged, picking up the tongs to toss the salad. “We’re not, really. She’s asked to hang out a few times, is all, and I have time today.”
Trina patted her arm. “I’ve said it before, and likely will again. You’re a nice person.”
She thought of Pam, and her refusal to mend that fence. “Not always.”
Working at the shelter could be a mental and physical strain some days, but with fewer people in need this week and Janie’s job offer, today was not one of those days. Lily hung around a little longer than usual to help hand out the large intake of summer clothes dropped off over the past few weeks, sending Delia a text as she walked to her vehicle when she finished.
See you there,Delia returned and Lily spotted her easily enough by the food truck ten minutes later. It felt good being outside on such a sunny, warm afternoon, the slight breeze wafting across her skin reminding her of Reed’s soft breath on her sensitive neck, his whisper against her lips. She sighed, wishing she could figure out why her reaction to him was so strong when other men just as appealing drew no response.
Delia greeted her with a speculative look. “Hi. Is something wrong?”
Lily cursed her expressive face. “No, why?”
“Your face is flushed, or the sun is getting to you already.”
“The bane of fair skin, yet I love the outdoors during the warmer months. I’m starving. Ready to order?” She gestured toward the menu displayed on the side of the neon-blue truck as they got in the line to the serving window.
“I waited on lunch after you called. I guess the food at the shelter is gross, huh?” Delia wrinkled her nose.
“Not at all,” Lily denied, thinking of the early morning hours the volunteer cooks put in, herself included sometimes. “We bake chicken tenders by the dozens, make hamburgers and gravy and mashed potatoes. The vegetables are canned and the salad bagged, but the proteins are fresh. But we never know how many will show up, and I don’t want to take from anyone whose only decent meal is at the shelter.”
Delia turned her back to Lily as they stepped up to the window, mumbling, “That’s thoughtful.”
