We stand there for a long time, just holding each other, and in that quiet, peaceful moment, I know that we’ve made the right choice. We’re home.
27
GRACE
There’s a quiet hum in the air as I sit in the little office Theo set up in the house for me, the soft sound of the old clock ticking in the background.
It’s not much—just a small room with faded yellow walls, a desk piled high with papers, and a window that overlooks the garden.
I’ve always believed that you don’t need much space to make a difference, and today, as I sift through the paperwork, I can feel it.
Each phone call, every email I send, every little detail that gets sorted, it’s all adding up.
We’re close. We’re so close to finally opening our doors to the people who need it most.
I glance down at the list I’ve been working on for the last few days. It’s a list of supplies, contractors, and, most importantly, donors.
I’ve been making call after call, trying to secure as much funding as I can.
There’s always something—construction delays, supply shortages, budget gaps. The work never stops, but it’s worth it.
This is what I’ve always wanted to do, what I’ve always believed in: helping those who need it most.
But even as I dive into my work, a part of me keeps drifting away, thinking about Theo.
I smile to myself just thinking about him. He’s been nothing but a rock since we got here. Since I moved into his house, actually.
Every day, I feel more drawn to him, more captivated by how he looks at me, talks to me, and protects me. I don’t think I’ve ever felt as safe as I do when I’m with him. It’s a strange thing, this feeling of being cared for so deeply.
I’m used to taking care of myself and handling things independently, but with Theo, I don’t have to. And somehow, that makes me want him even more.
I pick up the phone, dialing a number from my list of potential donors. As the ring echoes in my ear, I lean back in my chair, watching the way the sunlight filters through the window, casting a soft glow over the room.
I can hear Theo’s voice in my head, reminding me how much I’ve achieved already, telling me how proud he is of me. He says it all the time. He believes in me. And most importantly, in this dream of mine.
The phone clicks, and a voice on the other end answers.
“Hello?”
“Hi, this is Grace Simmons. I’m calling from the Hope Shelter. I wanted to talk to you about a possible donation to help us get up and running.”
I launch into my pitch, carefully explaining what we’re doing, how we plan to offer resources to those in need, and how we’ll provide a safe space for people who are at risk of homelessness.
As I talk, I’m aware of the way my words sound and the passion behind them. I know that I believe in this project, andI’m doing my best to show the person on the other end of the line why they should care, too.
After a few moments, the voice on the other end pauses.
“That sounds like a great cause, Grace. I’ll talk to my team and get back to you. What’s your deadline?”
“End of the month,” I say. “I know it’s tight, but we’re so close to opening, and any help would make a huge difference.”
“Alright. I’ll see what I can do.”
I let out a quiet sigh of relief as I hang up the phone, feeling a little weight lift off my shoulders. It’s not a huge win, but it’s a step in the right direction. And that’s all I can ask for right now.
As I sit there for a moment, staring at the list again, my mind drifts back to Theo. His face, his eyes, the way he looks at me like I’m the most important thing in the world.
Sometimes, I still can’t believe this is my life.