Page 20 of Moonlit Kisses

We head back to the kitchen and Rhonda shows me where the stock is so that I can ensure the tea and coffee counter is well stocked. Women and children begin to trickle in, and I introduce myself over the course of the evening.

Tonight’s dinner is roast beef and vegetables, followed by chocolate pudding and custard, served buffet style. I learn Rhonda keeps the kitchen open until nine p.m. to ensure any late stragglers don’t go to bed on an empty stomach. Even if women miss out on a bed for the night, they’re encouraged to stay for a meal. The last place I volunteered closed the kitchen at seven thirty and too bad if you came in late.

After dinner, I help Rhonda with the cleanup. Around ten, things have grown quiet. “We close the doors at ten. So, the women need to get here before then, or they don’t get a bed for the night. Often the beds fill by six thirty, anyway. It would be incredibly rare to still have a space available this late.”

“Ah, there she is. I see Rhonda kept you busy for the entire evening.” Simone breezes into the dining room a few minutes after ten. “How was your first day on the job?”

I blow out a tired but happy breath. After the busyness of today and then again tonight, I’m dead on my feet, but I feel amazing. “It was great. The women certainly appreciated the nutritious meal and a chance to sit and relax without having to watch over their shoulder.”

Simone nods. “Yep. This is a safe place where they can let their guard down.” She claps her hands together. “We close the doors at ten. We don’t expect you to stay past that time. When do you think you’d like to come back?”

“Oh, uhm, maybe on Tuesday? Would it be okay if I volunteered on Tuesdays and Thursdays to start out?” I shuffle on my feet, hopeful they’ll be happy to have me.

“Absolutely. That’ll be fantastic. You go home and get some rest and we’ll see you on Tuesday.”

A warm feeling fills my tummy, and I can’t stop my smile. I’ve been in this city for less than a week and I have a job and now I have a place where I can give back to the community. Life’s looking pretty great. Stepping toward Simone, I wrap my arms around her. I hope she doesn’t mind, but I’m incredibly thankful for this opportunity. I need to hug her.

Simone chuckles. “It’s like you’re already part of the family. Right, Rhonda?”

My eyes sting and the lump in my throat feels more like a boulder at her use of the word ‘family’. I guess I didn’t realize how much I loved and needed my family until they were gone. I duck my head to hide the tears I’m fighting to keep at bay. “Thank you.” I step over to Rhonda and embrace her too.

“It’s been heaps of fun working with you. Thanks for being patient with me and showing me the ropes. Next week, I’ll be an expert from the time I walk in the door.”

Rhonda chuckles. “It was my pleasure. You’re an easy study. I’ll see you on Tuesday.”

I grab my things, and Simone walks me out. “Where did you park your car?”

“Just across the street.” I point in the direction I parked.

“When you come on Tuesday, there’s parking around the back. Park out there, okay?” She points to a driveway at the side of the building, and I follow with my eyes.

What a relief to know I have a safer place to park my car in the future. “That’s great. I was a little concerned about leaving my car on the street.”

She nods. “Yeah. It’s not the greatest area, but it’s tough to find a building large enough to suit our needs at the right price. So, this is where we ended up.”

“Okay. Well, bye. Thanks for everything.”

“No. Thank you. It’s been a pleasure and we’ll see you on Tuesday.”

I head down the steps as Simone locks the doors behind me. Even though I’m completely exhausted, I know I’ve got a pep in my step and a smile on my face. It’s been a great day. First, helping Max to help the single parents and then tonight, helping all the women who will spend tonight atShelter.

I pause, looking up at the night sky. Tears sting the back of my eyes and I swallow past the lump in my throat. “It’s such a great place, Mom. You’d love it here.” A breeze blows a lock of hair across my forehead, and it reminds me of the times Mom would gently push my bangs out of my eyes as a child. The tears become too much to contain and fall at the memory. I scurry to my car, locking myself inside so I can have my moment in safety.

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