Page 37 of Off the Mark
“That guy called us ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ This fake dating thing just became official.”
11
ROWAN
“What do you think?” I asked, tipping an open cardboard box towards Midge.
She peered in and beamed at me. “It’s exactly what we need. Where did you get this much food for the Lavender Center on such short notice?”
I propped my hands on my hips. “I honestly don’t know. I got to work early this morning just as a delivery guy from the Acme was showing up with all these breakfast kit boxes. Handed me a card but it’s back in the office somewhere. He said I had asecret admirer. But it’s probably a donated delivery we forgot about.”
It’d been a surprising start to the day, but I wasn’t complaining about all the extra. And the donation was quality—fresh fruit, milk and orange juice, cereal and oatmeal.
I’d known just who to call.
Maria reached for my wrist. “It means a lot, Rowan.”
I hefted in two more boxes, then shut her trunk. “The senior food program is forallthe elders in South Philly. When they need more, I’ll get more. Or I can send Dean over during one of his big drop-offs.”
Midge studied me closely. “And you’re sure you can spare it? Dean said things have been a little tight, with Elaine being out and all.”
I waved off her concern, even as a chorus of voices in my head were panic-shouting. “We’re figuring it out, day by day. Yeah, it’s a bit more chaotic than usual, but that doesn’t mean we would ever stop supporting folks at the Lavender Center.”
Maria’s finger’s tensed around my wrist. “You do look rather tired.”
“I do? Because Ifeelspectacular.”
“You look exhausted, sweetheart,” Midge added. “You need more sleep.”
“I’m sleeping like a baby. Promise.”
“Do you want me to bring you dinner tonight? I can make that pot roast you love, and you can freeze it for later in the week?”
I hid a smile but nodded. Dean and I learned years ago that once both his mothers decided you looked tired, hungry, or both, it was best just to submit.
Also, no one in their right mind would turn down dinner cooked by the two women in front of me, who appeared to be ordinary by day and were culinary geniuses by night.
“Actually, that would be great,” I replied. “Bring extra and I’ll take it to Alice, okay?”
“By all means, the more the merrier,” Midge said, rubbing her hands together.
I slipped back into the side room to pick up the two remaining boxes from the mystery donor. Dean’s moms had swung by last month to talk about starting up regular food drop-offs for a group of seniors at the Lavender Center who didn’t have enough to eat at home. Food insecurity rates were high all over Philly, but especially so for elderly folks in this neighborhood. It was why I’d pulled in Dean, with Eddie’s help, to run a food program specifically for that population.
The Lavender Center ran a variety of programs for LGBTQ+ kids, teens, and adults. When we were in school, Dean had gone to a support group for queer kids, queer families, and their allies. Raised by two gay women, Dean had needed a place to talk about the bullying he experienced, and I’d always gone along with him.
It was an extra special place for him and Tabitha. She’d gone to the same groups for support after she came out as bisexual in high school.
I hoisted the boxes onto my non-injured shoulder and walked them to Midge and Maria, sliding them into the backseat. Stepping back, I brushed my hands together. “That should be it. And when folks need more, or if they need different, you know where to find me.”
Maria fussed over the wrinkles in my shirt, clucking her tongue. “This executive director title looks wonderful on you, Rowan. They made the right choice.”
I rubbed the back of my head. “Nah, I’m the temporary solution. I think my leadership days are over.”
“You wouldn’t want to take over for Elaine?” Midge asked.
“Elaine’s job is demanding,” I said. “The board will want to hire someone who has more training, I’m sure. Definitely not a guy who used to make it his job to skip math class every damn day.”
At their expressions, I pointed two fingers at them both. “Donottell my grandmother that.”
