Page 101 of Fake it For Good
“Oh my!” Mrs. Drummond laughed when she came into the kitchen. “I didn’t realize how much I ordered.”
“You definitely have enough to feed an army.”
“Thank you so much for picking it up,” she said. “I just don’t know where the time went.”
“You’re welcome. I hung the keys for the van on the hook.”
We started unpacking the bags and stuffing the pantry and refrigerator. “This is truly amazing,” she said with a bright smile. “I think this is the first Christmas I wasn’t stressed about paying the taxes or making sure the kids had warm clothes. I can sit back and enjoy the season.”
“I’m so glad you can,” I said. “You deserve it. You have more than earned the chance to enjoy all your hard work.”
“I’ve got two volunteers coming in about thirty minutes to help with the cookies,” she said. “Don’t feel obligated to stay. You’ve been busting your butt here all month.”
“I like being here,” I said softly. “Besides, it’s not like I have anywhere to go. You guys are my family.”
“How is Cane?” she asked.
“Good,” I said without looking at her.
“I hope you’ll tell him thank you for his personal donation,” she said. “That’s what funded this little shopping spree.”
“His personal donation?” I asked.
“Yes, he sent over a personal check a couple of days ago,” she said with a bright smile. “There was a note inside. I thought you knew?”
“No, what did it say?”
“He said he was donating the money in your name,” she said with tears flashing in her eyes. “I always knew you were going to be the one to find true happiness. I’ve seen so many kids come and go over the years. I do as much as I can, but I know they are going to grow up and make their own choices. But you were different. You had an inner strength about you. I could never understand why no one else saw it. I used to tell my husband you were going to go on to do great things. I don’t say that about everyone. I’m just so sorry we never found you a family. You deserved it.”
I shrugged off the feelings that were stirred to life by her words. “It’s fine,” I said. “It made me stronger. That’s the plan, right?”
She smiled again. “I suppose it is. Anyway, thank you and Cane.”
“I didn’t do anything,” I said, laughing.
Before she could start asking me about Cane and the relationship that was not ever going to happen, I quickly changed the subject. “I’m going to find Benji,” I said. “He told me you guys got a box of books. Apparently, he’s found a couple he wants me to read.”
“Oh yes,” she groaned. “That child has been in those books since we opened the box a few days ago. Again, thank you so much. A retired teacher heard about the toy drive. She told me she’d been meaning to take the books to the Goodwill forever. When she heard about us, she called and asked if we would like them. They are mostly kindergarten and first-grade books. Benji has been in love.”
“That’s awesome!” I said and clapped my hands. “I can’t wait to see the goodies.”
I made my way to the playroom. One of the supervisors was in the corner helping a few of the kids with their Christmas crafts. I waved at her and went to Benji, who was sitting on the floor with a few books spread around him. He was such a sweet boy. He just made my heart smile.
“Hi, Benji,” I said and sat down.
“Noelle!” He got up and immediately crawled into my lap. I wrapped my arms around him and gave him a big hug.
“Look at all these books!” I exclaimed.
“We got a new Curious George!” He put the book into my hand. “Will you read it to me please?”
“Oh, you know how much I love George,” I told him.
I started to read the book, making sure I used the proper voices. Benji was very particular about how his stories were read. If you didn’t do it right, he demanded it be repeated until it was right. Mrs. Drummond had nearly kicked my ass after a long night. She didn’t know I had done a voice and didn’t understand what Benji was asking for.
After reading a few books, I had to pry myself away from Benji to share my time with all the kids. Another boy was pouting in front of the TV. I sat down next to him. “Can I play?” I asked.
“If you want?”
