Page 4 of Fake it For Good
“Snack time,” she called out. “Everyone clean up and we’ll go to the dining room.”
I helped tidy the rec room and watched them follow out two of the other assistants. Mrs. Drummond approached with a smile. “Thank you so much for coming today,” she said.
“How’s Hailey doing?” I asked.
“She slept through the night last night,” she answered. “I have a young couple from upstate that wants to come and meet her. They’ve been on our waiting list for a long time. I think Hailey is going to fit into their family just perfectly.”
“Good,” I said with relief. “She’s such a good girl. I will miss her, but I’m glad she’s already got a potential family.”
“Did she tell you about her math test?”
“She did,” I said, grinning.
“She wanted to call you yesterday,” she said, laughing. “I told her we would see you today. You make such a big difference in the lives of these kids. I feel so blessed to have you. I just wish I could pay you.”
“No,” I said. “I wouldn’t take your money. You keep doing what you do, and I’ll be here to support you in any way I can.”
“I appreciate that. I know the kids do.”
“Are you guys going to be putting up the tree this week?” I asked.
“Yes! We have a special craft session planned for this evening. We’re going to do the stringed popcorn and some good old-fashion paperchains.”
I smiled at the fond memory of making such things when I was a little girl. “I’m still working on getting some extra gifts coming your way. I’m not giving up.”
“I’ve got requests out to every organization as well,” she said with a sigh. “It just seems like the need increases every year.”
I touched her arm. “And you have always delivered every year. No matter what happens, the kids are happy, healthy, and you will make Christmas special for them, regardless how many gifts are under that tree on Christmas morning.”
“I try,” she said. “I do try.”
“I’m not giving up,” I promised. “Something will come through. I just know it.”
“Will we see you again this week?” she asked.
“I’m going to try and get over here again this week,” I promised. “I have a couple of small jobs I’m doing for the charity and I’m cleaning a house.”
“You work too hard,” she chided.
“My job is not hard,” I said, laughing. “I love what I do.”
“Take care and stay warm.”
I grabbed my coat and left the large house that had been converted into an orphanage. Mrs. Drummond and her father had started the home some thirty years ago. He had since passed away, but she was keeping up the home that was so desperately needed. She didn’t make any money doing it. It was a labor of love, which was why she was so special.
On my way to the subway, I got a call from Marie inviting me to lunch. I was hungry. It had been a busy day and eating was always one of those things that seemed to get forgotten. One would think with as little as I ate, I would be a beanpole. That was not the case. I was a curvy girl, and no matter how many miles I walked a day, my ass was still big and round. In the grand scheme of things, it was really the least of my worries.
“Were you at the orphanage?” Marie asked when I sat down.
“Yep,” I said.
“How are the kids?”
“Good. Healing. Happy. Sad. You know.”
“Has Mrs. Drummond got any Christmas grants yet?” she asked.
“No,” I said, sighing. “I’ve got applications out everywhere. I’m beginning to think it’s not going to happen. She’s tapped out. I need to make more money. I put an ad on Craigslist in the hopes I can pick up a couple of extra cleaning jobs.”
