Chapter 3
Valerie smiled as she walked through the automatic doors and into the reception area of the shelter.
A pretty young woman was standing on a chair as she taped red, pink and white hearts to the windows and walls. “This looks great! I especially like the white lacy looking edging.”
“Thank you! Mrs. Avaleigh brought in the decorations and I just couldn’t help but put them up. It brightens everything up, I think.”
“It really does. Could you use some help?”
“That’d be great! I’ll go grab the rest of the decorations.
” She smiled at Valerie, then started for the door that was used to buzz people in and out of the back offices.
“I didn’t know you were volunteering today.
I didn’t see anyone but Mrs. Avaleigh on the schedule.
I hope I’m not keeping you from anything else,” she said, not waiting for an answer before unlocking the door and disappearing through it.
“Not at all,” Valerie said, and waited for Giada to come back, but just when she saw her heading back toward the door, the phone rang. Giada darted back to the phone and answered it on the third ring.
Valerie walked over to the window and motioned for Giada to let her into the back.
Giada looked up from behind sliding windows that kept the receptionist separate from whoever might come in, if she felt she needed to be, and nodded.
She pressed the button to buzz Valerie in, as she continued talking to the person on the phone about their hours and the services they offered.
When she finished the call she looked up at Valerie now standing beside her desk.
“I’m sorry, didn’t mean to leave you out there.
I was coming to get the rest of the decorations and got sidetracked. ”
“No problem at all. I’m going to go put my purse and coat in the back office,” Valerie said.
“No problem,” Giada said. “You know where everything is.”
Valerie came back out to Giada’s desk and smiled at her. “You ready for some help with the rest of those hearts?”
“Are you sure you have time?”
“Oh, yeah. I just came by to see if Avaleigh might need some help. I thought I remembered her volunteering in the kitchen today, and decided I’d offer a hand.”
“Yes, ma’am. She got here early today and is already elbows deep.”
“Well, let’s get these up and I’ll go help her when I’m done.” Valerie said.
“Thank you! I could really use your help putting this banner up and all these balloons!” Giada said, lifting two huge lawn and leaf bags full of already blown up balloons off the floor.
“I’m up for it!” Valerie said. She helped carry the rest of the decorations out into the reception area and they got down to business, taping everything that could be taped to any surface it would stick to.
A banner announcing that Valentine’s Day had arrived with hearts and butterflies on it was draped across the top of the frame holding the reception window in place.
Red, white, and pink balloons were taped to every surface possible and streamers and long curling ribbons were cascading from anything they could be tied to.
“That’ll do it!” Giada said, taking a step back and looking at their handiwork.
“It’ll cheer up anybody that comes in here.”
“I think so.”
“You know, Giada… I have to tell you, I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about you and your work. Everyone here is very impressed with you.”
“Thank you so much! I’m really liking the work. So much so that it’s not really even like I’m working. I look forward to coming in every day. I feel very fortunate to be here.”
“Well, we’re fortunate to have you.”
“I appreciate that, Mrs. Valerie,” Giada said.
“It’s quiet today,” Valerie commented.
“It is. Everyone that’s come in is either in the cafeteria, or they’re watching T.V.
. And my own boys have been captivated with one of the video games in the playroom lately.
You won’t hear from them until their stomachs rumble long enough for them to figure out they’re hungry,” Giada said with a laugh.
“They’re young for a video game, aren’t they? I still can’t figure them out, and I’ve raised three to adulthood! They all liked those video games.”
“It’s crazy how young they start playing them. Mine struggled with a couple of them, but there was a young man in here the other day who showed them how to play the one they’re currently obsessed with. It’s a Disney game, though, so it’s at least age appropriate. And they love it.”
“How old are they, if you don’t mind me asking?” Valerie said.
“Leo is seven, and Matteo is six.”
“Oh, they’re still on break from school. If they’re anything like my oldest, they’re already mad about having to go back,” Valerie said laughingly.
“I don’t think Leo would be my ‘loves school’ son.
He’s not been away from me very much. Matteo, he’d probably hit the ground running and have the entire class following his orders in a matter of days.
But honestly, they’re not yet registered in school right now, and I’m toying with the idea of continuing to try to home-school them myself as long as I can. ”
“Did they go to school where you used to live?” Valerie asked.
Giada shook her head, and smiled, but that smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “No, they’ve never been to school. I know they both should have been enrolled by now, but it wasn’t really a possibility, so I do what I can to try to teach them the skills I know they should be learning in school.”
“Oh, well, sometimes things happen and make the standard expectations not quite possible.”
“To say the least,” Giada said.
Valerie thought that was all she was going to say about it, but was pleasantly surprised when Giada volunteered more information.
“We were homeless for a while, and it was really tough. I thought about putting Leo in school at the time, at least he’d have a place to be with other kids during the day, and get lunch and breakfast and snack.
But weighing the risks against the positives, perhaps it was selfish of me, but I just couldn’t make myself do it.
I did teach him his letters and numbers, and his colors and shapes and all.
I taught him all his sight words, and he knows how to read — very well actually.
He knows basic math, one and one equals two and if you have two and take away one it equals one, and the simpler concepts of math.
So, I’m pretty sure he’s not behind, at least not too far.
And I’ve taught him history; we watch documentaries on the History Channel here on my off days, and while they do like cartoons and kids’ movies, I try to put on the Discovery Channel and nature channels, too, to teach them science and nature things while I’m busy.
But we make it a point to study a little of everything.
And Matteo, he knows all the same basics as Leo.
It was actually easier to teach Matteo than Leo because he wanted to do all the things Leo was doing.
I think they’d both be okay to start in their true grades based on their ages, but I really don’t know if I’m ready to enroll them or continue to do it myself. ”
As Valerie started to comment, Giada surprised her yet again with her next revelation.
“It’d probably be smarter to just continue teaching them myself.
Definitely safer,” she added as an afterthought, not quite realizing she was speaking that last part out loud.
Her attention snapped up to Valerie standing beside her and she seemed rattled that she’d revealed so much.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have rambled on Iike that. ”
“Don’t apologize, Giada. Just know that whatever you’re facing, whatever it is that makes you think keeping your babies home rather than school would make them safer…
isn’t going to touch you or them. Our families are very protective of our own, and you and your boys have become part of our lives and part of our facility here.
We won’t tolerate anything threatening you or them. ”
Giada smiled, but it was strained. “I appreciate that. But we’re fine. I’m just so used to being all they have that I’ve become suspicious of everything.”
“I get it. But just know, you’re not alone.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Valerie.”
“You’re welcome. Now, I better get in there before Avaleigh has everything done before I can pitch in.”
Giada smiled again and nodded as Valerie left the reception area to make her way toward the cafeteria.
“Lord, please help me keep my babies safe,” she whispered, sending up a prayer to the powers that be.
In the hallway just a few feet past the reception area, Valerie paused when she heard Giada’s whispered prayer.
Right then and there, she made a silent prayer to herself, that no matter what this woman was facing, she would not face it alone.
Valerie would stand with her whether she accepted Ronan or not.
Any woman fighting for the safety of her children deserved to stand with support, and Valerie would be that support.
~~~
“Mr. McCullen, I have to be honest. While we’d be thrilled to have you join our program, there’s just not time to have your official transcripts and all supporting documentation transferred to us from your current university.
You’re only talking about two and a half weeks before the start of the new semester, and quite honestly, you haven’t even applied to this college yet.
Most all of our students are registered, classes confirmed, their finances in order, and educational materials purchased.
They’re just waiting for the first day.”