by A. Gorman
“He’s in the CCU at University of Nevada Reno Hospital. I’m staying with him right now. He’s still unconscious, but all of the tests show that he still has brain activity so that’s good.”
“Okay, if anything else happens, let me know. I can’t leave work right now,” I lie. I don’t want to be in the same room as the man, unconscious or not.
“Are you sure?” she says in between sniffles.
“Yes, but if you need anything call me okay. I’ll have my phone on me.” I feel a little guilty for lying.
“Alright, Patrick. I love you.”
“I love you too, sis,” I say truthfully.
I press end button, and I hope that I don’t have to make an appearance at the hospital anytime soon.
The center is bustling with activity when I pull into the parking lot. Today is our community celebration, and it’s drawing the attention of the media and city officials because we are receiving a grant from CU Gold Company. The center director and I applied for it over six months ago, and we were afraid that we didn’t get the grant until the company contacted us a few weeks ago. The celebration is the perfect opportunity to accept the grant for the community.
This morning I put in a little more effort in choosing my attire, a light blue skirt business suit with a white blouse, because I have a feeling that my boss Kelly Lui will have me be the one in front of the camera accepting the check. I want to make sure I make a good impression for the center.
As I walk to the entrance, I see Victor decorating the entrance with brightly colored balloons and streamers in various hues of orange and yellow.
“Good morning, Victor,” I say with a big smile.
“Hey, Emily. It’s a mad house in there. Kelly is running around, going crazy. Maybe once she sees you’re here she’ll calm down,” he says with a chuckle.
“She’s here?” She normally doesn’t arrive until eight or eight thirty. Some days it’s nine in the morning. She stays later in the evening, though.
“Yes, and so is most of the office staff.”
“Sounds like I might want to get in there. Talk to you later.”
“Good luck.” He shakes his head as he laughs.
I hurry through the open entrance doors and pick up my pace to the main office, and I hope I didn’t miss a memo stating I needed to be here earlier. The office door is closed, and I peek in the glass before I make it to the door, seeing Kelly pacing.
“Good morning, everyone,” I say as I walk in the door and head to my office.
“Emily! Great, you’re here,” she says as she pulls me in the opposite direction to her office.
“Um, was I supposed to be here earlier?” I say a little worried.
“No, but I was worried you wouldn’t be here,” the frazzled older lady rushes out.
“I wouldn’t miss today for anything…” The statement dies on the last word. They know the kind of week I’ve had, and they know that a few members of the military will be attending today. “I know how important today is. I’m glad to be here,” I say with a smile.
“Good. The presentation will be at eleven, after they present the check, you will need to do a small photo op and a short interview with the CBS affiliate.” Say what?
“Are you sure you don’t want to do it. What if I fumble with my words, what if I forget what to say? What if—”
“You’ll do just fine. I have faith in you. You’re the Community Outreach Director, and it’s time for all of Reno to meet you and know who you are.”
“Do I look okay? Oh my. I’m nervous.”
“You look delightful as usual. Just be yourself and everything will flow out naturally.”
“Thank you. That is kind of you to say.” I smile at her compliments.
“Just the truth. Emily. I’m going to get out there and make sure that everything is organized and set up for the community day. I’ll see you in a bit.” She rushes out of her office, leaving me behind.
I giggle and smile at her craziness as I head to my office to unlock the door, and as I open the door, the scent of Nate greets me. While going through his clothes on Monday, I decided I couldn’t part with his Navy sweatshirts, T-shirts, and sweats. I took most of them home, leaving a couple of each here. Kids can be messy at times and I end up wearing their creations. I smile at the thought and get to my morning routine—feeling off because I’m running behind. I turn on my computer and lock away my belongings, and I try not to think about today’s activities because I’ll make myself nervous thinking about everything. Ah. I’ll be on TV. I’d better call my mom.
Picking up my office phone, I quickly dial her number. She’s a transcriptionist so she doesn’t always answer the phone, but I don’t think she’s returned to work yet. I’m about to hang up the phone when I hear her say, “Hello.”
“Good morning, Mom. Did I wake you?”
“No, darling. I was out on the deck enjoying a cup of tea. I didn’t hear my phone ring until I came in to fix another cup. How’s your morning?”
“Good, I think. I’m going to be on TV.”
“Oh?” she says, wanting me to go on.
“The center is receiving a grant and Kelly wants me to do all the publicity shots.”
“That’s magnificent, Emily. I can’t wait to tell your—”She stops midsentence, breathless. “My friends,” she says, trying to recover.
“It’s okay, Mom. We can still talk to him,” I say as a lone tear falls down my cheek.
“He would be so proud of you, Em.”
“I hope so. Um, as soon as I know what time they will air the segment, I’ll text you.”
“That sounds good. Are you coming home tonight for the weekend?” she hesitantly asks.
“I can. I don’t have any plans,” I reply as I absent-mindedly organize my desk.
“Then we can watch your interview together, hopefully,” Mom replies, happiness returning in her voice.
“I’ll bring dinner. Think about what sounds good and when I text you later we can decide.”
“Okay, darling. I probably should let you go. I love you, Emily.”
“I love you too, Mom.” She ends the call, and I put down the phone and open my email to see what I can do before I need to head out to the celebration.
“Emily, it’s time,” Kelly shouts from the main office’s entrance. I look up at the clock on my wall and see it’s a quarter till eleven. The morning flew by with all the emails and phone calls that I needed to make. I’m rather bummed I didn’t get out to the celebration sooner.
“Coming, Kelly.” I grab my keys and head outside, meeting Kelly at the threshold of the office, and we walk toward the exit.
“It’s wild out there. I think there is triple the amount of people from last year. I don’t even know if we have enough food for the closing celebration.”
“Possibly send someone to get punch and cookies from the grocery up the road?” I stop, so we can quickly brainstorm before we are outside of the center.
“See, this is why I have you here. You think outside the box.” I smile at her. “I’ll send Victor. I think he would be able to get in and out of the store quickly.”
“Sounds like the perfect idea.” She nods at her statement, and we resumed walking.
We make it outside and the weather is spectacular. The sunny sky is clear and the temperature is in the low 80s, making it perfect to be outside. A bounce house with children lining up to bounce inside, games to win small little prizes, and picnic tables fill the grounds around the center. On the other side of the bounce house is a stark white canopy with a stage and camera tripods set up underneath it. I’m guessing that is where I need to go.
I walk under the canopy and wait for Kelly to place me where I she wants me. After five minutes of waiting, she comes under the canopy with three people I haven’t met before in tow.
“Emily, this is Patrick Matheson the CFO of CU Gold Company, and he will be presenting the center with the check.” I shake his hand and his touch causes goose
pimples to appear on my skin, and I smile when he holds onto my hand longer than normal. Usually, I freak out with the prolonged hold, but I don’t want to let go of his hand.
“Nice to meet you, Ms. Janes. Kelly has told me so much about you and your work in the community.” His voice is sexy, like a smooth drink of whiskey. I grin and nod like a love struck fool at him.
Kelly continues, “This is the new area director of the Community Centers of Reno, Samantha Devine.”
“Nice to meet you, Ms. Devine.” I quickly shake her hand. Her quick, cold glance snaps me out of my daze. As fast as she looked at me, her eyes are back on Patrick.
“And this is Maven Shade, Ms. Devine’s assistant.”
“My pleasure, Ms. Shade,” I say as I shake her hand and smile.
“Likewise,” she says quietly, with a blush in her cheeks. She must be new too.
“This is how I would like everything to go…” Kelly tells everyone where we need to go and how she wants this presented to the media. She’s picked a few kids to be in the photos and on TV, a few children that have touched her life, with Patrick, the mayor, and myself. Samantha and Maven are here to field questions, per Kelly. I love her blunt, I take no shit personality. “Any questions?” she asks us.
We all shake our heads.
“Good. Time to get this rolling. Emily, Patrick, let’s head to the stage. I think I saw the mayor arrive a few moments ago with a few military personnel.” She’s off to find him before anyone can say another word, and within moments, she returns to the stage area with Mayor Jim Grove and the four children she picked.
She taps on the mic, “Ladies and Gentlemen of the Place Hope family and our honored guests, welcome to our community celebration. I hope you’re having fun today…” Her speech is to the point and has several tears in the eyes of the people in the audience. When she’s finished, Patrick takes the podium, gives a remarkable presentation of the grant, and says wonderful things about the center. After everyone finished talking, I’m ushered to the front of the stage to say a few words and accept the check on behalf of the center.
After a mirage of flashes and adjusting my pose several times, I’m standing in front of several TV cameras answering questions from news reporters. I try to not the let the nervousness come through in my voice, but I’m sure people will be able to tell I’m scared shitless. After a few more questions, I’m able to go and enjoy the rest of the celebration. I’d love a Jack and Coke right now to calm my nerves.
“You looked like a natural up there answering their questions,” Patrick Matheson says after I walk out from under the canopy, startling me because I wasn’t paying attention to who was around.
“Oh, Mr. Matheson, thank you,” I say with a timid smile. The man is striking, very sexy. I can see why Samantha couldn’t keep her eyes off him. His blond hair and blue eyes remind me of a surfer, and the way his suit fits, I’m sure he probably could surf.
“First time?” he asks as he lightly brushes up against me. The brief contact sends a jolt of electricity through my body, rendering me a little speechless.
“Y-yes. Normally, Kelly is in all the press ops, but for some reason she wanted me to do it today,” I rush out, trying to collect my thoughts.
“Well, it’s nice to have the opportunity to meet you, Ms. Janes.” He winks. Holy hell. Is he flirting with me? Surely not. “So you’re the Community Outreach Director,” he asks, engaging me in the conversation.
“Yes, I try to make sure everyone who comes in here receives the help they need.”
“Impressive,” he says with a million dollar smile.
“And with CU Gold’s grant, I’ll be able to help a lot more people,” I say with a huge smile, trying not to suck up. Wait. Yes, I am, and flirt right back.
“I am glad we get to be part of what you are doing for the community.” He smiles more natural, and dimples appear on his cheeks.
“Me too, I—oof!” is all I get out as I hit the ground and watch Patrick’s face fill with horror.
“Emily! Are you okay?” Patrick asks, as he helps me from ground. I look down, and I’m covered in dirt. Damn it, that’s going to be a bitch to get out of my skirt.
“Ms. Emily! We’re sorry. We were playing football and the ball got away from us,” Ty, one of the big kids at the center, says as he helps brush me off. Then he runs over to the boys and continues to play.
“I’m okay. Thank you for helping me up, Mr. Matheson. I’m going to head inside and freshen up,” I say shaking and embarrassed
“Sure you’re okay?” he asks with concern, and I notice he hasn’t taken his hand off my arm as heat radiates from the contact.
“Positive. I’ll be right back.” I smile and turn to head into the building.
I’m glad I have Nate’s clothes here and a few other things especially tennis shoes. I’d look a little strange in heels and shorts. I chuckle as I walk to my office. This is just a typical day at the community center.
I completely froze as Emily hit the ground, but I honestly didn’t see the kid coming until it was too late. After a boy almost twice her size plowed her to the ground, she got up and walked it off as if nothing had happed. What can I say about Ms. Janes? She’s very enchanting, a natural beauty, someone who makes doing activities outside of work enticing, and I can tell she’s impassioned when it comes to her work. Her eyes sparkled when she was talking about helping people in the community.
So many organizations are after money, but instead of using it where we thought they were going to, they used it for their salaries. Seeing this type of involvement in the community makes me glad to be here, CUGC here. Excellent opportunity for the company, and I hope this partnership is something we can make permanent.
I walk around and talk the people who make up this community. No one has had a negative thing to say about the center and its staff. They’ve talked about all the programs they offer, and the center’s website that I researched only listed half of what’s really going on here. I make my rounds and bullshit for a few moments with Mayor Grove. We play golf together and a little friendly bull shitting is necessary when I see him.
When I excuse myself from talking to him, I see Emily come out in shorts and a Navy T-shirt. I wonder if she was in the Navy? I guess I could ask.
“You were in the Navy,” I ask.
“It is…was my brother’s shirt,” she says with a slight frown.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” I feel like shit that I said something.
“Thank you. He was killed a few weeks ago. We were finally able to lay him to rest last week.” She bites her cheek, willing herself not to show emotion.
“Thursday; Nathan Janes?” I ask immediately.
“Yes, how did you know?” She’s shocked that I know.
“I saw the segment on the news. Again, I’m sorry for your loss.”
She gives me a smile and changes the subject.
“Are you staying the rest of the celebration or do you need to get back to the office?”
“I had planned on staying.” Especially with her here.
“Good. A few of the children stopped me to ask. They enjoy talking to someone new.” The compliments completely make my day.
“I enjoy meeting them and learning about their community. We didn’t have anything like this when I grew up, and it’s nice to see an effort to bring the community together.”
“Your statement is so accurate. Project Hope brings the hope into this community.”
She smiles at me and her affectionate nature warms my cold soul. Kane is normally the one that comes out in the community, but I deal with the public when it benefits the company or myself, especially myself. I have to prove myself to someone I’m not worthless, me, and I don’t want a child growing up like I did, hungry and abused. That might make me a bit of a selfish asshole, but I do it to quiet the voice in my head.
I look at Emily and her vibrancy makes me think she might be able to help me with my newest project.
“I have
a question, you can tell me no since you’re still grieving, but I have a project coming up involving organizations that handle veteran affairs… I would love to have your insight on how best to help soldiers and their families.”
She bites her bottom lip for a few moments, and I can tell she is thinking what to say. I know she’s going to say no.
“What’s your timeline?” she asks as she tries to mask the pain of her lost brother.
“I have approval for the money and the organizations researched, I just want to know where would be best to allocate the funds.”
“Can we meet next week to discuss your thoughts?”
“Yes, that works.” I put my hands in my pocket and grab my metal card holder. I pull out one of my business cards and hand it to her. “Call my assistant, Kristin, with the day and time that works for you.”
“Will do.”
“Thank you, Emily.”
“You’re welcome. Would you like to meet more people that the grant will be helping?”
“Yes, lead the way.”
She smiles and walks over to the kids and adults surrounding a large table of drinks and cookies. When we arrive at the small group of people off to the side, she introduces me to several families who tell me their history. Many of their stories have similarities of the physical and verbal abuse I lived with, and in this moment, I’ve never been more grateful for the Carlino’s support when I was a teen.
After several hours at the community center, I’m hot, sweaty, and I want to get out of this suit and shower. I’m glad that I was part of this presentation. If I hadn’t been, I wouldn’t have met Emily. I think her insight will be a huge asset to my next project. As I walk to my car, I hear, “See you later, Mr. Patrick.”… “Bye, Mr. Patrick.”… “Bye.”… I smile and wave as I walk by.
I make it to my car and remove my jacket before I get in, and I turn the AC on full blast as soon as I turn the ignition on. While waiting for the AC to cool the interior of the car and me, I think about the best way to get to my house south of the city. I hit the home button on the GPS and have Siri worry about getting me there in the shortest time.