by Lia Kane
I glanced out of the window and spotted a woman seated on a bench, her back to us. She was dressed in medical scrubs and had dirty-blonde hair that was drawn back into a tight ponytail. Geneva rapped on the glass, startling her. Just before the woman spun her head around, she snatched the lit cigarette from between her lips and crushed it underneath her heel.
“No smoking on this property!” Geneva fussed at her loudly through the window.
The woman surrendered with a nod, picked up the butt and stepped away.
“Who is she?” I asked.
“That’s Lucy, our blood bank nurse,” explained Geneva. “She’s the only employee who doesn’t live here since she’s part-time. She transports the blood daily from the main blood bank in Blue Sky and prepares it for the children. She also takes the children’s vitals every day and triages any medical issues that come up. Lucy’s been working with the orphans before Hope House was even chartered as a nonprofit.”
“So is the smoking a new thing?” I asked.
“No,” Geneva rolled her eyes. “She knows better, but she’ll try to get away with smoking on the property sometimes. You’ll have to discipline her if you catch her doing it,” she said.
An affirmation, I assumed, that I already had the job.
We passed through the kitchen and dining area, turning down a hallway that led to the bedrooms. I followed them into a large dormitory-style room with two sets of bunk beds on the left and one set on the right, for a total of six beds. The walls were the same burgundy red color and the windows were blocked with heavy drapes to keep out the sunlight. A Chinese folding wall partitioned the room down the middle. Agnes turned on the light.
“This is where the school-age children sleep,” she said. “We have four children that fall in the age five-to-seven category. Our little five year-old lady, Haley, sleeps on the right side of the room, and the young men – Jonathan, who’s six, and Jermaine and Jervonne, who are seven, sleep on the left. As they grow older, we’ll need to make arrangements for separate sleeping quarters for Haley, but this is the best we can do for now.”
Next, we entered a room with four cribs, three of which contained napping babies and toddlers. “The nursery,” whispered Geneva. “Birth to age four.” As in every other room of the house, the walls were the same shade of soothing dark red, and curtains blocked the outdoor light. In the corner, a heavyset dark-skinned woman was rocking a baby to sleep. She looked up and acknowledged us with a smile.
Hello, she mouthed silently, as not to wake the child in her arms.
“That’s Claudia,” said Janice in a hushed whisper. “She runs the nursery for children under the age of five.”
“I’m Jerrika,” I whispered. “Nice to meet you.” I followed my guides as they continued my tour. We stopped at a closed door. Agnes knocked twice.
“Come in,” called a cheery voice from the other side.
Agnes pushed the door open and motioned for me to come inside. Four young children sat cross-legged in a semi-circle around a fortysomething year-old woman. Her long graying hair hung in thick hippie braids on either side of her face. An open storybook was perched on her knee.
“Good morning Sarah,” said Agnes. “This is Miss Jerrika Rand. She’s interviewing for the executive director position.”
Sarah smiled as she peered at us over her bifocals. “Well, hello Miss Jerrika! Welcome to Hope House!”
“Sarah is our family teacher who homeschools the older children,” Agnes explained.
“Kids, say hello to Miss Jerrika,” Sarah instructed the children as they spun around to get a good look at me. There were three boys and one girl. They all looked like normal, everyday kids, with the exception of being extremely slender.
“Hello, Miss Jerrika,” the four of them said in unison.
“This is Jonathan,” Sarah said, pointing at the biggest boy in the group. He had thick brown hair and beautiful hazel eyes. “And this is Haley,” she said, touching the knee of the little girl in front of her. Little Haley was a doe-eyed beauty, with freckles sprinkled across the bridge of her nose and red hair in a ponytail. “And our twins, Jermaine and Jervonne.” The beautiful dark-skinned boys smiled at me with matching gap-toothed grins.
“Hello everyone,” I said.
“We’ll let you get back to your studies now,” said Agnes, stepping out of the room and motioning for me to do the same.
“Bye Miss Jerrika!” The children called out.
Just as Agnes closed the door, I overheard one of the boys whisper rather loudly, “Man, she’s pretty!” The other children giggled, and I couldn’t help but smile.
Next, the ladies pointed out the shared bedroom for Sarah and Claudia. Then the hallway came to an end.
“This is the executive director’s end of the house,” said Agnes, pulling the cord that switched on an overhead light in the hallway.
To my right was a modestly furnished bedroom. Directly across from it was a small office, where a computer desk took up most of the floor space.
“What do you think?” Agnes asked me. “Would these would be comfortable living and working quarters for you?”
“I think they would.” Again, I tried to sound positive, but not too anxious.
“We know it’s not the lap of luxury,” said Janice.
“But we hope to renovate and expand sometime in the near future,” Geneva added.
“I’m not looking for luxury,” I assured them. “Just a job that will give me something meaningful to do.”
“Well, you would certainly find that here,” said Janice.
The three ladies exchanged hopeful looks with each other as they led me to the front door. “We’ll be in touch soon, Miss Rand,” said Agnes.
“I look forward to it.” I shook hands with each of them and thanked them for their time. We exchanged goodbyes and Agnes promised to call me soon.
Chapter Four
WHEN I ARRIVED back at Whitney’s apartment, a familiar smell hit my nose.
Pizza.
With just one sniff, I could see it in my mind’s eye. Gooey, melted mozzarella, rich red tomato sauce, garlic salted crust…
My stomach wrenched and I found myself hungry and nauseated at the same time. I wanted nothing more than to eat regular food again, but my stomach wouldn’t let me. Since I had contracted VAM, I had tried at least half a dozen times to eat real food. Every episode ended in disaster. My stomach would reject whatever I swallowed, sending it back up my throat and out of my mouth in one painful, bloody outburst.
“I hate you,” I said as I threw open the door. “You know how much I used to love pizza.”
Whitney was sitting cross-legged on the floor, shoving a slice of New York-style pizza in her mouth.
“My bad,” she said. “I just got back from downtown. Paolo’s Pizzeria was giving away free slices, so I grabbed one.”
“Free pizza,” I murmured. “I still remember how Paolo’s pizza tastes. Why did he have to wait until I had VAM to give it away for free?”
“I guess they’re hurting for business these days. It’s pretty sad when they have to give away what they used to sell just to get people in the door. You should see downtown, Jer. It’s a real ghost town. Lots of shops and restaurants have closed. There are ‘out of business’ signs as far as the eye can see.” She swallowed the last bite of pizza and feigned a look of upset. “Anyway, sorry to torment you with the pizza. I didn’t think you would be home this early. How did the interview go?”
“Pretty good, I think. It was really short.”
“What’s the job all about?”
“In a nutshell, the executive director oversees the day-to-day happenings in the orphanage, supervises the staff, and serves as a liaison to the community.”
“That doesn’t sound so bad. How many kids are there?”
“Not many. Four school-age and four in the nursery. It’s a really small facility, too. It’s just an old house that they turned into a group home.”
“So
who owns it?”
I shrugged. “No one knows. Some anonymous person owns the house and leases it to the board of directors free of charge.”
Whitney’s eyes widened. “That’s weird. Did you at least get to check the place out?”
“Yeah. They gave me a tour and introduced me to the staff and the kids. I get the impression they’re really desperate to fill the job and they aren’t having much luck finding viable candidates.”
“I bet you floored them.”
I shrugged. “Let’s hope. I’m in dire need of a paycheck.”
“I’m sure you’ve got nothing to worry about,” Whitney said. “That job is yours. Just wait. They’ll call you before the end of the day. They have to.”
“Why?”
“Because as you said, they’re desperate. And because I got a job today too.”
“You did? That quickly?”
She jumped up from the floor. “Yep. So it’s official. We’re back in Blue Sky to stay.”
I arched an eyebrow. “That fast? What kind of job did you get?”
“I’m going to be teaching biology at B.S. High. That’s why I was downtown today,” said Whitney. “I went to the school board and left my resume with their receptionist. On my way home, I got a call on my cell phone. This dude told me to show up the day after tomorrow, ready to teach. I have to get a physical and drug test done tomorrow, otherwise I’m sure he would have put me to work one day sooner.”
“Oh,” I was almost speechless, but not surprised. Whitney had a way of doing that – just demanding from the universe that she get whatever it was that she wanted and needed, and her wishes would be instantly fulfilled. “Well, congrats on the job. But are you sure it’s an official job offer? Don’t they need to verify your degree and your teaching license? Or check references?”
“If they did, they didn’t mention it. I think it’s the same situation as the people who just interviewed you. They’re desperate.”
“I don’t have an offer yet.”
“But you will. Trust me.”
Just then, my mobile phone rang in my purse.
“It’s them,” said Whitney. “Bet you anything. You got the job.”
I answered the call. “Hello?”
“Hello Miss Rand. This is Agnes from Blue Sky Hope House.”
“Hi Agnes,” I said. “Please – call me Jerrika.”
“Alright, Jerrika. We were very pleased with your interview this morning. I’m calling to offer you the executive director position.”
Whitney and I locked eyes. She knew without me saying a word, and started prancing around in a victory dance.
“Well… I…. yes,” I stammered. “I will accept. Yes.”
“Oh, wonderful!” Agnes cried out. “Everyone will be so happy to hear this news. How soon can you move in, dear?”
“Oh… well, this is so sudden…”
“Would tomorrow be too soon?”
“Tomorrow?” I repeated. “Yes. I can move in tomorrow.”
“Very good,” said Agnes. “Come on over any time after seven o’clock. That’s when the children wake up and start their day.”
“Who’s going to train me for my job? Is there an orientation period?”
“Oh, yes, there’s that,” Agnes said with a little laugh. “You just get moved in tomorrow, and I’ll come by on Friday to do your orientation.”
“Today is Tuesday,” I said. “What will I do on Wednesday and Thursday?”
“Just take some time to settle in, get to know the staff and the children,” she said. “Make yourself at home. That’s all you need to worry about for now. I’ll see you Friday, dear. Have a good evening. And welcome to Blue Sky Hope House. We’re glad to have you join us.” Agnes hung up quickly, almost like she was afraid I would change my mind if she didn’t hurry up and get off the line. I pressed the ‘end’ button on my phone and tossed it back in my purse.
“What did I tell you?” Whitney said, pausing from her obnoxious dance moves long enough to give me a congratulatory hug. “We’re both employed. How great is that?”
“Great,” I said, in a voice that was devoid of enthusiasm. “I don’t know, Whit. This just seems too good to be true. It was too easy.”
“Yeah, but too easy is better than impossible, which is what we were up against when we tried to find jobs in Raleigh.”
“Still, don’t you think it’s strange that no one even took the time to check our references? Most people don’t get hired on the spot, do they?”
“No. Just me. I’m a special case. And so are you.”
“Why?”
“Because we’re friggin’ awesome, that’s why. Just relax and enjoy this, Jer. This is good news! We’ve got jobs. Jobs mean we get paid. Getting paid means independence. It’s official – now we’re grownups.”
“I thought we were grownups when we graduated.”
“Well I was, sure. But you just had to go do another three years in grad school while I tended bar to pay our rent. You freeloading deadweight,” she said, sticking her tongue out at me.
“Bar tramp.”
We burst into laughter.
“I guess you’re right,” I relented. “We’re both employed. Let’s celebrate.”
“In all seriousness – congratulations, Jerrika.” She hugged me.
“You too, Whit.”
“Hey,” she whispered in my ear. “I’m really proud of you for landing this job. I think it’s incredible. You’re incredible. That’s why you’re my best friend.”
“Ditto, all of that,” I said. “And I’m going to miss you.”
She pulled back, looking confused. “Why?”
“Because part of my job is to live in the orphanage with the kids and the other staff. I won’t be able to stay here.”
She looked confused, and almost hurt. “So this is it, huh?”
“It appears that way.”
“And they’ll feed you?”
“There’s a blood bank on site, so I assume so.”
Whitney blinked several times. Nothing could have prepared me for the sight of tears forming in the corners of her eyes. She cupped her hands over her mouth. “Oh Jerrika,” she said softly, “Wow. I… I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to take the teaching job if you don’t want it,” I said. “You can go anywhere you want now.”
“I still want to stay in Blue Sky,” she insisted. “For a little while, anyway.”
“Don’t do it just for me.”
“It’s not just for you. I’ve missed my parents. I need to spend some time with them.”
“Nothing wrong with that.”
She wiped her eyes. “I’m still here if you need me,” she said. “I mean it. If you can get away from the orphanage and you want to come and crash here every now and then, you can. This is your home too, you know. The door is always open. And if for some reason you can’t get blood from the blood bank, I’ll always be on standby. I promise, Jerrika, you’ll always have a home wherever I am, and I won’t let you go hungry.”
“And I love you for that, Whit,” I said. “But this is a good thing. It all happened so fast that it’s a little scary, but I’m happy too, believe me.”
We hugged again. Whitney rarely cried, so it bothered me to see her watery-eyed and sniffling with emotion.
“Cut that out now,” I fussed. “We do need to celebrate. Champagne for you –”
“And one last blood draw for you.” She laughed awkwardly. “I’ll stop by the pharmacy to pick up more phlebotomy supplies. Do you need anything while I’m out?”
“Have I ever needed anything from the outside world?” I asked.
Whitney shook her head. “Not that I can recall,” she said. “I’ll be back soon.” She opened the door of the apartment and disappeared down the steps.
Chapter Five
BEING THE MINIMALIST that I am has always made it easy to move in and out of the places that I’ve called home throughout my life. Everything that I ow
ned was packed into five cardboard boxes and a couple of tote bags, all of which fit in the trunk of my aging blue Toyota Camry. When I pulled in the driveway of the orphanage, Lucy and Sarah were waiting with two of the older kids they had recruited to help with the effort. I recognized the children – Jonathan and Haley – from my tour the day before. They were eager to make a good impression on me and seemed disappointed to find that there wasn’t a bigger need for manual labor. I sent Haley into the house with the two tote bags and Jonathan with one of the smaller cardboard boxes. Lucy, Sarah and I took the rest and my unpacking was officially completed in one trip.
Inside the house, Haley and Jonathan bounded into my bedroom with giggles. After placing my box and bags on the floor, they threw themselves onto the bed, jumping up and down on the bare mattress. I lingered in the doorway, watching them have fun.
“Jonathan… Haley… stop that!” barked Sarah as she and Lucy gently pushed past me and unloaded the boxes they had brought in from my car.
“We’re trying to stop, but we can’t,” said Jonathan. “It’s not our fault, it’s our feets that are doing it! They just won’t stop!”
Haley giggled in agreement.
“So help me, I’ll jerk a knot in you two if you don’t get down from there!” Sarah planted her hands on her hips and eyed them sternly. “Get off the bed and get out of here so Miss Jerrika can unpack and settle in.”
The kids threw themselves up in the air one last time, landed on their backs, then rolled off the bed.
“You’ve got to be firm with them,” Sarah said to me as Jonathan and Haley dashed past her and out of my bedroom. “Remember, you’re not here to be their friend, you’re an authority fig– Ooop!” she cried out as one of the children spanked her rear end. “Which one of you stinkers did that?”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Dinner at six,” Sarah said to me as she rushed out of my room, chasing the boy and girl down the hall. “Oh, you’ve asked for it! Just wait till I catch up with you!” The children broke into screams punctuated by hysterical giggles.
Lucy smiled at me. “Just a typical day at Hope House. Welcome home,” she said. Her breath reeked of cigarettes.