I took off out the door and began walking toward the downtown strip.It had been years since I’d walked these streets, but I remembered most of them instantly.
It was good to see that Bluebird Books was still in business, and I wondered if Vi still owned it or if she’d finally retired.I made a mental note to stop in and visit, perhaps pick up a new read.I also wanted to check out the community center.I wanted to find out more about the counselor position and drop off the donation I had for the food drive, and also to see if they were still looking for help with the holiday elves.Since I was early, I headed there first.
I pulled the large brown door open and entered.Laughter rang out down the hall, and a few kids took off running past me.I couldn’t help but smile.
“Can I help you?”I heard a man’s voice say from behind me.
I turned and smiled, then held out my hand.
“Hey, I’m Noah Lucas.”
“Nice to meet you, Noah.I’m Ethan Alexander, one of the retired military volunteers here.What brings you in today?”he asked, shaking my hand.
“Well, I’m relatively new to the area, or, should I say, a returning resident.I grew up in Willow Valley, and I, too, am a retired military officer.I was in the grocery store the other night and saw that you were looking for help for both the holiday elves, and after speaking with the cashier, I learned you are also looking for a counselor.Plus, I have this for the food drive,” I said, holding up a small bag of canned goods and some pasta.
“Well, first, welcome home.”
“Thank you,” I answered.
“Now, about the holiday elves program.We certainly could use help.Unfortunately, there are more kids and families enrolled in the program than ever before, so the more hands we have, the more we will achieve.My daughter Melinda, who works over at the Crispy Biscuit, is one of the head elves, and I know she will be thrilled to know that she will have one extra hand.As for the counselor position, do you know someone who would fit the job?”
“Yes, sure do.Before I left the military, I had been struggling.I took some time off, got treatment, and then put my focus on getting educated.I wanted to help others who were struggling like me.So, I did the courses and got my license to counsel with the military.”
“That’s wonderful.Are you currently working?”
I shook my head.“Unfortunately, in moving back, I left my current job hoping to find one here.So if the position is still available, I’d sure love a chance of applying.”
Ethan nodded and stepped out of the way of the five kids who flew past me when I walked into the center.
“Guys, slow down there,” he called after them.
“Sorry, Ethan!”one of them shouted back.
“I’d love to know where they get that energy from.”Ethan chuckled, turning his attention back to me.
“Same.What I could do with that again!”I laughed.
“Seriously!”Ethan chuckled.“Now, for the job.You’d not only be working with people in the military, but you’d mostly be with kids.We find that some of them are really struggling, especially with the holidays, so that is why we put the call out for a counselor.”
“That isn’t a problem.I’ve worked with kids at my last post.”
“That is good to know.Mindi, who looks after the program here, isn’t in right now.She had to step out and do a few errands, but she should be back later this afternoon.You could always stop by and speak with her.”
I felt my heart skip a beat at the sound of her name.Could it be true?Was it my Mindi who was running the center?She’d always been involved with the community when we were younger, and I’d remembered her working with this type of program years ago before.
“What do you say?”I heard Ethan ask.
“About?”I questioned, feeling silly that I’d allowed my mind to wander.
“Stopping back in this afternoon.It’s been so hard to find a good fit for the team.I’m certain Mindi would sit down and speak with you.”
I could feel my pulse in my throat as I nodded.“I can certainly stop back in,” I said.
“Sounds good.I’ll let her know you are planning on coming back in today or tomorrow at the latest, in case you get sidetracked, but I certainly hope we will see you again.”
“Sure will,” I said, holding my hand out for Ethan to shake once again.
The cold air hit me as I stepped out the door of the community center.My mind wandered right back to where it was when I’d gotten sidetracked.Could it actually be my Mindi?I wondered.Had she really never left Willow Valley?Was this fate’s way of dropping her back into my life after all these years?How was I going to approach this?Should I just run now and not come back?
