Chapter Two
Desmond
“Wow! Everyone came together in a big way this year.”
As I packed another box, I glanced back at Janice, who worked with me in Administration at Adan Records. “Yeah, it’s nice to see considering the need is so much greater this year. Not only all this food and these toys but a lot of cash donations, too.”
“You really did good in organizing this. I’m sure the Good Neighbor House will appreciate it.” She pointed to an empty box. “Do you need any help packing it up?”
I shook my head. “I’m good. Thanks for offering though.”
When she went back to her desk, I breathed a sigh of relief. I felt bad asking anyone at the company for help. With my grandfather as the founder and CEO of the company, I didn’t want other employees to think I wasn’t pulling my weight, that I just wanted a free ride because of who I was related to. I especially didn’t want them to feel sorry for me due to the crimes of my father.
It wasn’t always like that. Once upon a time, I didn’t know the identity of my father, and my grandfather didn’t know about me. That was when my mother and I depended on places like the Good Neighbor House just to get by. Things changed when my father was sent to prison and my grandfather learned of the paternity suit against his son. My mom started getting money from the CEO of Adan Records and the man wanted to meet me. I was in my early teens back then, full of anger and unease about my first shift. No way did I want to meet a man who gave birth to the person who hurt my mom so much. Years passed, and we did meet, eventually becoming close. He paid for my college education and offered me a job. I turned him down at first then came to work for the record label after I quit five administration jobs in a year because they didn’t suit me. I never expected ahandout from him and worked my ass off to maintain favor with everyone else in the department. All reasons why the charity drive within the company was so important to me.
After I finished packing everything in boxes, I wheeled the loaded cart toward the elevator.
Janice came over and handed me the keys to one of the cube vans before helping me fit everything into the elevator. “They just phoned and said they’re all excited that you’re coming over. Apparently, they’re getting the news cameras to come and everything.”
I frowned and shook my head. “I guess it will be a huge disappointment when they find out it’s just me and not some celebrity who brought over the donation.”
With a smile, she rubbed my forearm. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. They’ll be thankful for your donation. They already are. The woman I spoke to said they’re behind this year and are hoping that you being on the news will help spur more donations.”
Knowing there would be cameras proved a good reason to have kept my mom’s last name. I mostly did it to protect myself from the enemies my father had made. My grandfather employed lawyers and security to protect himself, but using them would bring me and my story into the spotlight. I simply wanted to stay in the shadows. It also helped that I looked like my mom.
I waved to Janice as the elevator doors closed then rode down to the second level of the parking garage. It proved easier to get out of the elevator than in, and I wheeled the cart over to the van. Once all the boxes were inside, I wheeled the cart off to the side so it wouldn’t be hit before I returned, then drove south to the charity on Kang Road.
Thankfully the building had a loading dock, as parking on the street could be a bit sketchy in that area of the city. Plus,I saw the Shifter News Network vans out front and wanted to avoid them as long as possible. After pressing the buzzer by the back door, I stared up at the security camera and waited for someone to let me in.
A dark-skinned woman wearing a blue polo shirt with the charity’s logo sewn onto the left side opened the door. “Hello. You’re from Adan Records?”
I nodded, pointing over to the van. “It’s filled with boxes full of donated goods. Plus, I have an envelope of cash.”
“Well, isn’t this our lucky day! A handsome fellow like you bringing us just what we need.” She winked at me as her eyes sparkled. “I will open the bay door and then Cynthia and I will help you unload everything. And if you don’t mind staying for a bit, we’d like to set up a display and show off your donation in front of cameras to encourage others to donate.”
I nodded, swallowing away my reluctance. I could stand in front of a camera and smile for the cause. “Yeah, my co-worker mentioned something about that. Plus, I saw the news vans out front.”
With the three of us, it only took five minutes to unload the van. It took another twenty minutes for the Good Neighbor House staff and the news crew to discuss how they wanted to film the spot, and thirty more to set up the display and write out a big cardboard check with the total cash donation amount from me and my colleagues. I helped where I could, otherwise stood to the side to avoid getting in anyone’s way. For some reason, there was a reindeer in the room, too. I assumed someone had shifted into their animal form to help with the festive vibe of the segment, since a wild animal wouldn’t be so calm. I felt bad for him. While I did love to be in my wolf form, I didn’t like to shift when it was requested of me. Especially by a human. I hoped that wasn’t the case for the reindeer. He probably receivednumerous requests to shift at Christmastime for the enjoyment of humans.
Suddenly, I glanced down at my clothing, realizing I wasn’t wearing appropriate attire for television. Faded blue jeans and a black cotton shirt with the sleeves rolled up didn’t represent the record label very well. Why hadn’t Janice said anything? I slapped my hand on my head. She told me I would be on the news. My mind had simply gone elsewhere instead of worrying about my wardrobe.
I fisted and stretched my hands, a nervous habit of mine, and accidentally touched the velvety fur of the reindeer. They were so soft, and I couldn’t help running my hand along their side. Such a familiar feeling. I realized my mistake when they grunted at me.
“Sorry.” I took a step away from them and hoped the television spot would be filmed soon. I really needed to get back to work, and I dreaded the creature turning back to their human form and yelling at me for touching them. Closing my eyes, I let out a deep sigh. Why did I do that, and why did I want to pet them again?
Chapter Three
Kane
No paper. Of course. Every time I tried to print something, I always got the same message. It seemed I was the only one in the office who knew how to put paper in the printer. After loading the tray, I hit the button on the document and waited for the December Community Meals calendars to print. I had to take them with me to the other side of the building where we served dinner to those in need. It was a weekly event for us, with other shelters and community groups hosting on other evenings throughout the month.
Once the sheets were printed, I grabbed the warm paper, turned everything off, and locked up before heading through the hallway to the dining room. When I first started at the Good Neighbor House, we used to walk around the building in both good and bad weather to get to the other side. A gracious contractor offered to change that for us if we paid for the material, which we got at his discount. With the way the snow blustered outside, I remained thankful to that guy.
I hung my coat in the lobby, having taken it with me so I didn’t have to go back into the office before I left. Edward, a badger shifter, waited at the table in the foyer, acting as both registrar and security. Mukesh would join him soon enough, likely already helping Bill, our meal coordinator, unload food from the freezer which local grocers had donated for our patrons to take home after their meal.
I handed the calendars to Edward. “Hey, good to see you.”
“You, too.” He set the papers on the table before standing to shake my hand. “Do you think it’s going to be busy tonight with the weather?”
