The younger teenagers—who came out with a pissed-at-the-world attitude—relaxed after they saw he wasn’t like the other volunteers. He wouldn’t scold them for swearing or for goofing off instead of working. The older ones complained about anything and everything while he piped in from time to time with advice or sharing similar stories to their struggles.
“Oh, come on, you can’t tell me you haven’t thought about itonce,” Lincoln, one of the older teens, said, rolling his eyes. “Everyone at school does it.”
“Look dude.” Illias yanked a weed out of the ground. “All I’m saying is that selling Xanaxat schoolwill get you kicked out. Do youwantto be a drug dealer for the rest of your life?”
“No,” he grumbled, snatching the weed from Illias’ hand. “I want to design cars.”
“Okay, well to do that you need a college degree which requires you to have a high school diploma or a GED at the very least.” Illias stood, placing his hands on his hips. “So, you can either finish your senior year, or you can make quick cash and get kicked out and possibly go to juvie. Which will delay you getting your GED, which will delay you going to college. But hey dude, your choice.”
Lincoln huffed. “But what if—”
“Dude.” Carter, a sixteen-year-old, slapped Lincoln’s shoulder. “Shut up. Illias has a point. Do you really want to go to juvieagain?”
“I guess not.”
“Good, glad that’s settled. Are we done for the day?” Illias glanced around the group, waiting for a consensus and praying it was yes. Everyone looked at each other, voices overlapping as they all agreed that they were fine calling it quits.
One of the younger teens brought out water bottles for everyone and they all found a place to perch or lean on. Illias glanced around the small group—no more than ten of them in total—and saw a piece of himself in every one of them. All of them were at different stages of life, just trying to make it day by day. He thought about seeing one of the volunteers to ask if they had groups for people in this awkward stage of life. Not a child but not an adult. Not sure who they are or how they fit in the grand scheme of things.
“Wow,” Cantrell’s voice snagged Illias’ attention.
Illias turned his head towards the right to see Cantrell at the shelter door.
“I haven’t seen the yard look this good in months.” His eyes fell on Illias. “Did you do this?”
Illias’ already burnt cheeks grew hotter. “With some help. I wouldn’t have been able to get nearly as much done if it wasn’t for them.”
Cantrell’s smile met his glowing eyes and Illias decided he wanted to see that expression on Cantrell’s face more. Illias was used to seeing him tired or stressed, but happy? That was rare. To be the one that made Cantrell happy twisted Illias’ guts in a way he couldn’t explain.
“It’s a good thing I made a trip to the grocery store before I came. There’s ice cream and popsicles in the kitchen if any of you would like to—”
All of the teenagers scrambled to their feet, laughing and pushing each other to get to the door first. Soon it was only Cantrell and Illias left in the yard.
“Good trick.” Illias pushed off the decrepit slide he was leaning on. “But if you wanted to talk privately, you could’ve just said so.”
Cantrell raised an eyebrow. “Oh, I thought you would be joining them since you’re rather close in age.”
Illias’ jaw dropped but a soft, airy laugh escaped him. “Alright, Father’s got jokes.” He tucked his hands in his pockets, cocking his hip to the side. “Was there something you wanted to talk about though?”
“I wanted to thank you for doing this.” Cantrell nodded towards the pile of weeds in the back corner of the yard. “And for making those kids smile again. I haven’t seen them that happy in…a while.” He took his glasses off while pulling a small cloth out of his pocket. “I think the volunteers often forget howto connect with them because they don’t come from the same background. And I rarely have the time to sit down with them, so,” he slid his glasses back on, “Thank you. If you ever have the free time, will you come back and do whatever it is you did with them again?”
“Yeah, absolutely. The time may vary but I’ll be here.”
“I’m sure they’ll appreciate it regardless. They can be a handful at times though.”
“I can handle it. If needed, I’ll call in backup.” Illias took his hands out of his pockets then picked up his water from the grass. “Well,” he sighed. “I am in desperate need of a shower, so I will see you around, Father.”
Illias walked towards the door. Cantrell grabbed Illias’ wrist as he passed, stopping him mid-step. “Are you coming Tuesday?” Cantrell asked.
“Sorry, can’t. I’m covering for Jasmine. But you know how to reach me if you’rethatdesperate to see me.”
Cantrell’s cheeks turned pink and he averted his eyes. “I will see you on Sunday then.”
Illias hid his disappointment with a gentle smile. “Of course.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Cantrell
