Dwayne and I walk around to Alex and Scott on the sidewalk, and Alex grins at me. “So, Mr. Rock Star, you ready?”
“Ready for what,exactly?”I ask while raising my eyebrow.
She grabs my hand and starts pulling me toward the building marked ‘Rosalie House – Women’s Shelter.’ The side has a mural painted on it, and I wonder if Alex painted it, but I’m yanked through the doors too quickly to ask. There are so many women here, and I can’t help but notice most of them look a little worse for wear. Their clothes are dated or worn, and I can’t stop the frown from forming as I wonder what their stories are. I guess you never really think about people in these circumstances when you’re not faced with it all the time.
Then it dawns on me.
This was Alex three years ago.
My chest aches, and my stomach flips as I tighten my hand in hers. Alex looks back at me, and she winces, seeming to know what I’m thinking. I already have massive respect for Alex, but now, I’m in awe of her, too.
“Alex, I—”
“It’s okay. I know this place is daunting, but remember, I’m fine now.” She tugs on my hand, pulling me harder as we walk through a hall and into the main room.
The space is alive with energy—people everywhere, banners and streamers draped across the room, creating a festive atmosphere. It feels like a party in full swing. I take in the makeshift bar and a small table loaded with food, guessing this must be their main hall, likely where the women hold their meetings. Stripped of tonight’s festivities, I imagine it’s usually a serene space, with its neutral tones and calming, beautiful artwork.
Photographs of happy, smiling women adorn the walls, their joy almost infectious. I find myself grinning as we weave through the throngs of people toward the back of the room. I have no idea where we’re headed, but I do my best to keep up, dodging more guests who are laughing, drinking, and savoring the lively atmosphere.
We finally make our way down a hallway and out a back door, stepping into a stunning garden area. It’s like a scene out of a storybook—cozy and inviting. The lawn is dotted with small rugs, where people are seated, chatting, and relaxing, giving the space an intimate, picnic-like charm.
A bonfire flickers in the center, housed in a rustic fire pit, with guests perched on wooden crates around its glow. The vibe is cheerful and laid-back, the kind of place that makes you feel instantly at ease. I can’t help but fall in love with the atmosphere.
As we approach the fire, heads turn toward Alex. Smiles spread across their faces as they greet her warmly, their expressions lighting up with recognition and genuine affection.
“Alex!” they all call out in unison as an older woman rises gracefully from a crate and approaches us. Her short, silvery-gray hair is styled neatly, framing her face with soft waves that highlight her timeless features. Fine lines mark her skin, eachone telling a story of laughter, wisdom, and life well-lived. Her sharp green eyes sparkle with warmth and curiosity, contrasting beautifully against her weathered complexion. She carries herself with an air of quiet confidence, her posture straight and purposeful, yet there’s an undeniable kindness in the way she smiles as she reaches out to greet us.
“Nora, it’s so good to see you again. It’s been way too long,” Alex says, letting me go and leaning in for a hug.
“Sweetheart, a day away from you is too long. But, oh, gosh, look at you! You look amazing. How’s your new job going? I’m so proud of you, by the way. I knew you would end up in a gallery. I told you, you could do it, didn’t I?” She smiles so kindly.
Alex tilts her head and sighs. “Well, I had a little help there, you know that. But anyway, Nora, this is Matt, the bassist from Recoil. He’s filling in for Ria tonight,” she says, and I’m not sure why, but her introduction sours me a little. I knew I was here as ‘Matt from Recoil,’ but she could have introduced me as ‘Matt, her friend’ as well.
Nevertheless, I stick out my hand for Nora to shake, and she smiles at me, grabbing my hand and shaking it with a firm grip. “Nice to meet you, Matt. Thank you for coming tonight on such short notice. We do appreciate it.”
“My pleasure. I like to help where I can.”
“It’s always good to have Zaria here, but I think it sends a better message when we get a male celebrity to help with the women. It gives them hope that not all men are like the ones they’ve become accustomed to,” Nora tells me, and I glance at Alex, who’s trying to hide her smirk.
“Yeah, I hate what these women have been through, and honestly, I’ll do anything to help make them feel better.”
Nora claps her hands. “Great. Because the festivities are about to begin, follow me, you two,” she says and starts walking over to the makeshift stage with a microphone setup.
I look at Alex, who’s grinning from ear to ear like she knows a secret I don’t, and I squint at her as she giggles to herself. I lean into her side, close to her ear. “What have you signed me up for, miss?”
She shrugs. “Mischief and mayhem… the usual Saturday night shenanigans.”
Nora taps the mic and clears her throat, then everyone turns to look at her as we stand to the side. “Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the annual Rosalie House Fundraiser. It’s so humbling to have you all in my home here tonight. I hope you all enjoy the festivities we bring to you, and please remember to donate. Tonight is as much about fun as it is about funding, so remember to have a good time while raising awareness. Be kind, be brave, and always,always,smile through the rain. I love you all. So eat, be merry, and the first race will commence shortly.”
She smiles brightly while looking in my direction. “We have a very special celebrity here in Matthew Levine from the rock band Recoil, who will be our star performer tonight, paired with our very own alumni, Alex O’Donovan.”
A cheer erupts around the backyard as they chant Alex’s name, and she raises her hands, grinning while taking in the cheers. It’s like she’s royalty here. I chuckle under my breath as Nora raises her hands, and the crowd hushes down.
“So again, thank you, everyone, for coming tonight. Place your donations, and we will start very soon. Let the games begin.” She grabs hold of a flag, waves it through the air, and everyone cheers like it’s the commencement of theHunger Gamesor something.
I look at Alex, furrowing my brows.
She chuckles and grabs my hand again, leading me further past a heap of fruit trees to an even larger grassed area where a course is laid out like what you’d see at a school sports day. Ibegin to chuckle, looking at the little orange witches’ hats on the grass and the obstacle course set out on the lawn.
