I didn’t turn to watch him go because my attention focused on Phoenix as he finished what he was doing, then headed over to me with a smile. His eyes lit up, and his entire face had changed from the first time we’d met. He was already happier. How much had his ex messed him up?
“We’re finished with the clothes, Da—Father.” A flush spread across his cheeks and down his neck, and his smile shined brighter—he was proud.
“You’ve done amazing, Phoenix. Thank you. You’ve helped people in need tonight.” I touched his shoulder, and he leaned into my hand, closing his eyes briefly before opening them to stare at me intensely.
“Please tell me what to do next. I’ll do anything you ask.”
I faltered, staring around at Sister Joan, who clapped her hands together and said loudly, “We’re ready.”
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I realized it was nearly time to open the doors. Once every few months we did a community night with donated clothes and food to help the homeless and less fortunate. It was always a great success, but keeping people in control was never easy. There were too many hungry folks around here, and it broke my heart. While my family lived off millions of dollars in their fancy mansions, these people starved.
“Okay, I have a big job for you. Do you think you can do it for me?” I asked gently.
He nodded eagerly. “Anything for you, Father.”
I didn’t miss Sister Joan’s suspicious glance when she moved nearer to make a few more piles of clothes neater. She knew about my preferences and was one of the closest people to me, outside of Malachi and Jericho.
“There’ll be a big line outside already, lots of anxious and hungry people.” I cupped his cheek and stroked my thumb over his pale skin. “I need you to control the line and let ten people or families in at once. Only ten, otherwise the crowd can become rowdy.”
Hesitation passed over his face, and he glanced toward the two tall wooden doors of the hall that led outside. “I.... I’m not sure if people will listen to me.”
“You can do this, you’re amazing.” I gave him a reassuring smile that had some confidence returning to him. “Raise your voice if you have to and be in charge. I know you’re not used to that, but you need to tell them whatyouwant them to do. Tell them to be patient and calm or they won’t get anything. Can you do that for me?”
He stood straighter. “I’ll try, Daddy.”
I winced, but he didn’t notice because his focus was back on the doors again.
Something clattered near us, and Sister Joan apologized as she picked up a can of beans she’d accidentally dropped. I pushed Phoenix gently toward the doors, and he gave me a brave smile over his shoulder as he walked over and slipped outside.
I turned to Sister Joan, but she raised her palms toward me. “It’s none of my business.”
“It’s not what it sounds like,” I said quickly, but she laughed.
“Gian, I don’t care. Like I said, it’s none of my business.” She spun and looked around the room. “We’re ready to go. This is going to be an interesting night. I checked outside earlier and there are a lot of people lined up out there.”
I sent a worried look toward the doors. “Do you think he’ll be all right?”
“He’ll be fine.” She rubbed my upper arm and walked away again.
Five minutes later it was time to rock and roll. Sister Joan opened the doors and ten lone people entered. I couldn’t see Phoenix from where I stood near the doors that led into the church, but whatever he was doing seemed to be working because every time a family or single person left with their allotted items, another one replaced them.
It took about half an hour before all hell broke loose. The sound of shouting had me tensing, and then Phoenix was shoved through one of the doors as he tried to stop a tall, bulky man from ramming his way in. Phoenix only came up to his chest and the man pushed Phoenix as though he weighed nothing.
Sister Joan ran toward them, but the man held up his finger, daring her to touch him.
“Sir, enough of this. You’re in the house of God, please be patient.”
“I’m fucking hungry. These fuckers are taking too long, and my wife and baby’s got nothing to eat,” he spat.
“Please wait for your turn,” Phoenix tried, but it did nothing to stop the stranger as he shoved him again.
Anger twisted my insides and made my blood hot as I saw him manhandling Phoenix. A frightened expression crossed Phoenix’s face, and the warning bells in my head telling me to react calmly didn’t dissuade me from stalking over there and grasping the man’s arm before he could push Phoenix again.
“That is enough,” I snapped, surprising the people around us into stilling. “Like Sister Joan said, you are in the house of God. I will not have you acting like this. You will either calm down or leave.”
The man ripped his arm out of my hold and sneered, the smell of alcohol on his breath reaching me and making me scrunch my nose. He yanked back his arm, and I knew what was coming before he’d made up his mind. I gently guided Phoenix out of the way as quickly as I could before the man’s fist started coming for my face. I might let Toma punch me, but that was from the guilt. This was different because I would never let my staff be in danger.
I dodged his fist and ducked out of the way, and he stumbled forward, turning wide eyes toward me. “Sir, please go back outside and wait your turn.”
