Valerie smiled as she walked through the automatic doors and into the reception area of the shelter.
A pretty young woman was standing on a chair as she taped red, pink and white hearts to the windows and walls. “This looks great! I especially like the white lacy looking edging.”
“Thank you! Mrs. Avaleigh brought in the decorations and I just couldn’t help but put them up. It brightens everything up, I think.”
“It really does. Could you use some help?”
“That’d be great! I’ll go grab the rest of the decorations.” She smiled at Valerie, then started for the door that was used to buzz people in and out of the back offices. “I didn’t know you were volunteering today. I didn’t see anyone but Mrs. Avaleigh on the schedule. I hope I’m not keeping you from anything else,” she said, not waiting for an answer before unlocking the door and disappearing through it.
“Not at all,” Valerie said, and waited for Giada to come back, but just when she saw her heading back toward the door, the phone rang. Giada darted back to the phone and answered it on the third ring.
Valerie walked over to the window and motioned for Giada to let her into the back. Giada looked up from behind sliding windows that kept the receptionist separate from whoever might come in, if she felt she needed to be, and nodded. She pressed the button to buzz Valerie in, as she continued talking to the person on the phone about their hours and the services they offered. When she finished the call she looked up at Valerie now standing beside her desk. “I’m sorry, didn’t mean to leave youout there. I was coming to get the rest of the decorations and got sidetracked.”
“No problem at all. I’m going to go put my purse and coat in the back office,” Valerie said.
“No problem,” Giada said. “You know where everything is.”
Valerie came back out to Giada’s desk and smiled at her. “You ready for some help with the rest of those hearts?”
“Are you sure you have time?”
“Oh, yeah. I just came by to see if Avaleigh might need some help. I thought I remembered her volunteering in the kitchen today, and decided I’d offer a hand.”
“Yes, ma’am. She got here early today and is already elbows deep.”
“Well, let’s get these up and I’ll go help her when I’m done.” Valerie said.
“Thank you! I could really use your help putting this banner up and all these balloons!” Giada said, lifting two huge lawn and leaf bags full of already blown up balloons off the floor.
“I’m up for it!” Valerie said. She helped carry the rest of the decorations out into the reception area and they got down to business, taping everything that could be taped to any surface it would stick to. A banner announcing that Valentine’s Day had arrived with hearts and butterflies on it was draped across the top of the frame holding the reception window in place. Red, white, and pink balloons were taped to every surface possible and streamers and long curling ribbons were cascading from anything they could be tied to.
“That’ll do it!” Giada said, taking a step back and looking at their handiwork.
“It’ll cheer up anybody that comes in here.”
“I think so.”
“You know, Giada… I have to tell you, I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about you and your work. Everyone here is very impressed with you.”
“Thank you so much! I’m really liking the work. So much so that it’s not really even like I’m working. I look forward to coming in every day. I feel very fortunate to be here.”
“Well, we’re fortunate to have you.”
“I appreciate that, Mrs. Valerie,” Giada said.
“It’s quiet today,” Valerie commented.
“It is. Everyone that’s come in is either in the cafeteria, or they’re watching T.V.. And my own boys have been captivated with one of the video games in the playroom lately. You won’t hear from them until their stomachs rumble long enough for them to figure out they’re hungry,” Giada said with a laugh.
“They’re young for a video game, aren’t they? I still can’t figure them out, and I’ve raised three to adulthood! They all liked those video games.”
“It’s crazy how young they start playing them. Mine struggled with a couple of them, but there was a young man in here the other day who showed them how to play the one they’re currently obsessed with. It’s a Disney game, though, so it’s at least age appropriate. And they love it.”
“How old are they, if you don’t mind me asking?” Valerie said.
“Leo is seven, and Matteo is six.”
“Oh, they’re still on break from school. If they’re anything like my oldest, they’re already mad about having to go back,” Valerie said laughingly.
