The front door opened and Sierra walked in. “Hey guys, I wanted to let you know that I’m locking up and going home for the day.” She smiled at us, her gaze locking onto the mugs in our hands.
“Want coffee?” I made an educated guess.
She beamed. “Please!”
Chuckling, I got off the couch and went with her to the kitchen. She hopped onto one of the few bar stools by the island.
“Ruth bought that machine when she realized that the meetings we had were much nicer here than in the cramped office. She said that we deserved special treats for having to endure the boring stuff.” Her voice was wistful, the way she had loved and now missed Ruth obvious in her tone.
“Did Theo help you with the applications?” I asked as I used the machine to hopefully produce a drink to her liking.
“Yeah, he did. It’s actually something we need to talk to you about.” She took the mug I offered her and inhaled the fragrant steam. “Oh, this will hit the spot.”
“He’s coming over for dinner, something about the funding…?” I leaned to the counter and watched the play of emotions on her face.
“Yeah. He can explain that. It’s been rough since Ruth…But you know, we’re hanging in there and as far as we have volunteers that know what they’re doing, we don’t need to hire anyone and that’s always good. Saves money.” She was clearly trying to be positive, but something in the way her perkiness didn’t quite reach the usual heights let me know this funding issue was real and something we needed to figure out.
“What’s the main thing that’s changed, other than her being gone? Or is it just that?”
Sierra blushed a little, something I wasn’t expecting at all. “One of our biggest yearly donors was this gentleman who lost his son in a riding accident, only to find out that it was because the horse had been mistreated and shouldn’t have been ridden in the first place. That happened…almost thirty years ago.”
“So, an older man,” I deduced.
“Right. A good guy, all in all, just not very…open-minded.” Sierra had put the mug on the island and now rolled it carefully between her palms, waiting for the coffee to cool. “About a month before Ruth passed away, he came for his annual surprise visit.” She grimaced. “My then girlfriend had come in to bring some stuff I’d forgotten, and she had two kids from the LGBTQIA+ youth group she works at with her. Very obviously queer and open about it teenagers.”
I was starting to see where this was headed and hissed through my teeth.
“Yeah,” Sierra confirmed my suspicion. “The guy got pissed and practically had a fit in the parking lot. Ruth calmed him down but also outed herself as bisexual in the process. Even Theo stood on the sidelines, ready to step in and I don’t know what, come out as whatever he is or maybe as an ally. I haven’t asked, ever, he’s too private. Anyway, that’s not the point.” She waved a hand and took a sip, obviously pissed off now. “Mr. Moneybags decided that he needed to think about his continuing contributions, and then, before he could figure it out officially…”
“Ruth died.” I sighed. “How much was his donation each year?”
“About twenty percent of all our donations.”
“Jesus…”
“Yeah.” Sierra took another sip and looked away. “I feel like it was my fault. If I hadn’t left my phone and wallet at home…”
“No, absolutely not. You’re not responsible for some old bigot’s assholery!” I frowned. “We’ll figure out how to fix this.” Before she could speak, I added, “Not with him, but the gap he’s left. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t appreciate an openly gay man running the place, after all.”
Sierra’s mouth twitched. “I mean, you’re not wrong. We have work to do with this place. Ask Theo about Ruth’s long-term plans, will you?” She finished her coffee and slid off the stool.
“You headed home?”
“Yeah, I live in town so it’s not far.”
I took her mug and put it in the sink with mine. “Drive safely!”
“Yup! See you tomorrow, boys!” she called to the others.
Once she was gone, I went to sit with them again.
“She’s so great,” River said. “I feel happy just having her around.”
“Yeah, same. I have a feeling that’s the kind of energy we’re going to need here.”
Chapter 6
Theo
