Camri had insisted that each of the rooms have a window. “Even if we use them for nothing more than offices,” she had told her brother and fiancé, “we’re going to want the extra light.”
Kenzie smiled at the memory. Camri was good at getting what she wanted, and the windows had served them well. Life would have been much worse if they’d all had to take up residence in one of the relief camps. Tent life was not at all appealing, and neither was the idea of living under the army’s thumb. Although at the moment, it seemed the entire city was obliged to do the military’s bidding.
Once she had transferred the clean sheets to the rinse water, Kenzie put new dirty sheets into the soapy water. Sheets were a small luxury that Camri had decided on when planning for the warehouse to become a home for women and children who were down on their luck. She had thought it would add a homey touch to the simple cots. Kenzie admitted that it did, but it also added extra work. Especially since Camri had decided that sheets needed to be washed once a week. She had no doubt read somewhere that this was the optimum schedule for the best hygiene. Camri was college educated and seemed to have a vast amount of knowledge about many things. Kenzie admired her genius, although at times she found Camri more than a little exasperating.
A shriek of laughter drew her attention as a group of children ran around the corner of the warehouse. Three little girls pursued a scruffy dog. The brown-and-white mongrel held a ball in its mouth and apparently was winning a game of keep-away. Kenzie couldn’t help but smile. In the midst of disaster, it was nice to see such happiness.
With her work done, Kenzie decided to grab a quick bite to eat. She made her way to the opposite side of the warehouse, where their outdoor dining and kitchen had been arranged.
“Miss Gifford,” a woman called from where she sat at one of the tables.
Kenzie went to her. “Yes, Mrs. Clark?”
The gray-haired woman held up a bowl of oatmeal and gave her a grandmotherly smile. “I know you haven’t eaten yet.”
Her kindness touched Kenzie. She took the bowl and smiled. “Thank you. I wanted to get the first batch of sheets washed.”
“Well, you needn’t worry with anything else.” Mrs. Clark rose from the bench. “Gladys and I will take it in hand.”
Kenzie put the bowl of cereal on the table, then reached out to help the old woman up. The long trestle tables and benches suited the feeding of a great many people but were difficult for the elderly to manage.
“Thank you, dear. Now you sit down and eat. You’re far too skinny.”
It was useless to argue. Kenzie gave a nod. “I just put the last of the sheets in the wash water. You may need to add some more soap.”
Mrs. Clark cackled. “Now ain’t that something? A sweet young girl like you tellin’ the likes of me how to wash clothes. Been washin’ them since I was able to walk. My ma saw nothing good to be gained in idleness.”
Mrs. Andrews appeared from inside the warehouse. She was a short, stocky woman whose piercing blue eyes missed nothing. “I’m ready to tend to the laundry with you, Minnie. I had to speak to Penelope. She has her little granddaughters with her today. It seems their mama and papa are working to clean bricks. Anyway, I told her it was probably best if she helped with something else and we managed the laundry.”
“Good idea, Gladys. I wouldn’t want those little ones around the fire.” Mrs. Clark nodded her approval. They continued chatting about the matter as they left Kenzie to her breakfast.
The oatmeal tasted bland. At least it wasn’t smoky. Kenzie sprinkled a bit of sugar onto the cereal and dug in. Milk and cream were luxuries they couldn’t afford, even when they could be found, so Kenzie did her best to swallow the thick porridge without it. She fondly recalled breakfast at Caleb’s house, where his housekeeper, Mrs. Wong, would fix bacon and eggs, biscuits and gravy, and even the occasional pot of oatmeal. The difference between her cereal and this, however, was like night and day. Mrs. Wong put cinnamon and other spices in her oatmeal, as well as a generous helping of raisins and cream.
“I’ve been going over the books since five, and they still prove only one thing,” Camri said, joining Kenzie. She put a cup of coffee in front of Kenzie.
“What’s that?” Kenzie continued eating.
Camri frowned. “Coffee, of course.”
“No, I meant what do the books prove?”
“Oh, that. We need more supplies. We have fifty-seven people, not counting ourselves and Judith, and of course Caleb and Patrick.” She shook her head, and her hastily pinned hair threatened to come undone. Camri began fussing with the hairpins. “Caleb is going to speak with Judge Winters and see if he can get us some help from the army without them thinking they need to send someone here to run things. The judge is good friends with General Funston, and since he’s in charge, Caleb is almost certain they can work something out.”
“What if they can’t?” Kenzie asked before she could stop herself. Camri tended to worry enough without her adding to the strain.
“That was my thought exactly. Caleb told me I shouldn’t fret about it until we had an answer one way or the other. Patrick told me that no matter what happened, he was sure I’d find a way to manage. As if he thinks I can call down food from heaven.”
Kenzie couldn’t help chuckling. “Well, we have seen you do stranger things.”
Camri straightened. “This took us all by surprise. No one expected such complete devastation. So many people have nothing to go back to. Providing a cot and blanket, a warm meal—even if it is watery soup—and a change of clothes means the world.”
“It does, and you’re managing it all very well, so stop worrying. As you once told me, the energy spent in worry is much more productively spent in prayer.”
Camri sighed and finally finished with her hair. “I know you’re right. I just want to do whatever I can to help these people.”
“As do Judith and I. Thank the Lord she knows how to cook. We might have had to endure my cooking, which even in the best of circumstances is only fair in quality. I can’t imagine trying to do it the way she has—with so little and for so many.”
“She is a godsend to be sure, and she comforts Caleb.”
