“Fly high and reach the stars.”
“That’s right kiddo. Love you.”
“Love you Lottie, see you after school.” He lifts off and heads into the building in a sprint. A soft laughter escapes me. I head back to the highway to drive twenty minutes to work. Mostly today I’m going to be checking in with the fall festival vendors and volunteers, checking in with the case managers on supervision, my typical end of the week duties.
I’ll admit that fall around this time is beautiful, still nice enough weather for Finn and I to go walking around downtown and to the local grocery stores. It’s hard not to get lost in our thoughts during these drives to work. Some days I wonder if I get by sneaking him out of school and just enjoy more days like this. I continue to daydream on the way, but before I forget, I call Brayden.
After a couple of rings, “Girl, you got two minutes.” I hear the fabulous voice of a great friend of mine. Brayden has been partnering with me in the school system since I started at the foundation. At first, we bickered like enemies and pain in our asses. But something switched over to how quickly he had become a friend and my side counselor and once in a while my wingman when he and I were on the prowl for men. Aside from Aunt Lilly, he is one of the only people that I trust immensely with Finn.
“Nah, you’ll give me more because you love me.” I reply
“That would require that I have a heart.” He’s allowed to banter with me.
“Oh, Tin man, it will be beat again.” I retorted back. I hear his laughter in the end. “Tomorrow. Finn wanted to hang with you before and I guess an hour beforehand just come over, he wants to help.”
“Why am I not surprised?” He chuckles for the phone.
“Because my nephew has a heart of gold and I would murder anyone who would try to take that away from him.” A slight murderous for the morning time.
“You would be correct. Alright will do. Are there going to be any potentials there?”
“Potentials? Are you seriously going to use our community event as a dating site?”
“I mean, why wouldn’t I? Who knows who’s going to be there?”
I growl a bit on my end. “Fine, I won’t go hunting this time. Don’t worry I will take care of the boy.” He quickly says.
“Thanks babe. You’re the best,” I hang up the phone in time to park my truck into the parking lot.
The staff is slowly but surely growing accustomed to our new home with the new building. My heart beats with excitement as we build up the individual classrooms with STEM projects, art lessons, and music. So much more than anyone could imagine. We are trying to give these children more opportunities than they may get. I scan my key card once, and it beeps at me, screaming at me to scan again. I curse at it under my breath, hoping no one is around me to hear me. I do it a couple more times until it finally leads me through the hallway into the classrooms and into my office space.
I told the agency I didn’t need much, just a desk and space to store items, but being Program Manager for the department, they decided otherwise. Though the extra classroom space leads into my corner office that connects to the other half of the building where the developmental team lies. I don’t spend much time as I am hands on with the students and workers. Sometimes, I am finding myself more and more in my office now that we have moved into the new building.
I pass a couple of my advocates who immediately turn and follow in my footsteps. Like moths to a flame, they keep in step. I set my coffee and satchel down. Both of them look at me, waiting for the moment they can start asking questions.
“Lottie,” pipes one of them.
I hold up a finger as I take a sip of still hot coffee. My advocates know my routine or rule, no questions until I have settled or have drunk my first cup of coffee. One moment will not kill them. I set it back down and lean against the desk. Folding my arms across my chest. Staring back at them.
“Proceed,” I gesture at them to speak.
The two of them look at each other, stumbling and thinking of what they were going to say next. I’m not that intimidating, but with my piercing green eyes, and wild waves. Or maybe it’s the tattoos and piercings. The twins, Elaine and Amelia, are two of my case managers on the team, but they completely feed off of each other. Identical in looks and body language. I can see the sweat beading down their temple. “Alright, what broke or who did it?”
There is a slight mumble that comes from Elaine, on the right. “We had a group of volunteers drop out.” she says mousy.
“Wait, what group?” I raise an eyebrow, keeping my cool. I promise I won't bite. Well, at least, not that hard.
“The scout troop. Apparently they all have a stomach bug.” The other one, Amelia pipes up.
I rub my temple, preventing a morning migraine and take a deep breath. I fold my hands, “Okay, I’ll see what I can do.” A light bulb popped in my head. “Excuse me for a moment.” I brush past them and make my way to the second floor to approach the one woman that may have a solution for me.
The clacking of my flats echo the empty hallway. I knock at her door. “Hey big boss lady.”
Teresa Bjorn, newly appointed director of the foundation and honestly, I couldn’t ask for a better person. Her passion drives it all. I turn on my charm and smile, as she peers through her glasses, and a soft smile on her face. She went through a tough time a few months back, something dealing with the previous Chief Financial Officer and the former now deceased Director. We weren’t told the official story, but something tells me that there was shady behind those events. Not my story to tell.
“Ms. Lottie, Ms. Lottie. Granting me with your presence. I am honored.” She eases back into her chair. The soft laughter, “Please have a seat.” She cleans off her desk. I take a seat in one of her familiar couches from when we were at the old building.
“What can I do for you?” she asks, pushing her glasses on her head.
