“Well, he’s welcome to come play any time. And if you’re telling the truth, and he’s the one who does all this fabulous baking, he’s more than welcome to drop some of that off any time too.” She smiles as she takes a big bite out of a cookie. “He’s quite a talented baker.”
“It’s his stress relief,” I tell her. “He’s having girl problems.” So am I, not that I’m going to let her in on that secret. Plus, if tonight goes well, maybe I won’t have those problems anymore.
“Girl problems?” Winnie’s eyebrows shoot up. “Is the poor girl blind? Has she seen him? I’m going to have to remind myself of how married I am every time he comes in here. Not that you’re not also a good-looking guy,” she stutters when she catches me staring. “You’re just not really my type. Too hippie granola for me.”
“Hippie granola?” I laugh. I can honestly say that’s the first time anyone has called me that.
“Yeah, you know.” She gestures to me, taking in my whole body. “The long hair, man-bun, scruffy face, worn jeans, old sneakers thing you’ve got going on. I can just picture you in little yoga shorts wearing prayer beads while you meditate.”
Hmmm, maybe it’s time to rethink my whole look, if that’s what she gets from what I wear. I’ve always been attached to my ability to get around unnoticed, but the people in Westborough are pretty respectful of the other guys in the band, even Connor and Ryder, who are the most recognizable of all of us. I bet I’d have less trouble from fans than I thought.
“Huh, I don’t even know what to say to that. If I have short hair next time you see me, though, you know why.” I laugh when her mouth drops and her eyes widen.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it. You’re just fine the way you are.”
“Don’t worry about it. You’re not the first person, nor will you be the last, to have an opinion on how I look. I’ve had more than one stylist tell me I should change my image. You’re just the first person to call me hippie granola.” I put my hand on her shoulder. “Now, let’s talk about your interviews this week. Anything specific you want me to do while you’re talking to people in your office?”
“Nope, business as usual. One of the part-timers is going to be here with you. Between the two of you, everything will be fine. I don’t know what I’m going to do when you leave, Aiden. Having you volunteer so much when you’re home is the only thing that lets any of us take vacations. And the money you donate helps us pay salaries, and keep this place up and running. I wouldn’t feel like it was a lie to say that you’re personally responsible for allowing us to get so many families to safety these last few years. You’re the best thing that ever happened to this place.”
Winnie is always trying to get me to accept awards, or at least to be publicly recognized for what I do here at the shelter, but I refuse. That’s not the reason I do it, plus it makes me uncomfortable to be rewarded for something that I only do because of my personal history. But every once in a while she can’t hold back and has to thank me personally, and let me know how much she appreciates it. This place needs money to survive and I give as much as I can to the cause. It’s not as big a deal as she likes to make it out to be.
“Yeah yeah, thanks Win. You’re just trying to butter me up so I make sure Johnny brings more cookies.” I give her a little wink.
“Who needs more cookies?” Johnny asks, running to hide behind us during yet another game of tag. “These kids are taking it out of me. I’m not sure I’ll ever have enough energy to bake again.”
Two kids sneak around us, catching Johnny from both sides, leaving him with no escape. He tags me, making me it, forcing me to join the game. Winnie heads back into the building to check on the moms and leaves us to entertain the kids for the last hour of the day. After that, the kids will go back inside to their respective moms, and to helping with dinner, doing homework, and settling in for the night.
Even though this place is just a temporary shelter, it is a home for a time for these kids, and we try to make it as nice as possible. Each family has their own space here, but there is a communal kitchen where everyone pitches in to make dinner, like a big supportive extended family.
When it’s six o’clock, Winnie comes out and calls the kids to come in.
“Thanks again for coming in today,” she tells me. “And thank you for bringing the cookies and the baker. I can’t remember the last time the kids had this much fun out here. Johnny, you must have endless energy. You played tag for so long I think I’m going to need a nap now.”
“Thanks for letting me join Aiden today,” he says. “I had a lot of fun. The kids were great.”
“Well, come back whenever you want. Their moms are going to be so happy with how well those kids sleep tonight, thanks to you. I’m sure every one of them will appreciate that more than you know.”
Johnny and I follow Winnie back through the building and out to the front door. She waves goodbye and goes back to her office after locking the door behind us.
“Thanks for that,” Johnny says. “Kids are so good at making you forget all your problems. It’s hard to be sad about a girl when a bunch of kids are chasing you around trying to tag you.”
“True,” I say, unlocking the doors of my car. “But you’re going to have to figure that Becca situation out, eventually.”
“I’m thinking maybe it’s time to just let it go.” He sighs and changes the subject. “But what about you? What’s up with Rhea?”
“Actually, I’m meeting her for dinner tonight. So I need to get home so I can shower and change before I go meet her. I’m kind of freaking out.”
“Aww, that’s so cute,” Johnny clasps his hands up by his cheek and flutters his eyelashes at me. “You’re nervous.”
“Shut up.” I laugh.
“I’ve never seen you date anyone, man. This chick must be pretty special.”
I don’t really want to talk about this with Johnny, so I just nod my head. He gets the hint and drops the subject, and we ride the rest of the way to my place in silence.
“Well, good luck tonight,” Johnny says, opening the door on his car. “See you around.”
I wave as he pulls out of the driveway, then turn and head into the house. I don’t have a lot of time to get ready, so I need to be quick. Hopefully, I’m able to clean myself up enough that she feels like forgiving me for being such an asshole the other day. If not, then worrying about whether it’s even possible for me to have a relationship with someone doesn’t even matter.
