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Half an hour later, Calvin and I are exploring the beautiful property. The owner had to step away a few minutes ago for a phone call, and I’ve never been more grateful. I hate being watched, and now I can tour this property at my own leisure. Well, with Calvin, too, but his presence hasn’t bothered me since we cleared the air in the car.

He’s been at my side, sometimes asking questions, sometimes viewing the property.

And there’s a lot to take in.

This place is better than I imagined.

This building is already broken out into small apartments with full kitchens, a bathroom, a living room, and a bedroom. Some apartments have a second bedroom, which would be perfect for single mothers. Also, based on the existing floor plan, it wouldn’t be difficult to make some additional changes to the interior layout as well.

The exterior is also gorgeous. The facility lies on several acres of flat land. Perfect for children playing outside and also for communal gardens where residents have access to grow their own food in-season.

My mind is spinning with so many ideas. I can’t keep track.

It’s perfect.

The location on Cape Cod is also excellent. It’s not on waterfront property nor within walking distance to the ocean, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s within walking distance of a playground, as well as a quaint downtown where there are many unique storefronts and restaurants. The perfect location for jobs and errands where a car isn’t a roadblock. It’s just a few short blocks away from a multitude of opportunities.

And that’s what this place is: a new way to expand our reach and help more women.

I love our women’s shelter in Boston’s South End, but this place would be different. It would serve more women, but also a different purpose.

Our location in Boston is meant to help those women get back on their feet, a temporary landing spot. But in this location, I want them to feel at home and create more of a permanent living place.

If we get this property, our goal wouldn’t be a temporary shelter but an oasis instead. We would offer affordable housing to women who are victims of domestic violence at barely any cost to them. This place would be home.

There are so many possibilities that I’m afraid to get ahead of myself. This place may be too good to be true, just like others before, but maybe it’s okay for a girl to dream now and then.

Chapter Twenty-One

Scarlett

Iwiggle in the seat, shimmying my body; I have too much energy to be contained in my tiny sedan right now.

Calvin is sitting in my passenger seat, a smile glued to his face, and it’s contagious. I can’t stop smiling either.

Our viewing went awesome. The person we met didn’t give us a thing to go off of, but a girl can hope.

It’s nice to be positive for a change.

I step on the gas and flip on my blinker to merge onto a busy street, turning my head back to ensure I’m in the clear.

The engine revs up, but my car doesn’t quite accelerate the way it usually does. A queasy sensation hits my gut, and that’s when my old car lets out a large sputtering sound.

I pull over into the right breakdown lane for a few feet before I can no longer accelerate.

Crap.

“I’m no car expert, but I think your car is toast.”

I take a deep breath, hands still on the steering wheel. I turn my head to find that Calvin is still, in fact, right next to me.

For some reason, I forgot I wasn’t alone. I’m unsure if that’s comforting or not. I guess we will see.

Before I can think of what to say, Calvin is pulling out his wallet and reaching for a small white card. He picks up his phone and then glances at the card every few seconds to enter a number, before putting his phone to his ear.

I’m calling for help, he mouths.

I nod in return, my hands still on the steering wheel like I’m going to drive far away, which I clearly can’t do, even if I wanted to.