Grace waved her off. “It’s fine.”
“No, you’re going to need it,” I insisted. Things could get messy between handling the food and cleaning tables. I slid the apron over her head and tied it at the back.
“Ready?” I asked, looking at Grace hesitantly. I didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable, but I did think this experience would be good for her.
“As I’ll ever be.” She smirked as I grabbed the boxes and gestured for her to follow me inside.
We walked through the kitchen, and I greeted a few familiar faces with a hello. Setting down the boxes, I rested my hands on her shoulders as she surveyed the place. “Time to get to work, baby.” I flashed her a cheeky smile, and she rolled her eyes and laughed.
Before heading into the main dining hall, I needed to warn Grace about a few things. As she turned away from me, I grabbed her arm so she could face me once more. “Hey,” I said, smiling at her. I was grateful she came with me. When she told me she wanted to, I was shocked, but in a good way.
“Hey, yourself,” she replied, pouting her lips a little.
I couldn’t help but give her a peck. She was teasing me after all. I rubbed my hands up and down her arms. “I’m so glad you came with me, Grace. Truly, it means the world,” I whispered because we didn’t need an audience.
She nodded while I continued. “I just want you to be careful today. Some of the people here get a little rowdy. And it’s not their fault, necessarily. They’ve been through a lot of shit and don’t really trust newbies. If anyone says anything disrespectful or, worse yet, tries to touch you, please tell me. But I don’t wantyou to worry because I plan to be by your side the whole time, okay?” I breathed out.
Grace put a palm on my cheek. “You worry too much.”
Now it was my turn to laugh. “Look who’s talking.”
Taking her hand in mine, we walked through the double doors leading to the dining hall.
The shelter was still very crowded at this time of day. It was just before breakfast, so everybody hung around for a hot meal until most went out for the day. Some searched for jobs or places to live, but ultimately most searched for something better than the hand they were dealt.
“Hey, CJ!” Vladimir greeted. “Who is the pretty lady?” He was an older man who only had one leg and was confined to a wheelchair. He wasn’t forthcoming about it, so nobody knew what had happened. Even though he spoke broken English that sometimes sounded like gibberish, Vlad always put everyone in good spirits.
“Vlad, my friend, this is Grace—my girlfriend and our newest helper.” I added, “Don’t try to steal her from me, old man.”
“No promises.” He huffed, rolling over to shake her hand. The flirt even kissed the back of it.
Grace was a great sport about his gallantry and leaned into him. “I don’t know, Caleb … I love an accent.” We all got a good chuckle at her comment, the tops of Vlad’s cheeks turning a rosy color at her feigned flirtation.
The rest of the morning went smoothly. While I spent lots of time mingling with some old friends, Grace made some new ones. Not once did I see a look of disgust or pity cross her face. If anything, she looked awed by everyone who she spoke to. Once breakfast time arrived, we stood side by side as we served the inhabitants of the shelter. Grace was on hashbrown duty, and I was on bacon duty.
As the line passed by, plates being filled with the most important meal of the day, everybody appeared happy to see a new, friendly face. Grace seemed so comfortable, cheerful, and carefree as she doled out food and wished them well.
And all the while, I watched her, feeling so fucking proud of her. I sensed from the moment she walked through the door at Bar that Grace was different. Different from the typical Upper East Side girl who wore fancy clothes and had a boatload of money. She was so much more, and she didn’t give herself enough credit.
After I cleaned up our stations a little, I walked over to Grace who was sitting with a young mom and her infant. She was listening intently to whatever the woman was saying.
“I’ll definitely come back,” I heard Grace promise.
The young mother stood from the bench. “I have to go nurse him. Please do, Grace.”
“Look at you,” I cheered once we were alone.
Grace shrugged, her smile timid. Before I could move to sit beside her, all of a sudden, two arms circled my waist, embracing me from behind.
“Hello, stranger,” a sultry voice greeted as the arms tightened.
Grace’s expression morphed into one of surprise and recognition?
“Lucy?” Grace asked the statuesque brunette who had me in her grips.
“You two know each other?” I asked, looking between Grace and Lucy with amusement.
Grace nodded. “Yes, I met her at the coffee shop my first day in Grand Haven. She gave me directions.”
