“I don’t wear perfume, you freak. That idea is borderline crazy, by the way.”
“No, it isn’t! I did it when I was dating this one guy. He absolutely loved it,” Vick said, totally proud of herself. “For you, well, you always smell like vanilla and Rome’s gotta know it. He probably smells vanilla and runs the other way to avoid interacting with you.”
“Feeling’s mutual.” Katie gave me a she’s-crazy look.
I turned to Vick in the back, “You and Katie aren’t being very grateful that he is letting us use the truck.”
“Grateful for what?” Katie snorted. “He has another one. It’s not like we are putting him in some bind.”
“Actually, I’m pretty sure he has three vehicles now,” Vick pointed out and then turned contemplative. “Remind me why you haven’t exclusively claimed that man, Brey. He’s hot and totally …”
“Annoying as fuck,” Katie finished.
I rolled my eyes and smiled as they filled the silence with their bickering.
When we arrived, Vick looked a little disappointed and I knew why. Where I volunteered wasn’t a large, beautiful building or a fancy facility. Instead what looked like a little farm house sat on one of the green hills that rolled on and on until they finally met the bright blue sky on the horizon.
“They’re waiting inside.” I motioned to Vick and she straightened her T-shirt as if she was preparing for the worst. I sighed and led both my friends toward the front porch.
Before we even made it there, a scrawny little girl with brown hair down to her waist came running out in her signature purple shoes. The shoes were worn down and didn’t match her blue T-shirt and jean shorts.
Yet, not one of us could talk her out of wearing those shoes ever.
Ollie had a stubborn side. One that, I would guess, had come from a few years of being surrounded by other children here at the home. That, and probably having to deal with a mother not many of us understood. That woman let men through her house like her doorway was a merry go round. She worked unknown jobs and unknown hours. It was always hell getting a hold of her.
Yet, Ollie showed up on her own at the home everyday. Her mother had done something right to raise such a responsible kid.
The little seven-year-old flew at me like a bullet and didn’t slow down at all when she jumped into my arms.
“You’re here!” she exclaimed.
I laughed. “Of course. I told you I was coming again this week.”
She beamed at me, then turned her little brown eyes on Katie and Vick.
“Hey, you little tyrant,” Katie said, hands on her hips.
That little ball of energy extended her arms out to Katie, ready for her next hug, and Katie showed her rarest side by snuggling the little one right out of my arms. “Katie! Jasmine wants hair like yours but her momma said no.”
“Probably for the best, Ollie,” Katie responded.
Ollie dropped the subject as she eyed Vick. She leaned back over with her arms out toward me. I sat her on my hip and started toward the porch again, knowing the group was waiting for us.
Vick didn’t say a word as Ollie whispered to me, “Who is that?”
Neither of them were great at introducing themselves to one another. Ollie was nervous around new faces and Vick could talk to just about anyone her age. She didn’t know how to talk to children at all though.
I sighed as we reached the front porch, set Ollie on her feet, and turned her toward Vick. She hid behind my leg but peeked out. “Ollie, this is Vick. She’s a really good friend of mine and wanted to hang out with all of you today.”
Vick fidgeted in her designer skinny jeans and looked ready to bolt. Instead, she stuck out her hand and practically yelled, “Hi, Ollie. I’m Vick.”
Ollie jumped and gripped my leg tighter. She looked up at me and whispered, “Why is she yelling?”
I tried not to laugh as I glanced at Katie who had her hand over her mouth as she tried to keep her snickers quiet. “She does that when she’s nervous,” I said, trying to warm Ollie up to the idea of Vick. “Why don’t you ask her why she is nervous?”
Ollie’s eyes narrowed as if she was trying to figure out if I was lying, then they swung towards Vick’s hand. She stepped up and took it, shaking it vigorously. “Why are you so nervous, Vick?”
Vick glanced at both of us, eyes pleading for help but I let her answer honestly. These children needed honesty most. “Well, um, I’ve never been here before. I want you all to like me, but I don’t know if I’ll be someone you’ll like.”