Brit ends up staying the rest of the night, and together, we finish the bottle of wine. Afterwards, I end up taking a long shower to wash away the day. The day is getting to me.
Sleep finds me easily when I hit the pillow. I pray for a dreamless sleep, but it doesn’t appear to be in the cards tonight. All my anxieties rush into my head, creating nightmares from another planet. I swear I can feel the flames on my skin. I see a looming shadow, nothing but the shape. I scream, reaching for help, but no one hears me. My screams are quiet, but loud in my ear. I feel a wetness, stirring me from sleep. I blink, opening my eyes to Seamus’ wet tongue. I laugh, giving him a pat on the head as a thank you for saving me. Seamus snuggles his nose against my hand, grounding me as I attempt to find sleep.
The rest of the week is somewhat productive. My training sessions with my intake specialists are complete. I’ve run reports to apply for state funding, gotten heckled by the girls, had virtual meetings for city committees, and even helped out the hotline when it got busy.
It’s around three in the afternoon by the time I look at my calendar. “Reva, do we have anything else on the schedule?” I ask. I squint my eyes at the screen.
“No, I think that’s all on the agenda. Why? You trying to cut out early today?” Reva shouts from her desk. While my office is attached to the hotline area, there are two doors that separate my office. This building used to be an old shipping place, so I have a bathroom and shower near my office. I get privacy when I’m in meetings but sometimes, I feel secluded. Reva’s desk is near the first door, so I only see her when it’s intentional.
She walks down the hallway towards my office. “Let me guess. You want to run by the center?” I swirl around in my chair.
“You got it! You want to come along? I’ve wanted to check in with Ms. Aggie and see how everyone’s doing,” I say as I pack up my backpack to head out for the day.
“Fine, I’ll go with you, but I might cut out early,” Reva shrugs, walking back to her desk.
“Got a hot date or something?”
She looks too coy for it to be anything else. “Maybe, maybe not.”
I can’t help but rib her about it. “Uh huh, another online dating match?”
Silence falls between us. I’m right “Called it. Do I need to be on standby?”
“Maybe. We’ll see, Tess”
Reva and I say our goodbyes and head to the Center. While we don’t have enough shelters in the area, we at least have a couple day centers that provide different services. The one near the city is highly utilized, with countless people in need of help. I like to volunteer my time outside of the office to check in and talk with Ms. Aggie.
Ms. Aggie is a middle-aged black woman, but if you ask me, she’s the fountain of youth. She’s a patron saint in this community. She runs the Center like clockwork and nothing gets past her. When I first came to Raleigh, Jeremiah and Ms. Aggie were the people who helped me acclimate. They’ve truly opened my eyes to the needs of these people.
Reva and I park as close as we can before walking to the Center. “You think Ms. Aggie is gonna be there today?” Reva asks.
“I’ll wait to answer that,” I answer, reaching for the front door.
“TERESA SAOIRSE BJORN, as I live and breathe. She’s graced us with her presence. Child! Get yourself in here,” a booming voice flies through the doors.
“There’s your answer.” I open the door to be greeted by a vision in plum. I swear, the fountain of youth. I’m wrapped in a warm, strong hug before I can get anything more out.
“Ms. Aggie, do we have to use my government name?” I squeeze her back with just as much love.
“And you brought Reva. Tessa have to drag you or something?” Reva and Ms. Aggie are like oil and vinegar sometimes. I laugh. “No, she came all on her own.”
“You ever going to give me credit for coming?” Reva reaches for a hug, but slowly gets denied. Ms. Aggie gives her a look like when your mother knows you’re lying and she’s just waiting for you to explode.
“Y’all come to help out and check in?” Ms. Aggie walks us through the hallways to the main room. It’s supper time, so everyone’s in line for food. I inwardly sigh. Something’s been eating at me all week, and only one person may know what to do.
“Ms. Aggie, I have Ms. Jean’s new girl. She got lost, but I found her.” Jeremiah walks me into the center to meet Ms. Aggie.
“Jeremiah has a knack for picking up lost puppies. I’m Ms. Aggie. Jeremiah’s harmless, just a pain in my behind sometimes.” Ms. Aggie extends a hand for me to shake.
“He said he’s to be trusted. Said you’re a good judge of character.” I shake her hand.
“He’s one of the good ones. Listen child, I’ve been doing this for years and Jeremiah here is godsend. Be a good one to keep in contact with.”
“That’s what I told her, Ms. Aggie. Might take her under my wing.” Jeremiah smiles at me.
“Actually, that’s not a bad idea. Nothing gets past him here. Between him and me, we know everything. You’ll get used to it, honey child.” Ms. Aggie leads me around the center. It’s not much, but it looks like it does wonders for the community. Maybe they’re right; if I get out of my shell and immerse myself, maybe I can make an impact.
“Look child, you’ll get eaten alive out here. You’ll be taken advantage of, and you seem like a good girl. Stick with me, hunny, and I’ll educate you on this community. Maybe one day, you’ll go places and be like me,” Ms. Aggie says to me. “Don’t give up. Be a voice to those who don’t have one.”