by Iris Bolling
"How would you go about doing that?"
Ruby held the phone away from her ear and looked at the number. She brought it back. "Who is this?"
"Devin Upton."
She closed her eyes and whispered a low curse. "Damn."
"I've had that feeling before. Like I've put my foot in my mouth so how do I take it out without cutting it off?" He nodded. "Yes, I have been in your shoes."
Ruby took a deep breath. "Mr. Upton," she paused. "I am so sorry. I did not mean to say those things to you. I do not know you. And to be honest, I don't think I want to get to know you or your company."
"I think that is a bit unfair since you just about broke my arm earlier today. I would think the least you could do is to sit down and talk with me for a minute to discuss Aaron's House."
Ruby sighed. "I’m very sorry about your arm. Please tell me it's not broken."
Hearing the concern in the woman's voice made Devin feel bad. His arm was sore but certainly not broken. He didn't mean to insinuate that is was. "No, it's not."
He heard the genuine sigh of relief in her voice.
"Please accept my apology for injuring your arm. I was in a hurry to get away from that Ms. Heifer who was handling the interview."
"Who? Never mind. Ms. Lassiter I would like the opportunity to speak with you. Are you free to meet with me? I have no problem coming to you."
There was some hesitation. "Well, I'm due at the shelter by five-thirty. And with the weather threatening to change to snow I suspect we will be busy."
"Where is the shelter located?"
"At the corner of the Boulevard and Cary."
"The Cary Street Shelter?"
"Yes," Ruby nodded.
"I'm not far from there. I could meet you there at five. We could talk for a few minutes and we'll see where it goes from there. Would that work?"
Hesitation again. "I'll see you there at five. How will I know who you are?"
"I'm the one with the broken arm," he teased. She gasped. "I'm joking. See you at five." Devin hung up the telephone and for some strange reason found himself laughing.
CHAPTER TEN
"There are so many children," Devin looked around surprised. The woman at the desk looked up. "The school bus just dropped them off." She smiled. "May I help you with something?"
The children were running around. Some older boys had grabbed a book from one of the smaller children and were throwing it around. A woman walked in from the back and began yelling at the boys. The boys seemed undaunted by the woman and her threats to cut their heads off, for they continued to tease the small boy more.
The book sailed through the air again just as a woman in the best-looking jeans he had ever seen walked by him. The book was caught in mid-air by the woman who had walked right past him.
The place where he couldn't hear himself think a minute ago was suddenly silent. Not a creature was moving not even a mouth.
"Ikill, Dollar and Coke, the office, now." The voice wasn't loud or demeaning but the boys moved as if lightening had struck them.
"Yes ma'am," they each replied.
She then walked over to the little boy who was crying. Bending down, she gave the little boy his book said a few words, then waited. The little boy threw himself into her arms. She picked him up and rubbed his back. As the woman turned towards them with the child in her arms, her eyes were closed and she spoke softly. Devin could see this was not an act. She was genuinely concerned for the child.
The little boy had put his head in the crook of her neck and it seemed as if he had no intention of moving anytime soon. The woman embracing the child opened her eyes and smiled.
Devin had a sharp intake of breath. He swore he was looking into the eyes of an angel. Her hair was parted in the middle and hanging to her shoulders. Her skin was the color of a Hershey kiss, and her, lips were "Ruby Red," he wanted to laugh. "Who does that anymore?"
"What?" the woman at the desk asked.
Devin had forgotten the woman was standing there talking to him. "I'm sorry," he turned back to her. "Would you point out Ruby Lassiter?"
"She's right there holding Tyler."
Devin shook his head then turned back to the woman with the child. "Of course she is."
He watched as she directed the other children to an area at the far end of the wide space. She then instructed an older child on how to set up the divider. She took two other older children, placed three younger ones with them and began what appeared to be homework sessions. As she carried Tyler, she approached the woman who had been yelling at the boys earlier. The two started walking towards the front where he stood. Suddenly the place that was in chaos when he arrived was now thriving with constructive activity.
"I'm afraid she may be a minute. Tyler isn't going to let her go for a while. Then Ruby will have to get dinner started and served. I'm afraid she is going to be a little busy until the other volunteer arrives."
"How long has she been working here?"
"Oh, she's not an employee. She's a volunteer here. Lord, Ruby's been doing that since I've been here. And that's been at least five years."
"You've been living here for five years?"
"I don't live here. I'm the Director."
Devin looked at the woman then at Ruby. "You're the Director and she's the volunteer?"
"Yes," the woman nodded.
Something wasn't right with that picture, but it wasn't his place to say anything. Ruby stopped at the desk. "Mrs. Greenwood, may I use your office to speak with the boys?"
"Of course."
"Also, I brought some items for the children. They're in my car. I asked Victoria to get them for me if it's okay with you." She was reaching into her purse, but having a difficult time with the boy still clinging to her. Finally, she hoisted the young boy into his arms. "Tyler go to this nice man."
Devin looked at Tyler and Tyler looked at him. Neither said a word, but Tyler must have decided it was okay for he put his head on Devin’s shoulder without making a sound. When seconds ticked by and there was still no sound from the child, Ruby stopped digging for her keys then slowly turned to him. When Devin looked up all three women was staring at him with mouths gaped open.
Ruby finally pulled her keys out of the purse and gave them to Victoria. "Everything should be in the trunk," she said as she reached for the child.
Devin shook his head. "He's fine."
Ruby stared at the man. "Don't tell me. You must be Devin Upton."
He smiled then extended his hand. "Ruby Lassiter."
The man was a reincarnated Joe Lassiter if she ever saw one. Oh he wasn't as tall as her father but he was at least six-three, a solid two hundred pounds, beautiful light brown eyes, and the juiciest lips she had ever seen on a man. Ruby shook the man’s hand and was overwhelmed with his strength. Not the strength in a handshake, but the strength from within. She could feel the confidence in who he was and what he expected out of this life. It was also clear "You are going to make somebody some beautiful babies."
"Mmm hmm," Mrs. Greenwood agreed.
"You can let my hand go now," Ruby smiled. "And I'll take Tyler off your shoulder."
"I think he's asleep," Devin glanced at the boy. "How old is he?"
"Tyler just turned six," Ruby turned. "At least let's go into the office, where you can have a seat and we might get in a quick conversation."
"I'd appreciate that." He followed her into the small office where the three older boys sat waiting.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
They all looked up as Ruby walked in the door.
"Ikill please let Mr. Upton have a seat."
"Ms. Ruby we are sorry for teasing Tyler. It won't happen again," Coke declared. "Ain't that right Dollar?"
"No ma'am it won't happen again I promise."
Ruby looked at each of the boys. "We are our brother's keeper." Their heads rolled upward as each of them stood. They all spoke in unison.
"We are our brother's keeper. We are to never harm but cons
tantly build each other up."
"What does that mean Coke?"
"Aww Ms. Ruby do I have to?"
Ruby simply raised an eyebrow.
"Aww man," the boy sighed. "As the oldest in the center it is my joy to protect, teach and inspire all to be as good if not better than I."
"Did you think for one moment how Tyler felt when you teased him? The person he looks up to the most."
"No ma'am."
"You thought it was a quick laugh to pick on someone smaller than you. You are no longer Tyler's protector."
The boy looked crest fallen. "Ms. Ruby I didn't mean to hurt him."
"That may be true Coke, but you did hurt him." She shrugged "I'm not sure he can trust you to protect him now."
"I'll make it up to him."
She shook her head. "He will Ms. Ruby," Dollar added. "I'll help him."
"What are you going to do differently, Coke?"
"I ain't going to let nobody touch him," the boy proclaimed.
"That's right," Coke added. "If they get through Coke, then they gonna have to go through me next."
"You know my word is my bond, Ms. Ruby," Ikill stepped forward. "Us three," he nodded his head. "We got Lil man. We ain't mean no disrespect, but I can see what you saying, he's little and don't know we was just joking."
"Do I have to turn in my protector's card Ms. Ruby?" Coke asked with his head hanging down.
Ruby looked at each of the boys and sighed. "Let me see your card," she held her hand out.
She wrote the word "temp" on it. "I'm going to let you keep it for a probationary period."
"What dat mean?"
"You have a few days to prove you can protect Tyler," Devin stated then thought about what he did. "Right Ms. Ruby?"
Ruby looked from Devin to Coke. "Right. You have ten days. If you do right by Tyler and the other children you get a new protector's card."
The boys looked at each other excited. "Man you get a new card."
Coke reached out and took Tyler from Devin's shoulder. "When I get my card back I’m gonna help y'all get one too."
"Thank you gentlemen." The boys left the office in reprimand, but in good spirits.
"They are going to bug you until they get a new card," Devin continued to watch the boys.
Ruby watched him and she was still watching him when Victoria walked in with the bags from her car. "It's snowing already?"
"Yes ma'am and it's coming down thick," Victoria said as she gave her the keys. "You want me to start dinner?"
"Yes please. I'll be in the kitchen in a minute," Ruby smiled at the young mother of three.
Victoria looked from the man sitting in the office to Ruby. "I bet y'all would make some pretty babies together."
"Thank you Victoria," Ruby took the keys. "I'll meet you in the kitchen."
"All right, but I'm just saying, damn he's fine."
"Thank you Victoria. Good bye."
Victoria left the office as Ruby closed the door behind her. "I'm sorry for all of that." She sighed as she sat back behind the desk, which was loaded with case files. She stared at him. "How is your arm?"
He held it up showing the black hand brace. "Sprained, not broken."
"I see." She lowered her eyes, and then slowly looked directly at him. "Please forgive me for not looking before I stormed out of the room."
The sincerity in her eyes touched him in a way that made him want to make it all right for her. "Forgiven."
"Thank you," she smiled. "Now, what did you want to speak with me about?"
"Aaron's House," Devin said as he sat forward. "You've been vetted and remain at the top of our list for the Director's position. I came here to interview you for that purpose."
"Mr. Upton..."
"Devin, please."
"Okay, Devin, you seem like a nice enough person. But I have to tell you, the people on your staff aren't too nice. I'm not saying all of them, but that one you have handling your Human Resources department needs some help in the people skills area. I'm a pretty strong woman and she had me thinking twice about my belonging in the same room with her. What would she do with the people around her who are trying to get themselves together? I'm very protective of my people." She pointed out the door. "You see those people coming through that door? They are mine and I will not allow anyone to berate, belittle or be cruel to them in any way. I don't think your organization can say the same."
"I wasn't present at the meeting this morning. I can't speak on what took place. What I can do is ask you to look at our plans for Aaron's House. The programs we have slated to take place are to help the people who are walking through that door. I've watched you for the last thirty minutes turn chaos into structure. I need you to do that for Aaron's House." Devin stood and pulled out a card. He wrote on the back. "This is my offer. Before you say no, come to this address tomorrow around noon. Meet some of the people you will be working with. If you feel the same way, I'll move on to the next candidate. However, if we prove to be worthy, I would like for you to accept the position."
CHAPTER TWELVE
Ruby looked at the card, then flipped it over. "That is a very lucrative offer," her brow creased right in the middle. "You could build a few houses for that amount of money."
"The Upton Foundation is funding this project. We hope to get a few grants to assist in the future.
"Ruby," Mrs. Greenwood walked into the office. "The snow is getting bad. I'm going to leave things in your hands." She grabbed her coat and purse from the bottom drawer of her desk. "I will call in around midnight to check on things."
Ruby smiled. "I'll see you in the morning Mrs. Greenwood. Be safe."
"I will. Call if you need anything."
"Yes ma'am, have a good night."
"Don't tell me, Mrs. Greenwood is the Director here?"
"Yes, she is," Ruby began walking towards the door. "We are going to be getting crowded real soon. You should leave before the storm settles in."
"What about you?"
"Oh, I stay the night to help out with new arrivals."
"How many people are you anticipating?"
"The place can only hold seventy-five," Ruby said as she walked him to the door. She looked at the line that was already forming. "I'm sure we'll get twice that tonight. Most will have to be turned away."
"Ms. Ruby the lady in the kitchen is burning the bread,” A little girl yelled.
"I'll be right there."
"How many volunteers do you have?"
"Not enough," Ruby said as the young girl pulled her along.
"Come on Ms. Ruby before she burns the kitchen down."
"Take care of what you need to." Devin waved her off. "I can see myself out." Ruby turned her attention to the situation at hand as she disappeared around the corner.
Adjusting his jacket, he turned to leave, then froze. Waiting at the door was a line of at least thirty people that he could see. He turned to the desk. There was one person signing people in. Looking out the double glass doors he could see the snow was steady with no sign of letting up. He removed his jacket and walked around the desk.
"Do you have another sign in sheet? We could get two lines going to get them in faster."
"Sure," the woman reached under the clipboard to give him sign in sheets. "The name is Cheryl."
"Devin," he smiled as he pulled out a pen from his pocket. "How much do they need to fill out?"
"As much as possible. Full name is a must. We have to know who is in the building."
Devin nodded. "May I help the next person in line?"
To his dismay, there was a rush of people hurrying towards him.
"A single line, people. You know how this goes," Cheryl turned to him. "You have to be specific when addressing them. Each of them is the next person to the person in front of them." She grinned.
"Sorry," Devin smiled back. Then turned his attention to the line.
An hour later, the line was down to a trickle, but the facility was filled to the brim. He
began helping with cots and blankets until an argument broke out about a particular spot in the corner.
"It's my spot. I sleep here near the water cooler every night," the rough looking man with a few missing teeth said. "I want my spot."
"My family was here first," the other man argued as he stood in front of his two little boys and wife. My wife is pregnant and needs to be near the restrooms."
It seemed to Devin the old man was a regular while the younger man and his family were new to the shelter. The children stood behind their mother with fear etched on their faces. Devin saw the younger man trying to stand up for his family. He couldn't stand down. His pride was at stake. Devin looked around for an area for the family. That would be difficult, the place was packed. It would be easier to relocate the man. However, reading people the way he did, he knew the older man would probably cause more trouble than it would be worth.
Someone had alerted Ruby to the situation. She had just walked around the corner to handle Mr. X, that's what he called himself. His name was Ted Hamilton. He was a recluse who had been coming to the shelter as long as Ruby had been there. He could be mean as a rattlesnake and just as deadly to an insecure person. She started to step forward but Devin's words stopped her.
"Sir, thank you for preserving this area. This family could use your help. This is their first time here and we don't know the rules. Could you help us with that?"
"Rule number one, this is my spot. Rule number two, I don't like being questioned. Rule number three, I don't do kids."
Devin raised an eyebrow. So he wanted to play it that way. "Okay, I can see you are a straight to the point kind of man. So let me ask you. Did you pay for this spot? Or build it? Or furnish it? When you walked through that door you were given a set of rules to go by. So were they. The number one rule. First come first served. They were here before you. Find another area for tonight. Here is your blanket." Devin held the blanket out for the man.
