“You’ll manage. I’ll see if there’s an available apartment in my building. And whatever extras I have, I’ll send your way when you’re setting up.”
Allie smiled at Denise. She had become a good friend since Allie moved to Toronto a few years ago. This entire place ran because of Denise. She put in long hours and was the rock behind it. “Thanks, I might have to take you up on that.”
“Well, as long as you and Dani weren’t hurt that’s the main thing.”
Allie nodded and looked around, making sure no one was within earshot. They absolutely didn’t want word getting out to the youth that the shelter might be moving. This was the only place most of them could rely on, so the idea that it might be taken away from them could be devastating. “What are the odds? First the shelter, then my building? Any news about…?” Her voice trailed off purposefully, and she lifted her brows.
Denise shook her head. “No. Every time I pick up the phone I brace myself for some news, but so far I’ve got nothing.”
Allie drummed her fingers on the wood surface. “I guess we’re going to have to wait and see. And pray for a Christmas miracle.”
“Speaking of which, I want to go forward with the tree trimming and decorating night next weekend. What do you think?”
Allie nodded. “Absolutely. We’re not canceling anything.”
“Perfect. I’ll send out a memo to the staff and you and I can go over the finer details maybe tomorrow?”
“Sounds good. I’ll plan to stay late tomorrow night and see about picking up some extra goodies to go with the hot chocolate.”
“Perfect, sweetie. Call me if you need anything, okay?”
Allie nodded as Denise stood and began bundling up for the outdoors. “I still don’t know why you even came in. The day is almost over.”
“You know what it’s like. I have appointments. I didn’t want to cancel on anyone.”
Her friend wrapped her red scarf around her neck twice so it covered her mouth, her hat tucked down low. “The world will go on without you for a day, you know, Allie.”
Her words came out muffled, but Allie understood. She nodded and opened the door for her. Denise gave her a wave and walked out. Allie shut the door with a shiver and began her usual rounds of the house before settling into her small office on the main floor. This place had become like a second home to her, and the kids felt like an extension of her own family. She had even managed to get Dani in here on a regular basis to volunteer wherever extra help was needed. Sometimes they’d be short-staffed in the kitchen, or they needed extra help sorting the various donations that came in. It kept Dani focused and stopped her from feeling sorry for herself. Yeah, their mom had screwed up and both their fathers had been MIA since birth, but their lives could have been much worse.
Three hours later, Allie was finishing up with one of the house’s newest teens and she was pleased with how their session had gone. They were standing in the hallway outside her office, close to the entryway. Max was sixteen and had come to live here a month ago. He hadn’t really opened up to them much, but Allie felt like she was making progress.
He’d been living with his single mom who was an addict and verbally abusive, but she had only figured that out by reading between the lines. Max had lived on the street for about a month before coming into Haven House. He’d been cold, standoffish, starved, and beaten down, but he’d been given clean clothes, a shower, and a bed, and when she’d walked in the next morning to meet their newest teen, her heart had gone out to him. It was something that happened on a regular basis. She would always remember the way the kids looked that first day when they arrived, and most often it was completely different from when they were ready to go on their own again.
The shelter had a strict sobriety policy, so kids had to be clean in order to live here. Max thankfully had an aversion because of his mother. He was also extremely guarded, which was normal. They had to earn his trust. Routine, shelter, and daily meals went a long way in earning the trust of most of the teens.
“See ya,” he said, flicking his chin in her direction.
Allie smiled at him. He never called her by name. He didn’t call anyone by name, but she knew it would come, in time. Names were personal to some kids. Calling people by name meant a familiarity, and he obviously wasn’t ready. “Have a good night, Max.”
He shrugged, his gaze darting down the hall. “Okay. Uh, hey, I wanted to ask you something first.”
“Sure. Do you want to go back in my office?”
He shook his head. “Uh, I was just wondering about Christmas. What happens? I mean, like, are you guys going to be working during the holidays? Do we have to find somewhere else…to go?”
Allie had perfected the serene look on her face during her first year of social work. She never wanted someone to see her surprised. She wanted everyone to feel like their questions weren’t alarming or revealing—even when her heart was breaking. She knew exactly where Max was going with this, and the insecurity in his voice, in his stance, pulled at her. “Of course we’re working. Haven House never closes. Ever.” As she spoke the words, doubt crept into mind. How could she even say that considering the threat against the shelter? Well, she wasn’t giving up. This place would always be here for them. It had to.
He nodded and took an awkward step back, but not before she caught the look of relief on his face. “Oh. Okay.”
He started to walk away, so Allie quickly kept talking. “Christmas is the best time around here, you know. We put up a tree, decorations, there’s a special Christmas Eve and Day menu. Presents.” She smiled as she spoke even though he was looking down at his feet. She knew this was overwhelming for him, but she hoped by Christmas he’d start opening up a bit. It would be his first Christmas away from his mother. During their sessions, she knew he didn’t want to speak about her. She knew it was normal for him to feel anger toward her, but it would also be quite normal for him to miss her or feel concern for her. Christmas was about family, and it was difficult for kids without one, which was why they went above and beyond during the holidays.
Max looked to the door as it opened. Ethan walked through looking like the cover model for GQ magazine. Even when he wasn’t at work, success and power clung to him as beautifully as his tailored suits. A gust of snow swirled around him as he shut the door, and her heart fluttered. He brushed the snow off his hair and made eye contact with her from the across the hall, giving her a wave and a smile that could melt a thousand snowmen. He was holding a paper tray, two red cups inside.
“See ya,” Max said, looking back and forth between them, and walked away.
“Bye, Max. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He didn’t turn around. She saw Ethan give him a nod as he passed by.
“Hey,” she said, walking up to him. “What are you doing here?”
“Your sister texted me asking if I could pick up takeout.”
Allie groaned, and he laughed. “I gave her money to get her own food.” Knowing how her sister’s mind worked, she’d probably thought she could save more money by tricking Ethan into paying for dinner.
“And then she told me you were working late and that you’d probably walk home. I, uh, didn’t want you walking home after dark, so thought I’d pick you up.”