The Sheikh's Virgin Bride(115)
Somehow, even after her parents’ divorce, Yvonne had managed to hold onto her love for the holiday season. There was something so hopeful and promising about how humans managed to find a way to light the darkest time of the year, keeping the burning embers of peace and love and good will alive, even during the gloomiest of times.
She took a turn down another block as she headed home, knowing it would be a bit of a journey. After the office party, she could do with a little fresh air. She thought about what she should make for Zadid when he came to her house, planning out every favorite dish she knew how to create.
It was going to be spectacular! She would make sure of it.
A long line of people stood along a wall, and Yvonne focused back in on her surroundings, curious. She stopped and asked a woman what was going on.
“The shelter is open late for the next few days as families prepare for their Christmas dinners,” the woman explained.
She looked embarrassed to be standing in that line, and Yvonne did her best to keep her tone neutral. She didn’t want the woman to think she was pitying her, but seeing the line and how it wasn’t moving, she saw an opportunity.
“Are they short-staffed?” she asked.
The woman nodded.
“They must be. The food pantry doesn’t usually take this long to get folks through.”
“I’ll take a look and see what’s going on. It’s too cold out here for people to be standing outside like this,” Yvonne said.
“Thank you,” the woman breathed, rubbing her hands over her arms.
Yvonne nodded before walking briskly to the front, where the line proceeded into the shelter. Stepping inside, she could tell that it was total chaos.
“Hey can you bring me one of the cranberry sauces? No, not over there—over there!”
A young woman was frantically directing three other people, who were running around trying to fill boxes as the recipients stood waiting, trying not to look upset. Yvonne approached the young leader.
“Hey, do you guys need some help?”
The young woman’s blue eyes were intense as she looked up at Yvonne.
“Are you from the main office? We’re really struggling here with the demand—we weren’t prepared for this many people!”
Unsure whether she would be allowed to help if she told the truth, Yvonne removed her coat and rolled up her sleeves.
“Yep, the main office sent me to help out tonight. Let’s start by getting more of a fireman line here. Hey guys?” she called.
The few other volunteers stopped what they were doing to listen. They all looked so stressed, Yvonne knew she had to do something to help.
“You, head over to the stuffing area, and you can do canned veggies and cranberry sauces. I see the turkeys over there, can you handle those? Let’s start with the boxes on that end and pass them between us so we can get each box out faster, okay?”
The look of relief on their faces at some guidance was rewarding as Yvonne set the new plan into motion. She handed the first box to the man standing in front of her with a smile.
“Merry Christmas!” she said.
His eyes were a little watery as he took the box.
“Bless you,” he murmured.
Before he could walk away, she placed a gentle hand on his wrist.
“Things will look up, I promise. Better days are on the horizon.”
He smiled softly as he nodded, making his way out. From that moment on, there was a flurry of activity as Yvonne and the team worked to fill boxes and whip them out the door. The woman Yvonne had spoken to outside made her way in not long after, and she grasped Yvonne’s hand.
“Thank you. It’s so nice to get inside and out of the cold.”
“Do you have somewhere to stay tonight?” Yvonne asked.
The woman nodded.
“I do, thank you. This will be very well-received back there, I promise you that much. Have a wonderful holiday.”
“And you,” Yvonne said, watching the woman’s retreating back as she made her exit into the cold city streets once more.
Yvonne had a small moment to worry about her before the next person was waiting for their box of goods, and she was back into work mode. Her back was aching and her feet were tired as the last person walked up.
“It looks like we’re going to have just enough,” Yvonne said joyfully as she handed the man the last box.
“What would we do without you? Thank you all, for everything.”
“We’re happy to help, sir,” the young woman said, stepping up beside Yvonne.
He waved a fond farewell, and after he left, the woman closed the shelter door, turning back to face Yvonne.
“Thank God you came. That was a nightmare and a half. We were totally overwhelmed.”
“It looked a little bit daunting. I’m sorry you had to go through that.”
The woman shrugged, her eyes tired.
“At least we managed to help people tonight. Now we can go to bed knowing that at least two hundred families will have a Christmas dinner.”
The other volunteers walked over, then, an older gentleman juggling small plastic cups with eggnog in them. He passed them out, and everyone circled together.
“To holiday cheer and goodwill toward our fellow man!” he said.
“Hear, hear,” the young woman agreed.
They clinked their plastic cups together, taking a sip. It wasn’t the best eggnog Yvonne had ever tried, but, given the circumstances, it tasted far sweeter.