We had a lot of fun today! I made an enormous pot of bean 'n ham soup, and a smaller pot of chicken 'n rice. Joey baked some fabulous biscuits, and we served peaches on the side.
Before I even noticed how quiet the pre-release crowd was, Joey said they were mad at him. He said he had to yell at them yesterday. He's just looking out for them (don't take food or drink out of the dining room, clean up your place, etc.), and I've heard him apologizing for being so hard on them. I've heard him explaining to them that he just wants them to stay out of trouble, but I imagine he raised his voice extra yesterday. They'll get over it.
When most of them had left, I saw Aaron eating alone. Joey says he's always alone and that he has nobody. I went out and sat beside him. He said those were the first peaches he's had since before he went to prison—nothing in prison except apples, oranges, and bananas.
We talked about 10 minutes, and another 5 minutes in the kitchen before I left. He made some progress toward getting a job last week. It's a slow process. If filling out a form on-line takes an hour, and receiving an I.D. is a 2-minute event, that surely leaves a lot of dead air in a week's time. He says what he needs most is patience.
His intelligence precedes him. I didn't hesitate to remind him how very bright he is, how articulate, how knowledgeable—he's reading some self-help books at the moment. He said his mother has a very high IQ and that she sent him to private school. It shows. And I like to believe in people; I believe Aaron is going to go forward from here.
Guess what? That "real volunteer" lady we had a few months back—she wasn't any more real than the pregnant one; she was just working off her community service. Another girl came in this afternoon to begin working off hers. Kyle, too, was in that circle; we don't see him anymore, but we still miss him—nice fellow.
There's a little gap-toothed fellow who used to volunteer often, helping Joey clean out the freezer and move drink crates around, but then he disappeared. Joey said he wasn't allowed to come there anymore. Today, however, Gappy spent the whole morning with us, and frankly I don't see why he'd not be welcomed! He was a lot of help!
Only one of the "residents" stood out today—a young girl of about 15 who wanted to know if we had any Dr. Pepper. She almost whispered her request, and the look on her face just made me want to cry. She looked frightened and withdrawn. Looks like that just don't belong on such young faces.
Gappy helped me compile 16 sack lunches—I enjoyed his company and sense of humor. He was especially amused to see me trying to get out of my under shirt without undressing. "Don't you think that would be easier if you took off your apron?" he offered. But I was too far gone. It took a while, and I'm sure I bared my waist to him and Joey, but the shirt came off, leaving the outer garments intact.
There was no school report this week, as Joey didn't make it to class; with the new snow, he was lucky to get a ride to work!
You know, I can't remember when my back or feet hurt in that kitchen. I didn't leave until 1:00 today, and that was only because there was nothing left to do!
No comments:
Post a Comment