Apparently, a fever and hang-dog feeling aren't enough to keep me away from the shelter. I packed my cutting board, knives, kiddie treats, a banana for breakfast, and headed in—late, but going.
Last night I emailed Joey that I wasn't feeling well, and asked him to please keep lunch simple. He got the message, and there was pizza in the oven and salad on the prep table when I got there. Too, that same hard-working gal from last month was there, working some service hours. All I had to do was help her, and play—we have two new babies!
Last week's babies (3 & 5) are gone. Their father had a fit of temper, struck a shelter worker in the face, bloodied her nose, and threatened to kill a person who had patted one of his boys on the back. The man's problems are far greater than we imagined. Of course he's in jail now, and the children are in the custody of DSS. We're all thinking their mother probably does want them—contrary to the man's story. Sigh.
Anyway, today's babies are siblings 1 & 2, and with their mom. I made them special plates with toddler-friendly foods, cut into bite-size pieces. Next week, I'll take a jar of meat sticks.
Our adolescents got there well before I left today! I hadn't seen them in a few weeks, and they were happy to have their gum and candies. They're such appreciative kids, and well mannered. I gave them some little drawing kits from the art supply, and they were so happy to get them!
The pre-release who has attached himself to me (let's call him Teacher's Pet), promised that next week he's going to be in the kitchen, with me, helping! "Really?" I asked.
Yep… he's going to help, and he wants me to teach him how to make my special soup. No, honest. That's what he said. So I told him I was thinking about bringing in some cabbages to sauté. He liked the idea.
Gate Keeper and I had an opportunity to swap stories, and I find his life more and more intriguing. He's a super-intelligent, highly educated, deeply caring person who has been placed where he can use all of those attributes, but only in a very quiet, out-of-sight way. While you and I are watching, most of the world will never see how much good he's doing.
Angel was at lunch with a big smile. I keep wanting to give him a hug, but that stupid serving bar comes between us, and I don't want to make a scene in front of his housemates.
Eternally Angry Woman called to me, as I was chopping celery. The ice bin was nearly empty. So I filled it. It's cumbersome and heavy. Not her problem. She sees me as a person of privilege, and she hates me for it. I have no reason to blame her.
Hard-working Gal and I made 36 sack lunches between serving duties and dinner prep. That's about it. I'll try to get a report on Mr. Huggy next week—I forget to ask, and he doesn't show up.
I noticed as I was leaving that it was obvious where the toddlers had eaten their lunch—a green bean and a spoon on the floor, along with a few crumbs—just like home.
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