Page 150 of Rags to Royals

“They sure do.” In fact, our father leads it. Because of course he does.

Chapter 33

Scarlett

When we push through the door to the coffee shop, a merry little tinkle sounds overhead. The smell of coffee and sugary baked goods greets us.

I immediately see the huge group of men smack in the middle of the coffee shop. They pulled four tables together and are taking up most of the space. Heaven forbid anyone else trying to get any work or studying done while they’re here.

“I’ll take a white chocolate mocha,” I tell Ruby. “I’ll be right back.”

I head for the center of the coffee shop as well.

“Excuse me,” I say, raising my voice above the conversation happening at the large table and the instrumental music playing overhead.

Everyone in the shop stops talking and turns to look at me.

I haven’t actually been in front of a group of people from Emerald in about sixteen years. But I sure did spend a lot of time before Emerald audiences back in the day. My dad loved to put me up in front, preaching and teaching, happy to show the goodpeople of his congregation that his daughter was taking after him.

“I just wanted to take a moment to make a quick announcement and clear up some misinformation that’s been going around.”

“Scarlett, you're interrupting our meeting.”

I turn and look at my father, meeting his eyes for the first time in sixteen years.

The impact of it takes my breath away for a moment.

The last time I looked directly into his face was when he told me to leave his church and never come back.

At the time, I never would’ve believed how I’d feel in this moment. But now, I can honestly say that him kicking me out of his church was the nicest thing he’s ever done for me.

“No worries, Pastor,” I say. My voice is a little wobbly, but I manage the words anyway. “This won’t take long.”

I turn and look at the rest of the room. “I understand that there’s a rumor going around that our good Mayor has declined some grant money that would’ve provided for struggling single mothers here in Emerald. I’m here to tell you that that is true.”

There’s some murmuring around the room and out of the corner of my eye, I see said mayor. He’s been serving this town far too long. We really need term limits here.

“But I’m also here to tell you that we are going to correct that oversight.”

“Who’swe?” someone calls.

I smile. “Me and my family.” I quickly point at my father. “Well, notallof my family.”

There are more murmurings around the room.

I raise my voice. “If the town and the church don’t feel that it’s their mission to take care ofallof the citizens of this town, then that is something we’ll all have to discuss when it comes election time. And, I guess, for some of you to consider onSunday mornings. Or whenever your church committees meet. But Emerald will not be a town where citizens are left to struggle and where we cast judgements on who deserves help and who doesn’t.

“Starting next week, the Ruby’s Way Foundation will be providing funds here in Emerald for any family who is struggling financially. There will be housing assistance, meal assistance, transportation, and medical assistance. There will be a simple application process, a twenty-four-hour hotline, and we will have people ready and willing to help however they can.

“I would very much love it if you would help spread the word. It’s really about taking care of one another. I know that you all want your friends, family, and neighbors to have the best lives that they can, but you’d also love for them to have those lives here, in this townyoulove. Let’s make that happen. With Ruby’s Way, there is another option for them if they don’t feel welcomed by the other groups here in Emerald.”

My father is now on his feet. “How dare you!”

I look at him with confusion. “How dare I what? Help take care of this town where I was born and raised? The town that was so important in shaping who I am? Now that I am grown, successful, and understand what it truly means to be a loving neighbor and a kind human, it only makes sense that I would come back here and help make this town better.”

“We are doing just fine. We don’t need your… foundation.” He says ‘foundation’ the way I imagine he says ‘dog shit’.

“Well, that’s great, if you don’t need it, then you won’t access it. But other people might. That’s really the way all of the groups and services in town should be, don’t you think? Available to whoever needs them but without any pressure on anyone to take part in something they don’t actually want.”

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