Page 9 of Secret Admirer

“Can you tell me more about it? I know art, but I wasn’t lying when I said I’m not a teacher.”

“Of course. We’ve never really needed one before, but with all the children here and with your expertise, I thought we could help out everyone involved. We have a program here for mothers who are trying to get back on their feet. We try to get the kids enrolled in the local school system, so they don’t fall behind but we don’t have anything in place for them once school’s over.”

It saddens me to see so many kids here without homes. They don’t deserve that life and if I can do anything to make their lives better, I’ll try my best. At least they’re not out on the streets.

“Are you afraid they’ll start getting into trouble?”

“There’s a good possibility and their mothers don’t need any more stress. That’s where you come into play. I’d like you to head up an after-school art program. I can show you what supplies are already here. We don’t have unlimited resources, but if you make a list of what you think you’ll need; I’ll do my best to get you what you want.”

Tilting my head to the side, I hesitate. This all seems too good to be true, and I won’t be taken advantage of again. I’m a stranger who’s only been here a few days. Why would she ask this of me?

“Instead of only being able to come for dinner and a place to sleep at night, we’ll give you a room. It’s not much, but you’ll have a space to call your own.” She bites her bottom lip. Now she’s the one hesitating. “I know it’s not much, but we’ll pay you for the hours you’re with the kids.”

Not much? It’s more than I’ve been offered the last four years since I lost everything.

“I have a feeling something is keeping you here in Oasis.”

I hang my head. “Am I that obvious?”

“I’m a hopeless romantic and know a smitten man when I see one. Does she know?” Lucille smiles, her eyes twinkling.

“No,” I shake my head. “I leave her a flower every day, but that’s the extent of it. She doesn’t know I exist.”

“I bet she does,” she counters. When I go to argue with her, Lucille holds her hand up. “That’s beside the point. What I want to know is if you’re interested in taking the job? You’d be helping us out.”

I can’t help but think there’s an ulterior motive, but if there is, I have no idea what it could be. Standing, I extend my hand out and Lucille grins as she stands up clasping her hand with mine.

“Thank you for the opportunity.” I shake her hand. “When do you want me to start?”

“Is tomorrow too soon?”

My feet shuffle. “I’ve got nothing better to do.”

“You’ve got to get your girl a flower.”

Clasping my hands behind my back, I look down as I feel heat rise from my neck to my cheeks.

“Don’t mind me. It’s a sweet thing, Bodhi. You keep doing what you’re doing. Why don’t you make a list of art supplies for me before lights out and come back tomorrow around two and we’ll go over everything? I’ll have that room I promised ready for you. If you have any questions, you can ask me then. How does that sound?”

I can’t help but chuckle. “It sounds perfect. Again, thank you. I’m so thankful for you letting me in here and now for the job.”

I’ll never be able to thank Lucille enough. At any moment, I’m afraid I’ll wake up from a dream and all the kindness I’ve experienced will be gone. Instead, I’ll be shivering in a box with newspapers covering me.

6

Coco

Trixie walksto the front of the salon and looks out. Her head pivoting back and forth as if she’s watching a tennis match.

“What are you doing?” I laugh over the sound of the blow dryer.

“Looking for your secret admirer. I was hoping now that you’re back, he’ll show up.” I roll my eyes at her and go back to straightening my client's hair. “Don’t give me that look. You know you want to see what he looks like just as much as I do.”

I do and I don’t. What if he’s a total dog? Then the magic will be gone. Yeah, I’m shallow like that. I can’t help it. I’ve built this amazingly extraordinary guy up in my mind, who leaves me flowers at work each day and is drop dead gorgeous. Do I think it’s a reality? Hell, no! But there’s no harm in dreaming. There’s a reason he hasn’t shown his face.

“Has the homeless guy come in to fill up his water?” I ask, hopeful. The last few days have been hotter than normal for this time of year. Luckily, my parents had gone all out on the air conditioning system when they built their house. It was a necessity in the desert.

Trixie scrunches up her nose. “No.” She shivers and shakes out her hands like she has a case of the heebie-jeebies. “You can’t offer to let every homeless person come in here, Coco. We’ll lose customers.”

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