Page 22 of Sean
Sean entered with an A&W sack and a drink.“Here or do you have a break room?”
“Here.”Monica moved her keyboard out of the way and motioned to the end of her desk.“Pull up one of those chairs.We have a breakroom, but this will be quieter, I think.Unless you need to warm something up.”
“I’m good.”Sean spread a napkin over the space she’d indicated and started unpacking his lunch.
Monica followed suit.“This stuff is always too hot to eat fresh from the fryer.Why don’t you bless it for us?”
“Your office, your blessing.”
His words sounded strained, but he bowed his head too quickly for Monica to see his expression.“Father, thank You for the day and Sean’s unexpected visit.Bless our food, in Jesus’ name.Amen.”She hesitated a second, waiting for an echoing amen.When paper crinkled, she looked up to find Sean unwrapping his burger.She took a moment to uncover her seafood and pop the lid from the container of coleslaw.“You want a shrimp?”
“No, I’m good.”
“Are you going to say no if I offer to share my dessert?”
“Probably not.”
“That’s a relief.I don’t know that I could be friends with a guy who didn’t share my sweet tooth.”
“You don’t have to worry about that.”Sean leaned back in his seat.“So, I’m interested in your office.”He dipped a fry in ketchup and used it to motion around the room.“You’ve got a cartoon-themed throw hanging on one wall, a windchime in the window, a flower arrangement on your desk, and a shelf lined with Beanie Babies on the wall behind you.Do you have knitting needles and a ball of yarn stuffed in a drawer?”
“No.”The word was half-giggle.Monica lifted a hand to her mouth and swallowed.“Our clients don’t really have any reason to come to my office, so I have no reason to keep my space professional.I figure if I’m going to spend half or more of my waking hours someplace besides home, it might as well be homey and comfortable.”
“You succeeded.”
“Thank you.”
“What do you do here?”
“I’m the operations and events coordinator for the center.”
“What sort of events do you coordinate?”
“All sorts of things.We’re always looking for people to take an interest in what we do.I attend local events and try to get people interested in our mission.When Kate and Nicolas opened the office twenty years ago, their original focus was on widowed spouses and families.That’s still where the majority of our time is spent, but we’ve become a place for local veterans to come for help as well.We have a core group that meets once a month at the city hall auditorium.I make sure the space is ready for them and organize the refreshments.I also try to arrange a special get-together once a year.That’s what I’m working on now.Do you know who Matthew Wright is?”
Sean had been taking a drink of his soda.Now, he coughed uncontrollably.
Monica lunged from her seat.“Are you OK?Are you choking?”
Sean held up one hand while the other covered his mouth.His eyes streamed, but he shook his head.“Give me a second,” he gasped.Once the coughing was under control, he squeaked out, “What about Matthew Wright?”
“That’s who we’re hoping to get for this year’s gathering.He’s a wonderful speaker and preacher.Did you know he used to be a Navy chaplain?”At Sean’s nod, she continued.“He can be a blessing to our veterans as well as speak about the challenges of being a vet in a world that doesn’t always appreciate their service.”Monica’s shoulders slumped as she finished talking.There were so many reasons she had to make this happen.
“Why so despondent all of a sudden?”Sean asked.
“I haven’t been as successful in raising Matthew’s fee as I’d hoped.He cut us a good deal, but five thousand is still a lot.I started out with a thousand.Kate and Nicolas matched that and told me fundraisers would need to make up the difference.The event is scheduled for just after the new year, and I’ve only managed to raise an additional six hundred dollars.With the holidays, getting the rest is going to be a stretch.But this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.I still get giddy when I think about Matthew Wright coming to our little town.There’s no way I can give up.”
***
SEAN ENDURED MONICAsinging the praises of Matthew Wright.Her face glowed with hero worship, her eyes brightening with her determination to reach her goal.It was almost more than he could take.
What turned his stomach more than anything was knowing that two years ago, he’d been just as enthusiastic about the writer and speaker.How could he tell her that there were more important things to spend her energy on?Was it even his place?
“You want to help?”
Monica’s question brought Sean back, but he’d lost the thread of the conversation.
“I’m sorry.What?”
