Aria's Second Chance

5_Haven

Aria

George is a giant of a man with strawberry-blond hair and freckles. His brown eyes study me for a moment when Evan and I walk towards him and then he smiles.

“Now I understand why Suzie was so adamant that I help you,” he holds out his hand in a greeting.

“Excuse me?” I frown and tighten my grip on Evan’s hand.

“Your face,” he shrugs nonchalantly. “Suzie is also a domestic violence survivor, and she helps where she can. Unfortunately, I don’t always have a unit available. But she insisted that I help you, no matter what. And now I can see why. I’m surprised you’re still alive.”

I bow my head and look at the pavement as guilt strikes me once more. Alive … something Bruce is not. And yes, I know I look terrible, but we are wolves. We can take much more than humans. But he does not know that, and I am not about to inform him.

“Anyway,” George continues when I do not reply. “Every single one of the tenants here walked a similar path as you. Among them, you will have support and are bound to make a friend. Let me help you with your stuff.”

Without waiting for a reply, he talks almost half of my bags.

“Did Suzie help all of them?” I look up with interest.

“She did,” he smiles gently as he leads the way towards unit five.

I am pleasantly surprised when he opens the door. It is small and has only one bedroom, but it is so much more than I expected. This is way better than the motel which I was planning.

“Buddy,” I kneel next to Evan and hand him one of the bags. “Would you take our stuff to our new room?”

“Okay, Mommy,” he smiles and drags the bag behind him.

“I know this is basic, but …”

“It’s perfect,” I cut him off and give him a sincere smile. “I will always be grateful for this.”

“Well,” he shrugs it off.

“Take these,” he hands me an envelope and I look at it hesitantly. “It’s a list of places that could help you with possible employment. It’s nothing glamorous, but it’s decent work. Just remember to drop Suzie’s name when you go. Otherwise, they wouldn’t take a second look at you. There are also several counsellors if you need to talk to someone.”

“Wow,” I murmur as I take the envelope. “This is a lot. Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me, thank Suzie,” he smiles. “This is all her.”

“Why is she working at the diner?” I ask curiously. “If she is in charge of all this, should not she have her own office or something?”

“First off, this is a private ring,” he explains. “None of this is government-funded. These apartments aren’t for free and it is not a shelter. This operation is not a charity either. You pay for your apartment, and you work for your money. Suzie only helps you to get a foot in the door when you need it most. Everyone involved in this has been in a comparable situation at one point or another. Pay your dues and if you’re ever in the position to help someone, do it. That is the success of Suzie’s operation. To pay it forward. And to answer your question about why she’s working there. The diner is two blocks away from the bus stop. How many women in your position do you think stop at the diner? Like you, they go to the first place where they can sit down and overthink their next move.”

I bite my bottom lip and wipe the pesky tears away. Suzie is an angel, I swear. How many people will work in a diner in the hope to help a stranger? I went from homeless and clueless to an apartment and possible leads for work. I went from running to finding myself in a place where there is hope and a potential future.

“How can I ever thank her?” I murmur hoarsely. No amount of money could be enough to show my gratitude.

“Do not mess this up and pay it forward,” he says encouragingly. “That is all she wants. Oh, and one last thing. Under no circumstances may you tell anybody about this. Everyone’s safety depends on your silence.”

“You have my word,” I look him dead in the eye. I would rather die than betray these people.

“Good,” he nods. “If you need anything, I am only a phone call away.”

I smile and nod and watch him turn around to leave.

“I know why Suzie is doing this,” I say loudly, and he stops in his tracks. “But why are you?”

“Your son,” George motions over to Evan who took it upon himself to drag all the bags to the room. “That was me once.”

“You’re paying it forward,” I nod in understanding.

“Precisely,” there is a sad smile on his face as he watches Evan. “There’s no way to tell what would have become of me and my mother if Suzie didn’t find us.”

I lock the door behind George and smile as I walk to the room. We have a haven. The future does not seem so bleak anymore.