Chapter 12

 

Two week later

“Jeanette, after the holiday we’re going to have to start looking for another full-time teacher.” Gloria happily commented, her hands clasped against her lips as if she was getting ready to pray. That’s all she’d been doing was praying and thanking God for the abundant blessings flowing their way. She released her hands, and walked over to Jeanette who busy with wiping down the kitchen counter.

It was the day before Thanksgiving and the children had spent the afternoon making caramel and candied apples. Gloria and Jeanette joked about them having more fun making a mess than gobbling up their pre-holiday treats. It was hard for Jeanette not to smile when her aunt squeezed her shoulder.

“Thanks to that young man of yours parents are filling out applications nearly every day.”

Jeanette reached up to pat her aunt’s hand.

“Auntie, Alonzo came through for us.”

As promised for the last three weeks, every Friday evening, all day Saturday and Sunday a crew of six men showed up ready to work donating their labor and materials. Gone were the old drafty windows, leaky roof during a hard rain, scuffed up dented walls, dripping bathroom faucet and outdated appliances.

Both women were overcome with emotion when they arrived Sunday afternoon to bring the men lunch as they’d been doing every weekend they worked. Tom, the lead worker led them through the reception area and classrooms as the crew was painting. He stopped at the washroom where a crewman was putting the final touches. The old two-piece bathroom now had a brand spanking new Kohler toilet and vanity with white cabinetry and blue walls.

They followed him into the kitchen. Jeanette reached out and grabbed her aunt’s hand. The night before after the last student had left, the crew rushed in tearing cabinets from the walls and removing countertops. Neither would have ever imagined they would be standing in such a beautiful kitchen thirty-six hours later.

Tom’s crew reworked the floorplan for a better functional space. The huge, stainless steel sink faced the new picture window overlooking the playground area. All the appliances and countertops were stainless steel with white, subway tile back splash. The white walls gave the kitchen a bright, airy feel.

One of the guys on the crew had built two long tables from birch wood to accommodate fifteen children at each.

Grateful, Gloria grabbed Tom in a fierce hug not caring that he was dusty from head to toe. “God bless you and your men for everything you’ve done.”

Gloria nodded agreeing with Jeanette. “Yes, he did.”

Guilt gnawed at Gloria’s insides. Yesterday evening Alonzo stopped by her house for a talk. What he told her left her baffled. Before they parted ways, she encouraged him to come clean with Jeanette before it was too late.

“You okay, Auntie?” Jeanette asked as she put the cleaning supplies away in a cabinet out of the reach of tiny fingers.

Swallowing more guilt, Gloria smoothed non-existent wrinkles from her skirt.

“Yes, baby. Just thinking about all I have to do when I get home.”

“Auntie, why don’t you come to Thanksgiving dinner with me to Alonzo’s parents’ house?”

She hated not spending the day with her aunt. Alonzo’s offer to invite Gloria had meant a lot. It wasn’t that Gloria would be alone. Every year she and her aunt had dinner with Mr. Sam and his son’s family. Jeanette wanted Gloria with her as a comforting presence to put her at ease around the rest of Alonzo’s family.

As if reading Jeanette’s mind, Gloria reasoned, “Now baby, you know I can’t do that to Sam. You’ll be fine. Once his mother meets you, she’s going to see how special you are to Alonzo.”

Jeanette let out a deep breath. “Yeah, I hope so. Can you believe—”

The buzzing of the intercom interrupted Jeanette. She smiled when she spotted Alonzo on the monitor at the front door. One of the best features of the school’s makeover was the high-tech security system. The old, busted-up intercom and alarm system were upgraded with surveillance cameras pointed at every entryway of the building. Monitors were placed in the reception area, classrooms and kitchen. All the windows and doors had sensors and panic buttons discreetly placed in every room to dial 911 for emergencies.

“I better hurry up,” she said to her aunt as she buzzed him in before grabbing the broom and began to sweep the floor.

Entering the kitchen, Alonzo’s eyes lit up. He made it a point to stay away, fearing that one of the guys might slip up and start talking baseball as they always did. The men were family friends and owners of a contracting business he trusted. If there was a blunder of the tongue it would have been an innocent mistake.

“Look at this place. It looks like a magazine in here.”

He went over to Gloria, kissing her on the cheek. “Hello, Tía,” he leaned in whispering, “I’m going to tell her tonight.”

“Hi, Alonzo.”

Gloria hugged him tight, relieved that she wouldn’t have to carry his secret much longer.

Oblivious to the secretive exchange, Jeanette laughed. “It does look like something out of HGTV magazine! I think I’m going to sneak down here and cook instead of in my outdated kitchen. Give me a second, Alonzo, I’m almost done.”

“Take your time, sweetheart.”

Alonzo sat on the stool at the counter to answer a text from Marta. After their fallout Alonzo went to see his mother to apologize for the way he had spoken to her. He told her about Jeanette, making it clear he intended to have a future with her. And went further to make it known that if she did anything to make Jeanette feel uncomfortable during Thanksgiving dinner, he would leave. Marta had promised to give Jeanette a chance before passing judgement.

“Oh, Auntie, tell Alonzo the good news.”

Jeanette shook her head and chuckled as she put away the broom and dustpan. “I can’t believe Auntie forgot to tell me, but with all the construction and taking care of Mr. Sam as he got over the flu, I can see how she forgot.”

Gloria gave her niece a weak smile. Where on earth was Sam? He was supposed to be here twenty minutes ago to pick her up. She couldn’t look at Alonzo as she shared their good fortune.

“An anonymous donor gave the school a sizeable donation to be disbursed over the next five years.”

Jeanette ran over to Alonzo, hugging him tight around the neck.

“Isn’t that something else? First, your friends stepping in to remodel this place, and now the donation. Auntie said it’s enough money for me to quit Macy’s, and have health and retirement benefits. The best part is we can hire a full-time teacher.”

Alonzo’s eyes met Gloria’s as he hugged Jeanette. “Sweetheart, that’s wonderful.”

A distant honking horn sent Gloria scurrying for the door.

“Sam’s here. I’ll see you this weekend baby. So long Alonzo. Please tell your family I said Happy Thanksgiving.”

Jeanette frowned as she watched Gloria high tail it out the kitchen.

“Was she acting weird to you?”

Alonzo shrugged. “Not really,” he murmured