Chapter 7) Feb-Mar
It was February 8th. Scott and Cliff were sitting in the director's office at Children's Home, presenting The Garage's donation. Their fundraiser had been a great success. They had sold over 3000 tickets. Between the funds raised with the raffle, outright donations, and change collected year round they were giving the Children's Home a check for over $10,000.
The director sat staring at the check, speechless. Finally he shook himself and quietly spoke, "I had heard about the raffle for that classic car, but I never dreamed it would bring so much to our Home."
Cliff explained about Tina taking care of all the advertising expenses, and how the employees promoted it with their friends and on social networking pages, even how one loyal customer sponsored advertisement at a local Car Show. He grinned at Scott at that last part as he remembered their weekend in Scottsdale.
The three chatted a while about the changes at The Garage. Al, the director of Children's Home, fondly recalled Scott's parents and their efforts during previous fundraisers. Scott's parents still made trips to the Home a few times a month to volunteer and spend time with the kids.
As their time drew to an end, Al looked troubled. He seemed to have an internal debate about something before finally coming to a decision.
"Scott, you are now the owner and manager of The Garage, right?" Al confirmed.
"That's right," Scott answered cautiously.
"I know you made a tremendous contribution here," Al gestured toward the check, "but I was wondering if The Garage might want to participate in one of the new programs we've implemented in the past year."
"Well," Scott replied slowly, "That would depend on what the program is and how we would participate."
"The new program, Job Outreach, is geared toward our youth who have grown up in Children's Home, or group homes like it. They've had little or no experience with parental figures or encouragement toward occupations. We're working with several companies around town. They allow the residents to sign up for times where they can 'shadow' individuals in different job positions. Our hope is that our youngsters will find a direction and the motivation to further their education or work toward a rewarding career once they turn 18 and are on their own." Al explained the new program quickly. "I understand a mechanics garage can be a dangerous place for an untrained person, but that's kind of what your garage does anyway – train and educate. The program is for 14 to 18 year olds, and we'd make sure they understood the need to listen to instruction. We wouldn't send more than, maybe 3 or 4 over at a time, for 2 to 3 hours at a time."
"It sounds like a great program," Cliff said. "However, I think before we agree to participate we'll need to speak to our lawyer about any complications having kids around may cause."
"Thanks, Cliff, for bringing that up. My first response was, of course, yes, but you're right." Scott interjected.
"Also," Scott continued as he reached for Cliff's hand, "There's one more thing you ought to know before you officially offer us the opportunity to participate. I am the General Manager and Cliff is the Office Manager, but we are also in a committed relationship."
Al laughed, "That doesn't bother me, I picked up on that when you came in... you were holding hands then too. I know we have several young men, and women, who have confessed to their counselors that they are homosexually inclined. If I could, I would push them toward visiting The Garage just so they could see a healthy, committed gay relationship."
Cliff blushed as Scott murmured to him, "We really have to work on being more discreet in public. I didn't realize we were holding hands earlier." To Al he replied, "As long as you know and are not concerned about it, I will make an appointment with our lawyers to see if we can work out the details."
Scott had not been back inside the Home since Frank and Louise Edwards brought him into their home, first as a foster child, then as an adopted son. Al offered to show them around, cautioning "Just remember how important privacy was to you while you were here Scott; don't intrude on the children's personal spaces."
They wandered around the home, Scott pointing out the bedroom where he had stayed. Al showed them the large dining area, a small rec room with a TV and DVD player, and the library. Of course, things had changed in the past 15 years. The rec room had acquired a few more TVs and a few gaming systems. The library had some computers set up. But basically it was the same. They watched as kids fought over what movie to watch or games to play. They saw kids of all ages wander through the library, some grabbing books or comics others waiting for a turn on the computer. They peeked through doorways into the kids' rooms. Two sets of bunk beds in most rooms, with two dressers for the 4 kids to share.
"How many children live here?" Cliff wondered.
"We can accommodate up to 40." Al replied. "We have 8 counselors around during the day, but only 4 or 6 at night. There is also a cook and janitor; but a part of the children's daily chores are to assist with meals or cleaning."
Scott was quiet for most of the tour, and the ride home. At home, he grabbed his guitar and went out on the back deck. Scott quietly played a few songs as he thought about all he had seen that day. Walking through the Home reminded him of how lonely, unwanted, and hopeless, he had felt before Frank and Louise Edwards had found him.
Cliff gave him some time to think before joining him with cups of hot coffee.
"Are you okay, love?" Cliff asked as he sat across from Scott and leaned forward to rest a hand on his knee.
"I think so, just some heavy thoughts, reminders of the past." Scott said absently, his mind still far away.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Cliff replied, taking a sip of his coffee before setting it down to move beside Scott and wrap his arm around his lover.
