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Since we’re in the city, we get the occasional celebrity volunteer, mostly on holidays, but it’s typically a publicity stunt for photo ops, and they don’t stay long.

When class is over and it’s time for lunch, I return to the kitchen. Julian follows close. At first, I thought about putting up a fight about him escorting me to the shelter.

He surprised me in class today, and I couldn’t hold back my smiles when he actually participated with them. He answered questions, and he and Karson kept giving each other hell about missed answers. Sometimes, I think Julian was purposely missing, so Karson, the kid next to him, would crack a joke.

Karson and his mother have been with us for four months now. In the beginning, he was difficult in my class, always giving me hell and interrupting my teachings. Until one day, I asked him to stay after class and talked to him about his favorite comic book. He was shocked I’d read it.

I like helping people, enjoy making them feel better, and I always want everyone to know that they matter.

Situations come and go.

Money is earned and lost.

But people are still people.

They still have hearts, and feelings, and needs.

Sometimes, I think the world forgets that.

In the kitchen, I find Isabella arranging trays of food. Bria dumps French fries on the trays, and Neomi adds a scoopful of fruit alongside the turkey sandwiches.

They came fully dressed for the job, all wearing jeans, sneakers, and T-shirts.

Everyone says the Cavallaro sisters are always easy to point out with their similarities. While all different lengths, they all have dark hair. Bria’s is short, Isabella’s is long, and Neomi’s hits her shoulders.

“How’s it going?” I ask.

“Great!” Isabella says, grinning over at me. “I talked to Lora, and she’s setting up a schedule for us to volunteer once a week.”

Bria nods, shooting me a similar smile to Isabella’s. “Thank you for letting us tag along with you. I’m sure getting us started was kind of a headache, but I’m glad we got to hang out in a space that means so much to you.”

“If there’s anything more we can do, please let us know,” Neomi adds, setting down the fruit bowl. “I can tell this place does a lot for these women and children.”

Mary, the head of the kitchen, comes up behind them. “You’re welcome anytime.”

Since help in the kitchen is limited, Mary is thankful whenever she has extra hands, but I know she’s picky about them. So, for her to give the okay for the girls to return tells me they left a really good impression on her.

It’s nice to have people share their love of the shelter with me. While Darcy volunteers with me sometimes, she’s so busy with her family’s business and traveling that she can’t make a commitment. The shelter has always been a personal thing. My father always wrote checks, so that was enough in his eyes, and my mother refused to volunteer.

Julian stays in the kitchen, making phone calls, while the girls and I serve lunch. As we’re finishing up, Benny returns to take them home.

I thank them for coming and hug them before looking at Benny.

“Thank you for bringing them,” I say.

He nods and shrugs, and I hear him mutter, “Next time, convince them to just let me write a check.”

“Hey,” Neomi warns, slapping his shoulder. “For that comment, I’m making you come with me the next three times.”

“We have a dog and child to take care of,” Benny says. “We agreed once a week. Be happy with that.”

Neomi rolls her eyes and mimics his voice as they leave.

Julian stops at my side, waiting for me so we can walk out behind them.

“Genesis,” Lora says, rushing out of her office, as if she didn’t want to miss me. She waves me toward her. “Can I speak with you for a moment?”

“Of course,” I say, following her into her office, and she shuts the door behind us.