I got up and went to the gym before work like I usually do. I'm not really a morning person but breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and getting a good lifting session in always puts me in a great mood. I needed that after my dream last night. I was still shocked by how vivid it was. When I got home, I debated what to wear for work today. We would probably be doing a lot of walking around, so I chose some jeans that hugged my curves, a deep green button up with a navy blazer and some flats. I've always been curvy but toned from being an athlete and jewel tones looked good with my red hair and freckled complexion. I decided to do a natural look with winged liner for make up and put my hair into a high ponytail to keep it out of my way for taking photos. I grabbed some painting clothes to keep in my office as well, so I didn't have to get my business attire dirty. The new hire packet didn't really express a dress code other than looking professional and presentable when in the office. Business casual was term used. Lily was up by the time I was leaving.
"Damn! Great choice on the outfit. Your eyes almost match your shirt. Not to mention those jeans flatter your assssssets." She said, over exaggerating the "ass" in the word and winked.
I rolled my eyes and thanked her for the compliment before heading out the door. When I arrived at the office, I met Nate on the elevator.
"Good morning!" I said with a bright smile. "Are you excited to get out and take photographs today?" I asked.
Nate smiled, "Yes I am! I've been cooped up in this place editing for so long. I need to stretch my legs, see the world!"
I couldn't help but laugh. His bright personality was contagious. We got to our floor and headed to Alexander's office so we could group up for our assignment. He was dressed in a similar outfit to mine but with a maroon button up instead, it looked great on him. Without spending too much time staring at him this morning I greeted him.
"Good morning, Alexander. Nate and I were just talking about how he was happy to be leaving the office. How about you?"
He looked at me, "Yes I'm quite happy as well though our subject is a serious one. It will be nice to get out and get in touch with the world. If you two are ready, shall we gather our supplies and head to the car?"
"Yes!" Nate and I exclaimed in unison earning a chuckle and head shake from Alexander.
We got our cameras and lenses then went down to the garage and got into Alexander's sleek black Audi. Nate walked to his own car that was equally as nice saying he had a business meeting to attend after we were done. He winked at us mischievously leaving the two of us to take the Audi. I hadn't expected I'd be alone with him but here we are. He opened the door for me which I hadn't expected. Very gentlemanly.
"Thank you for that, you didn't have to open the door for me." I said.
He smiled, "I wanted to though."
That made me blush, but I was glad to see that the windows were tinted so he couldn't see in after he closed the door. Thankfully, it was gone before he made it into the car.
"So, are we going to drive around all of the areas here looking for subjects or do you have a specific place in mind?" I asked.
He smirked, "I think maybe we will just drive around and see what strikes us. Let me text Nate before we get going so, he knows the plan." He pulled out his phone to send it. "Ok, let's go."
We drove around for a bit and spotted an area under a bridge. We got out and he went to the trunk to get some bags that had clothing, toiletries, first aid kits and food in them. I hadn't realized he brought these with him but I'm happy he did. I helped him carry them over to the group of people gathered around a barrel bonfire. They weren't sure of us as we approached but then relaxed when we started handing everyone the supplies. We talked among them and heard their stories asking if they would want to be photographed or have their story told. Some of them were LGBTQIA+ teenagers whose parents kicked them out after they came out. These brave kids were some of the ones who wanted their story told to bring attention to the treatment of their community especially by the church. It has always sickened me how people who preached love and acceptance did not possess the capacity to do the very things they preached about. They just used the bible to shame others and make themselves feel like they had the moral high ground. They also used some of it's more baric scriptures clearly written from a man's prejudiced perspective as an excuse to persecute people who were different than them and treat women as property. Unfortunately for as beautiful as the real message of loving one another and taking care of each other was, man had taken it and twisted it into something ugly to suit their own views just as God had warned about.
Some of the people we talked to had college degrees. Some went into debt with medical bills and lost their homes. Some were addicts that couldn't afford treatment. There were so many ways a person could find themselves instantly homeless in America because of unchecked capitalism and greed. I was amazed at the resilience that this group of people had and how they had banded together to make their own little family in the worst of situations. I admired their courage and I desperately wanted to help in any way I could. Before we knew it, we realized that we had skipped lunch, and it was already getting dark. Nate must have wandered on his own as well because he never showed up.
Alexander and I thanked all of them for letting us spend the day with them and getting to know them. Alexander gave them all a card with his number and the information on the project we were working on so they could get resources as soon as they were available. He gave them the remainder of the supplies he had packed to tide them over for a bit. We got in the car and the atmosphere was somber for a bit while we started driving. I broke the silence first.
"That was definitely an experience. I really want to be able to help them on a much larger scale. It makes me so upset how this country looks down on poverty like it's a choice."
He looked over at me. It was just for a second before he responded but I didn't miss the warmth in his gaze.
"Yes, I am in agreement with you there. That's why I wanted to do this so badly. Most of the people I interact with have lost touch of how the world operates unless it applies to them. After my dad died, we were very poor. I just wanted to help others, so they don't have to struggle to live. I know we had it better than many people just having a roof over our heads and food in our bellies but there was never a moment where we weren't at risk of being on the streets in a day. It's why I worked so hard to make something of myself."
His voice broke at the end and a need to comfort him came over me, but I didn't know what to say. Instead, I reached over and squeezed his hand for a second to show I cared. A small tear escaped my eye and I turned to wipe it away. He smiled sadly.
"How about we grab some dinner before heading back to the office since we skipped lunch. I don't know about you but I'm starving. What sounds good to you?" He asked changing the subject and lightening the mood.
I knew exactly what I wanted. "Ok so this might sound like an odd request, but I want some BBQ. I know a great place downtown that's on the way. It's my comfort food after an emotionally draining day."
He smiled, "I wouldn't have pictured you as a BBQ girl but this I've got to see."
I couldn't help the snort that left me. "What exactly did you picture I would like?"
He didn't know me that well yet and I couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he witnessed me down enough food to feed a family of 4.
"I don't know maybe a nice parmesan encrusted sole with some veggies or a filet mignon?" He guessed.
"As much as I do appreciate and enjoy those foods there are a few things you should know about me. One, I'm from Kansas City so my blood may as well consist of BBQ sauce and ranch, and two, I love to eat so I don't discriminate against any food. Except liver, snail, olives and cantaloupe. Keep those far from my plate." I said shuddering in disgust at the thought of those foods entering my mouth.
He couldn't contain his laughter after that.
"You know Penelope, you have shocked me more in the 48 hours that I have known you than anyone else I've ever met. I never know what's going to come out of your mouth. I couldn't even begin to guess."
I bit my lower lip and looked down bashfully, worried I'd said all the wrong things over the last two days. "Is that a bad thing?" I asked.
He smiled, "No not at all, it's actually very refreshing. I am not used to people being up front and genuine with me. Most of the time people just nod their heads and agree with everything I have to say. It makes it very hard to make friends or trust anyone. The conversations are boring too."
I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding saying, "Oh good, you had me worried for a second. Sometimes others find my directness offensive."
I didn't know what else to say without potentially embarrassing myself. I was thankful we pulled up to the restaurant just then so we could change the subject. I was nervous and excited to be having dinner with Alexander and told my brain to shut up, it was just a normal friendly work dinner. I'd be spending time with him a lot, so I needed to get used to being around him. I couldn't turn into an idiot every time he talked to me, or he'd wonder if he made the right choice in hiring me.