Avery’s heels clicked against the hardwood floors of the empty building as she went from room to room. She loved when the project was at this point; although of course her favourite way for it to be was filled with life and hope, an up-and-running haven for women and children escaping the negative turn their lives had taken, when it was at the beginning stages of the schedule the building would feel so full of potential it practically buzzed in the air. It was on the precipice of something great, making her arms erupt with goosebumps at the possibilities it held. While some people claimed to be sensitive to ghosts and hidden elements of history, Avery could sense the future - not in the rip-off fortune teller way, but a solid knowledge of how business worked backed up with ten previous good plans turned reality and an unending confidence in her own abilities meant she knew when she was onto a winner.
With the slightest proud smile turning up the lips she had carefully applied red lipstick to earlier that morning, she strode down the corridor to the gathering of volunteers. Reaching out on social media had been a good idea; as a charity, she blanched at using their funds to hire decorators when anyone with a steady hand and a decent nature could paint a wall for them. All the money saved would roll over to the next home she found, or be put aside for emergencies and bills. Growing up in a high society home, she’d seen far too much money frittered away on nonsense and though she didn’t reproach her family’s life choices, she didn’t carry them into her own business strategy either.
With a sweet, if professional smile, she clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention.
“By helping today, you’re ensuring the future of several women and children who otherwise might have nowhere else to go. Although they won’t be able to thank you, I’m proud to do so on their behalf.” Though she’d made this speech a few times before, it never stopped being true. Her tone was polite, but not stiff, and she tried to inject the warmth she felt at the generosity of these people into her voice.
“So I shan’t dally! Hopefully you’ll enjoy your afternoon and please help yourself to any of the food and drink in the kitchens as a thank you for giving up your valuable time.”
With impeccable posture and grace, she slipped from each room to the next, chatting formally to everyone she encountered; mostly small talk, thanking them for coming, explaining a little more about what her business did, although occasionally she came across someone with a connection to her - a sister or aunt or friend who had been helped by the Spellman Centres and wanted to offer their help as a sign of gratitude. These people she embraced, spending a little more time to discuss their mutual acquaintance and find out how they were now that her assistance had liberated them from the unfortunate life they had had before she intervened.
Having just wrapped up a conversation with a young lady whose big sister had escaped an abusive relationship and was now working as a receptionist in a New York high rise thanks to her stay in one of Avery’s shelters had given her the time to get back on her feet, she turned to the next inhabitant of the room. Thrusting her hand out, she smiled politely at the young man, who had already made quick progress of the wall he was working on, coating it in soothing deep blue paint.
“Avery Spellman.” She introduced herself. “I’d just like to personally thank you for helping today.” She paused as the man busied himself emptying his hands of brushes and paint tins, narrowing her eyes as she looked over him. Something was faintly familiar about him, as though she’d maybe seen a photo or scrolled past his face on instagram and had made a note of it. “My apologies, but... do I know you?”
