Delaney was staring at her with a strange expression on her face, and Valerie popped the bite of muffin into her mouth before she could say more. After a moment, Delaney broke into a chuckle. “Wait—you are helping with a Valentine’s Day Dance? You, the official Grinch of the Valentine’s Day holiday? How is that possible?”
“I know, I know,” Valerie replied, once she’d swallowed. “It sounds crazy. But… yeah, when Mrs. Gregory said she needed help, I volunteered. I just felt very sorry for all of those elders who look forward to it every year. I’m sure they’d be very disappointed if they didn’t get to go.”
“Ahh, Val, that’s so sweet,” Delaney said as an older woman approached the counter. She held up a finger to signal she’d be right back, and Valerie turned her attention to the muffin in f
