Fae Second Chance

Chapter 26 - Marjory

Chapter 26

I was sitting at my desk at work browsing the internet.  I was looking for something to do this weekend.  Jordan and her family were taking a well-deserved get away and the couple of friends I made at work also had plans so I needed something to do.  Don’t get me wrong I love my apartment, but I need to find something other than work to do for myself.  I am looking at dance classes around town when I find an ad for a non-profit organization that helps refugees throughout the world.  They collect household items and money to send to those people.  They were also looking for people with skills, such as lawyers and accountants to volunteer to provide legal help.  I am just a computer analysist but maybe they need help with websites or something.  I decide to give them a call and check them out this weekend.

To say this group was grass-roots would be a compliment.  It was just a handful of people trying to do a job that would require hundreds.  But for what they lacked in supplies they made up in heart.  I was amazed at how much they accomplished with what little they had.  Everyone who volunteered with them had a story about the people who helped them.  I realized as I helped sort and box items I was like these people.  I was a lost magic creature trying to live in the human world and survive.  My story was not as dramatic as some of them but being helped by someone was the same.

The leader, an older woman name Marjory was directing which boxes go to where and was flipping through her computer looking annoyed and confused.  I walked up to her and offered to help.

“Is here anything I could assist with.  I know a lot about computers.”

“It’s nothing dear, just trying to schedule someone to speak at this upcoming event.  My original speaker backed out and I am not a good public speaker or I would do it myself.”

I c****d my head at her. “What is the event?”

“It is a spring festival the city puts on every year.  This year we are one of the non-profit organizations that gets some of the proceeds.  I just need to find someone to give a few words of acceptance and explain what we do.”

I peak at her email, “And no one is available?”

“No, most people already have plans since school is out for spring break and other cannot commit right now, but I need to give them a name tomorrow.”

I step back and watch Marjory type rapidly on the keyboard.  I make a decision that I know will change my life, but it feels right. “I am a good public speaker.  I could do it if you can’t find anyone else.”

“Oh, I couldn’t.  You just started volunteering.”

I shrug and reach for the notepad next to her.  I write down my name and number.  “If you can’t find anyone else, please just think about it.”

Marjory nods and takes back the pad from me.  “Thank you, dear.  I will keep you in mind.” 

With that I turn and walk back to the boxes and start to sort and pack again.

I am not surprised when Marjory calls me the next morning and asks if I am serious about speaking next week.  I know why she is hesitating about allowing me to speak, she doesn’t know me.  She doesn’t know my agenda or what I will say.  I tell her I am interested and if she wants to write the speech, I am more than happy to read it.  She gets very excited and asks for my email address.  I give it to her and listen as she tells me thank you so many times and that she will email me the speech later that day.  And just like that I am now going to give a speech at the city spring festival.

A few hours later I get the speech.  It is nothing special.  Just thanking people for their support and how this money will help so many refugees in this country as well as the world and a website anyone can go to volunteer or support our efforts. I read through it again.  Yep, easy peasy this should be no problem.  I realize I am actually excited to be doing this.  I have always wanted to help the less fortunate and now knowing who I really am this feel like the perfect fit.

The next week I am standing at the edge of the stage.  Jordan and her family have come with me to the festival, and she is standing next to me complaining again that this is not my best idea.  It will give John an opportunity to get to me.  I cannot imagine that John would 1. Come to the festival and 2. Make a scene that could backfire on him.  So, I feel pretty safe here in the crowd.    Jordan rolls her eyes and gives me a finally few pointers on making sure my gift is controlled.  I want people to help because they want too not because I told them too. 

Finally, the high school dance team finishes up their performance and the host take the mic.  The different organizations that are receiving donations today are each scheduled at different time throughout the day.  They will each come out during their time accept the check, give a speech, and then leave. 

I am ushered to the stage by a volunteer.  The host hands me an oversize cardboard check and I thank him and give the speech that Marjory sent me.  When I am finished there is a lack luster amount of applauses.  Truthfully Jordan and her kids make up most of the applauses.  I wave to the audience and leave the stage.  Marjory runs up and hugs me when I am done.

“Thank you so much.  You did great.”

“You are welcome.”  I look at the huge check I am holding “What do you want me to do with this?”

Marjory laughs, “Here give it to me.  I will hang it up in the warehouse for everyone to see.  They already deposited the funds into our account.”

Jordan strolls up a moment later, “Marjory, it is good to see you again.”

“Madam Mayor, thank you for recommending we get considered for this opportunity.”

“Marjory, I told you to call me Jordan.  It’s no problem.  I agree with your work.  You help so many people.”

Majority smiles and shakes her hand.  Then she hugs me again and shuffles off carrying her huge check.

“You know Marjory?”

Jordan waves her hand in the direction Marjory just left. “Oh yes, she does such amazing work with the little she has.  You do realize that the majority of the refugees she assists are magic people who are trapped on the human sides of the boundaries.  That woman has contacts all over the world.  Instead of getting power or money with those contacts she wants to help people.”

“How does she have so many contacts?”

Jordan laughs, “There are rumors that during the war she was a spy.  A very good one from what I hear.  No one suspected her.  She would dress as a cleaning woman and access the most secure sites.  She gave it all up after the war and wanted to help people, or so I heard.”

I laugh. Marjory was a little grey hair woman who looked more like a grandmother than spy. “If it was all very secret, how did you find out?”

“Some young reporter found some documents that described her and what she did.  He wrote a whole series of articles about the female spies of the war and what they did.  He never named Marjory directly, but anyone who knows her, figured it out.”

“Is she in any danger?”

“No, the war was a long time ago and she has been out of the game for a while when the article came out.  But she stays out of the public eye just to be safe. Don’t be surprised if she calls on you to be the face of the organization again.  A pretty ‘human’ girl, is just what she needs.”

“I doubt Marjory needs me.”

“Don’t sell yourself short.  Just be careful with her.  I am fairly certain she is out of the spy game, but you can never be 100%.  She is a sweet old woman, but don’t underestimate her.”

I continue to volunteer with Marjory, and I hate to say that Jordan was right, again, a couple weeks later Marjory approaches me and asks if I would be interested in taking up a speaking position with the group.  I would share this role with two other gentlemen.  We would be the face of the organization.  I agree and Marjory loads me down with the bylaws and mission statements so I know everything about the group so I can talk elegantly and knowledgeable.  Apparently not every speaking event requires a pre-written speech.  Some I am just supposed to show up and talk about our group and how people can help.

When I am not reading the information Marjory has given me, I am reading about the human and magic crisis around the world.  Governments are not just prosecuting magic beings they are also prosecuting human being as well.  Anything to increase their power.  There are so many people who are in situations that they can’t get out of, and I see the parallels throughout history, and I want to cry, realizing there are so many people who don’t care who they hurt as long as they stay in power.  I may have become a little obsessed with it and Jordan has to remind me that there are good people too and I need to chill.