Thank you for the reviews. Jennparris; not sure I will be able to fit Rachel into this story, but if I can I will, and if I can't; I will fit her into my next story!
The Assignment
Chapter 3
Ashley walked into the homeless shelter and was shocked at how noisy it was. There were kids everywhere and Ashley didn't even know where to start. She found Sister Anne and was sent to the clothing distribution center. It was sweaty, nasty work. She was in charge of sorting sizes and when someone came in requesting a specific item and size, she distributed it. Ashley wasn't sure what it teach her, but she gave it her best.
On the third day; Ashley was sorting shoes when a young girl, a little younger then her came in with a little boy. There was something familiar about the girl. Even the little boy looked vaguely familiar. Ashley just couldn't place them.
"I like my shoes, Hannah!" The little boy said.
"Kaitlyn said you needed new shoes. Those are causing blisters and there's a hole in them." The girl, Hannah; answered while she waited to be helped. Ashley approached them.
"Can I help you?" Ashley asked.
"Yes, my little brother is needing new shoes. Bigger size then these." Hannah said. Ashley looked down at the worn shoes, estimated the size and looked toward the shoe rack. They didn't have any to fit.
"Let me see what I can do." Ashley said. She walked away, confirmed that there were no shoes to fit the little boy and found Sister Anne to issue a voucher for the shoes.
"Do you know who they are?" Sister Anne asked as they walked back to the distribution center.
"Her name is Hannah and they have someone named Kaitlyn. I didn't catch the little boy's name, though. He's probably six." Ashley explained.
"Ah, I'm familiar. The Slattery kids." Sister Anne said, stopping Ashley in her tracks.
"Slattery?" Hannah asked.
"Yes. Their mother died during the Red Flu. They've never been able to find their father. Kaitlyn, Hannah and Joey. Kaitlyn has been working several jobs to keep them going, and so far, she's not had to start selling herself." Sister Anne said. She gave Hannah a onceover and paused in the hallway. "Is something wrong?" Sister Anne asked.
"I know their dad. He's my dad's best friend and while my dad has been away, he's been something of a guardian for my brother and I." Ashley explained.
"Oh, my. Well, you know what you need to do." Sister Anne said.
"Their dad left Sunday. He was going to be gone for almost two weeks. I think he's in San Diego." Ashley said.
"You should still call him. I'll go in and talk to Hannah." Sister Anne said.
"I will…take them back to my apartment so they aren't homeless. It's three bedrooms, so not ideal, but we can make it work." Ashley told her.
"Alright." Sister Anne said. After she walked off, Ashley tried calling Mike and could only leave a voicemail to call her back as soon as possible.
Hannah was making a call to her sister when Ashley walked into the distribution center, and within just a few moments, Kaitlyn appeared. At one time, she and Ashley had been good friends, but Kaitlyn was different. Weary, exhausted and on edge. She agreed to go back to Ashley's apartment with her, and understood that Mike was not reachable at the moment, but Ashley had to wonder if she would be able to keep the Slattery's at the apartment until Mike came back to St. Louis.