Chapter 1
"Good morning, Lola and Maura. We brought donuts for the employees and volunteers with coffee being donated by Starbucks. I have two uniformed officers delivering the donuts and coffee to several community centers as we discussed. Between the sheriff's department and my Police force. We will have two teams each at each community center. One team will be dressed in their uniforms and the other in civilian clothes to blend in more. Catherine and I will be helping today. I will be here and Catherine is at the Oak Park community center. She is having her officers deliver the water and fresh fruit that Costco donated for today. Both of our agencies will have patrol vehicles driving around the area to hopefully keep everyone safe and on top of what we have inside. I am going to drink my coffee with my breakfast burrito that my wife made me. Once I am done, please put me to work. I am yours as well as my officers until the clinic is done by three today."
" Helen, Maura, myself and the rest of the volunteers and medical staff thank you for helping out and getting the donations. It made it easier for us all. We only asked Jack in the Box to provide lunches and sodas for everyone. Maura can tell you where she would like you to be. " " Helen you and your officers are much appreciative. I would like you to help Jennifer Reeves get everyone registered this Saturday morning."
I said okay then they left to go do something. I drank my coffee and ate my breakfast burrito my wife made me.
Oak Park Community Center...
" Jane, Tommy, and Eva thanks for being here to help with the clinic. Catherine is already helping people register. She and Kevin ate at home. Kevin and Diandra are patrolling the bathroom areas to make sure they are safe, kept clean, stocked, and safe", says Piper.
I finished my breakfast and then used the restroom. I made my way in my police chief uniform. I wore it because I wanted people to know that first responders care about their community. I nor any of the volunteers from the police station were getting paid. The only ones getting paid today were the ones in police cars with the k-9s. Many sane people are scared of K-9 and that is what I wanted people to be. K-9s only stop biting a person when their human partner gives them a command to stop. Even that takes a few seconds or a minute for the dog to stop. The line was long and some needed a bath badly. I registered all and the ones who needed to shower were directed to the trailer where their clothes could be washed and shower could be done. Each person was given a gown to wear until their clothes were washed. This was an easy task to do. I could see Maura taking one person at a time unless it was a family. She and Emily had this down to a science.
At Oak Park Community Center...my brother and Eva were doing root canals, teeth cleaning, pulling teeth, and filling cavities. Raul showed up and switched out with Eva who was needed elsewhere at the center. One of her regulars was back for more surgery. I recognize the fellow from the previous month. I waived help to him and handed him a drink and a Subway sandwich with chips for him to have once he was done. We all eventually took a thirty-minute lunch break. The lunch break allowed people to eat, rest, and switch out with a new set of doctors and nurses. My wife and Lola made sure each person only worked so many hours. I left with my food to go meet my wife. I dropped her off at her location. I waited until I saw Emily and Amy there before I left. My wife barely started returning to clinics after the last time she was assaulted a few years ago. Thus the sheriff and police departments then added K-9 to the centers for free medical clinic days.
I finally arrived and saw my wife sitting with Lola, Emily, Catherine, Kevin, Miguel, and Lacey eating their lunch.
" Hey doc how did it go here?" " J it went well. Once we are done eating, we can go home. "
While we ate we talked about going to Catherine and Helen's new restaurant/bar that is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tonight was karaoke night. This place was doing well and received a lot of nice reviews on Yelp and other sites. Many officers on duty and off went there for their meals. They would receive thirty-five percent off on all they spent.
"You guys Nia and Aisha said that tonight's money from their tips and other performers would be donated to the veteran's housing Tonight. Helen and I would appreciate you all showing up tonight from 5-10. I hope to see you there. Kevin and I are leaving. I enjoyed myself."
We said goodbye and left in Kevin's car for home.
