Hunger [H.S]

September (part 2)

Frankie looked up different places that were searching for volunteers. There were soup kitchens, shelters for homeless people, homes for elderly people, schools and kindergartens. But when Frankie spotted an animal shelter, that was searching for someone to help with the financials, and who could help out with practical work around the shelter, she felt excited and sent them an email.

They replied after a short while that they would love for her to come say hello. Frankie wanted to be confident, and to just go down to the shelter and show how much they needed precisely her help. But the impostor syndrome crept up on her, and the worries started piling up. Mostly worries of not making a good impression, looking like she did. In her mind she could hear Harry's voice telling her to stop worrying, and that she never saw herself the right way. Frankie couldn't stop wondering what the right fit for their volunteered position would be. She decided to send Harry a message to check what to wear.

'Applied for a volunteer position at an animal shelter. They want me to come down to say hello. Don't know what to wear, or how to impress them.'

Harry replied shortly after. 'You don't need to do anything to impress anyone. Just go say hello in your wonderful, charming, natural way. They will love you.'

She smiled at the screen, grateful for the way he saw her, but unsure if he was just absolutely blinded to all her faults. But he was right, she couldn't do anything but put on an outfit that felt good, and go down and say hello. She was just applying for a volunteer position, afterall. She dressed in a nice shirt and a pair of chinos, all courtesy of Shannon and Bella, who were increasingly involved in her clothing choices. She did her hair in a twisted ponytail, and put on a nice pair of trainers. Then she got an Uber to come pick her up.

***

The Uber dropped her off outside the animal shelter. She went inside and was greeted by a lady at the reception. She had a big, very white smile and was tanned to the extent of her skin being slightly leathery. She was chewing vividly on a piece of chewing gum while speaking on the phone. She held up her hand to gesture that she would be right with Frankie. Frankie smiled and nodded, while she kept herself busy doing something else. She flipped through a magazine called DOGZ lying on the counter. She mostly looked at pictures, but her eyes caught an article about how dogs could help people out of depression. She read the article with great interest, while the receptionist spoke on the phone.

"But that's the thing Gary. We can't keep the dogs fed, if money doesn't come in. Have you found out what we can do to get funding? Well are ya gonna try? Because it's your damn job, Gary!" The receptionist had a lot of sass about her. Frankie listened, but tried to be discreet about it.

The receptionist hung up and mumbled to herself under her breath. Frankie caught a string of curses.

"Right, what can I do for you, darlin'?" She asked and smiled at Frankie, her teeth like white pearls on a row.

Frankie felt shy, but smiled and handed over an envelope with her CV. "I'm Frankie Evans. I applied for the position as a volunteer." She caught the receptionists gaze and continued: "I was asked to come say hello."

"I'm Sally. Wauw, you're really British, aren't you?" Sally grinned and offered Frankie to come over to the other side of the counter. She opened the envelope and ran over her CV seemingly impressed. "You have a lot of experience, and a degree in accounting. That could be really helpful. Gary is hopeless with the books, but wonderful with the animals. We really need someone to help us with that..." Sally looked at Frankie for a moment. "Why volunteer?" She asked.

Frankie shrugged. "I'm only here for a short while, and I'm getting restless. My boyfriend is recording an album, and I can't just sit around and do nothing. I'm a great accountant, and I really love animals. Seemed like a perfect match for me."