Lucky Me

Generosity Knows No Bounds

"what the hell is going on?" I pushed through the crowds in the meeting room at work, wondering why we were all here an hour before opening. "have you not heard?"
"did Nigel not call you ahead of time?" Robin and Yaszmin questioned me as I stopped beside them. "No" I looked confused, "it's about that funding that was sent- you know for the grant that you had applied for" Robin attempted to fill me in. I nodded at her, frowning as I was beyond clueless, "there's been a donation" Yazmin chipped in excitedly, but before I could question a thing, Nigel walked in with a huge wedge of paperwork under his arm.

"Calm it down everyone" he said, hoping to silence the chatter. "as you have probably heard, there has been a sizable donation been give to our very own establishment a few days ago, and we are thrilled to announce that the board has given us the freedom to decide what we do with said donation." he bellowed over us all trying to hush us as people started chattering again. "so! I want everyone's suggestions on what they think we should do with some of the cash. and we will take all opinions into consideration. Thank you!" he finished, and then leaned down to someone at the front to start passing out opinion notices. "Lucy, can I see you for a moment?" Nigel called out to me, spotting me in among the crowd. I nodded and proceeded to battle my way towards his office.

.............

"that's amazing news Nige" I beamed once I'd closed the door to his office. "I know, can't quite believe it myself" he smiled as he clasped his hands together on the desk. "but there's one thing I didn't mention out there" he continued as I took a seat opposite his desk. "The trustees have been going over the paperwork that you submitted a few months back- about enhancing Groot's enclosure, and advancing on care plans for him and potential new house mates for him-" and I nodded along, "and as they were in agreement to OK it all, we were going to discuss it all with you on a step by step basis...." My heart was soaring at the idea of this actually happening, but angel continued "but this donation stipulates a few things" He smoothed over his goatee, "that at least 60% of the donation goes to give you whatever you need to make the enclosure - and his care- far more than he would ever need" he told me. But I just looked at him as though he had spoken in a different language. "You're going to spear head the whole thing. I'm going to get a team in for you, or pick your own- whatever- and you do what you need to, to fix your proposal." he said, yet again though I just stared at him. His wry smile showed his amusement at my reaction. "well done though on all you hard work in all of this. I know the funding came out of nowhere, but it's here and we sure as hell are going to do it justice, right?" he asked, making me nodded frantically. "I have Lawrence overseeing Groot's morning regime because of all this. I want you to take this morning to let it all sink in and we'll arrange a time when we can go through everything and set the wheels fully in motion when the money is cleared and we can begin. Here's the info I have on everything" he said, leaning over to place a folder in front of me. "if you need anything you know where I am" he said, signalling the end of the chat. I nodded at him and got up out of the chair. I was still like a deer caught in a car's headlights, but it was slowly seeping in. I think. "I'll be in my office or with Groot if you need me" I said, even though I knew he'd just get me on my walkie, but still. So I grabbed my bag and the folder off his desk and left the office.

...........

"I still can't believe it Charl" I sighed as I scanned over the paperwork for about the 11th time this morning. "who is it that donated it? Or was it anonymous?" she asked on the other end of the phone. "erm...." I scanned over the form for a name, "a Mr Robert Capuano...or however that's pronounced" I shook my head "either way, I'm like dreaming right now. I get to give Groot everything his little turtle brain could dream of!" I squeaked hearing Charlie snort, "you're such a little nerd" she said- in the nicest possible way of course. "yeah well, this little nerd will be MIA for the next 3 months whilst I get this all set up" I sighed in contentment.

"Err, hang on, no" she interrupted me, causing me to frown. "what?"

"what do you mean what?! 3 months from now takes us to September."

"so?"

"Sooo....that isn't gonna happen. I need you for a weekend in August" she stated. "for what?" I asked, obviously confused. "duh, Comic Con" she sassed. "fuck no" I blurted out, luckily I was in my office where no one would hear me- or my foul language. "fuck yes" Charlie shot back. I huffed "there is no way on God's green Earth that I am setting foot in another Comic Con Charlie Simpkins. Not in a million fucking years."