Reye's Gold Read Online Free PDF Page A

smile.
    “Yes, you,” she said as if she’d reached into Reye’s brain and plucked that thought out. “Did you have any trouble finding us?”
    “No, no trouble at all. I grew up in Austin, so I know my way around.”
    “Great. Let me show you the center while I tell you about our program,” she said and turned away after indi cating that Reye should follow her. “Children come to our center after school for assistance with homework. Most of the children require some type of assistance in the three R’s, and we do our best to help. But, like most non-profits, we always fall short of recruiting volunteers. Professor Wallace told me that she felt that you had a par ticular talent, a gift, even, and, more importantly, a heart for those children who had difficulties learning.”
    “Professor Wallace told you that? About me?” She voiced her thoughts out loud this time.
    Dr. Houston laughed, a small sound, like little bells.
    “She probably had me confused with someone else,” Reye said jokingly. “I would think you would need the best and the brightest to teach kids with learning issues, and that is so not me.”
    “I think you underestimate yourself,” Dr Houston said. “Professor Wallace told me that you dedicate your self ardently to those tasks set before you. We need vol unteers who have that passion, and it’s a bonus if they come with an insiders view into our student’s struggles.”
    Dr. Houston stepped into a room Reye hadn’t seen earlier. Five children, four boys and one girl, sat around those little tables and chairs that she’d outgrown by kindergarten. Pencils, scattered papers, and books littered the tables. A tall, slender Hispanic young man leaned over the back of a student’s chair, talking. They all turned at the sound of the door opening.
    “Hello, children,” Dr. Houston said as she moved to stand in the middle of the room. “I have someone I would like you to meet.” She turned and pointed to Reye. “This is Ms. Reye, and she is visiting the center. She may work with some of you after school, like Javier.” The young man smiled while five pair of eyes stared at Reye. Dr. Houston introduced Javier, also a volunteer, who had been with the program for two years.
    They spent time observing him work with the children. He moved between the children answering ques tions and redirecting them when they became distracted. After about ten minutes, Dr. Houston stood up to leave, and Reye followed.
    “Thank you, Javier and children, for your time,” Dr. Houston said. She led Reye from the room. Outside the door, she turned to Reye and asked, “Well, what do you think?”
    Reye paused for a second to look around the center again. “If you and Professor Wallace think this is a good idea, I’ll do my best to help you.”
    “Great,” Dr. Houston said and beamed.
    “ When do you want me to start, and how many days would I be here?” Reye asked.
    “Well, I was hoping you would be available to work at least three days a week. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday would be preferable, but we are flexible. Do you think that would work?”
    “Yes, I do.”
    “Could you start Monday?”
    Yikes, so soon, she thought. “Yes, I think so, but let me double-check my schedule and call you,” Reye said. By this time they had walked back to the front entrance of the center.
    “Thank you so much for your time, Reye, and I look forward to working with you,” Dr. Houston said, moving to engulf Reye in a hug.
    “Thank you.” Surprised by the hug and the easy camaraderie between them, Reye returned the embrace and left.
    * * *
     
    Finally, the weekend had arrived, ending a very long and demanding week for Stephen. His fraternity, Phi Beta Nu, was preparing to host an end of the week party and he had been toying with the idea of inviting Reye. He hadn’t called her at all, but she’d been in his thoughts. He remembered her smile and her laughing after her fall, but mostly he thought about that parting