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Post by Cale Robbins on Aug 5, 2009 15:01:21 GMT -5
"We're really trying to make this a weekly program. Right now, it's just once a month. We just think that with the recent happenings, we should invest more time in our children-"
The librarian was explaining to Cale about the reading program that the Hogsmeade Library was trying to really implement. Right now, it was a simple story hour, but Cale saw the potential for more. Maybe the library could even sponsor some kind of big brother program... well, Cale was getting ahead of himself. But he agreed with the librarian that children needed as much positive reinforcement as possible right now.
"That's Maggie," the woman said, halting him at the end of a bookcase. He took in about ten kids all listening intently to the brunette as she read a story... one of his favorites as a child, actually, about what happens to a rabbit that disappears in a hat at a magic show. "She's almost finished, but she's really the one you should talk to if she needs extra help. She'd probably be open to some of your ideas, too. Come and find me if you need anything."
Cale nodded, and the woman left him alone. He felt rather like one of the kids, watching Maggie like she was some kind of deity who had control over how the story ended.
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Post by Maggie O'Neil on Aug 5, 2009 21:58:37 GMT -5
Maggie adored children. Coming from the broken, abusive home that she had grown up with, Maggie's innocence had been shattered at a very young age, and as a result, she felt driven to help children and preserve their innocence. Children should be protected and cared for, and just allowed to be children. One day, she wanted kids of her own, but she wasn't sure she trusted men enough to let one get that close to her.
Since her arrival in England, she had mostly spent her time in Hogsmeade, trying to find a job. So far, all she had was this volunteer job, reading to the kids. She smiled at them as they listened, enthralled by the story. She used magic to change her voice every time a new character spoke, and every so often, she would wave her wand to make a little image appear in front of their faces to accentuate the story.
She read for nearly half an hour, unaware of the man watching her. If she had known he was there, she might have chased him away, believing that this was just for the children. When she finally finished, the kids all clapped for her, and a couple ran up to hug her.
"Thank you," she said, smiling at a little boy named Billy who told her she was pretty. "If you go see Agnes, she's got milk and cookies for you." She pointed over at the table near the front, where the librarian had set up a table with snacks for the children.
As the last of the kids had gone off to the table, Maggie began to straighten up the area and glanced up to see the man standing by the bookcase. "Oh, hello," she said, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Can I help you with something?"
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Post by Cale Robbins on Aug 6, 2009 23:26:40 GMT -5
Cale straightened up when she finally caught sight of him, and he had an easy going smile on his lips. If he noticed the way she narrowed her eyes, he said nothing about it. In fact, he just chalked it off to the fact that it probably did seem kind of strange to have a weird man in the back just watching a group of kids.
He stepped forward. "Actually, I was rather hoping I could help you with something. I've been talking with Agnes about this little program you have here for the kids. It's a good thing you're doing."
He figured it would be rude to jump straight into business, so he held out his hand. "I'm Cale." Once they established who they were, Cale figured he could start to talk to her about helping out sometimes.
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Post by Maggie O'Neil on Aug 7, 2009 0:22:09 GMT -5
She studied him for a minute, not speaking right away. It was in her nature to not trust most men, unfortunately, so she was usually on her guard when a man she didn't know tried to talk to her. But he had kind eyes. And he had apparently already been talking to Agnes about the program, so maybe this wasn't just another guy trying to hit on her.
"I'm Maggie," she said at last, accepting his outstretched hand. "It was actually Agnes who came up with the idea, I just volunteered to take over... I read to the kids, and I bring the snacks, too... I bought the cookies from that little bakery down the street. We're only supposed to do it once a month, but I would really like to see it become a weekly event... maybe even daily. I was also thinking of bringing fruits sometimes, to teach the kids about good nutrition."
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Post by Cale Robbins on Aug 7, 2009 11:38:01 GMT -5
Cale's smile widened. She was definitely passionate about these kids, and it made Cale just a bit fond of her, knowing nothing else about her.
He listened as she explained what she did, and he nodded. "Yes, Agnes was telling me she hoped to make it a weekly thing. I think that sounds like a good idea. Let me ask you this," he said, gesturing to a small table where they could sit. "How can I help you?"
He smiled, and then explained, "I heard about this through a friend who brings her daughter to you... the girl's name is Shannon. Maybe you know her? Anyway, it's a good thing, what you're doing, and I don't have any children or anything like that, but I would like be of any help I can be. I realize you don't know me at all, but I'm a decent guy, I promise."
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Post by Maggie O'Neil on Aug 8, 2009 1:06:34 GMT -5
Unfortunately, Maggie's natural distrust was holding her back. She followed him to the table and sat down, eying him doubtfully as he spoke. Her first instinct was to demand just exactly what he meant by "help." But she listened as he continued to speak. Having an endorsement from one of the children--and she remembered Shannon, a small girl with strawberry blonde curls--gave him a measure of credibility with her.
"What kind of help are you thinking of?" she asked. "I mean, do you want to take an active part, or are you thinking of offering financial support?"
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Post by Cale Robbins on Aug 10, 2009 13:33:53 GMT -5
"Do you need financial support?" Cale asked, his eyebrows going up just a bit. "I can help financially. I was looking for more of an active role, but whatever you need."
He really just needed to start doing things. He was lonely, and he couldn't spend his time waiting for her anymore. So now, he wanted to devote his time to good causes. It would keep him busy, and it was worthwhile as well.
"Why don't you tell me what you need, and I'll let you know where I can help."
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Post by Maggie O'Neil on Aug 11, 2009 0:30:57 GMT -5
Maggie let out a breath and rubbed her face. She was really not good at asking for help, or at accepting help when it was offered. She usually just acted defensive when that happened, and she forgot that sometimes people really, genuinely wanted to help.
"I'm sorry. I'm just... I'm used to being independent. Um, there are a lot of things you could do. We definitely could use some advertising... I know that there are more kids in the area than this. But people don't know about it, so they don't come. Um... if you wanted a really active part... we could maybe have an occasional program where we split them up into boys and girls, and talk to them separately about gender issues. Oh, and we might want to try reading some muggle story books to them, but we don't have access to them, so that would help..."
As she started to talk, ideas started to flow from her tongue, and her eyes took on a positive gleam. It was obvious how much all of this meant to her.
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Post by Cale Robbins on Mar 15, 2010 19:57:49 GMT -5
(Oooh, nice new sig!)
Cale could tell that as she started talking about her ideas, she was growing more comfortable and she seemed a lot more likely to accept his help. He nodded along as she spoke, letting himself think and getting his own ideas for things.
"I could get you access to a lot of muggle children's books, if that will help you. They may be older at first, but I don't think the kids will care. A story is a story, right? And I'd take an active roll. Whatever you need... yes to all of it."
Of course he wanted to do something good for the community, and he adored children. But part of this would have been for his own sanity as well. Keeping busy and keeping his mind off of all the other stuff... it was better for him.
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Post by Maggie O'Neil on Mar 22, 2010 16:00:00 GMT -5
Maggie was loosening up a little more. Whatever his motivations might have been, they seemed genuine and he seemed to have the kids’ best interests at heart. Seeing that someone else cared made it easier for her to relax and focus on her ideas.
“There’s another guy who comes in a couple of times a week, usually on the weekends, and he makes up his own stories, and draws pictures to go along with them. I think it would be great if we got some art supplies for them to try making their own pictures. Encourage their creativity… wizarding children so often don’t explore their own creativity… the focus is usually on magic. And if we’re really feeling ambitious, maybe we could have the kids put on a play.“
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