Dorothea Puentes's Arc

Chapter 3 of 9

Dorothea stood in the community center's main hall, watching volunteers sort through donation boxes. She had come here to learn how other people organized their charity work. The social worker might ask about her donation bin and the coin collection, so she needed to show she understood proper procedures. A bulletin board covered one wall, filled with flyers about food drives and clothing exchanges. She studied each notice, reading the details about how they tracked donations and kept records. One flyer explained a system using colored tags to mark different types of items. Another showed a chart for logging cash contributions. Dorothea pulled a small notepad from her purse and copied down the information. If she could prove her charity work followed real guidelines, the social worker would see her boarding house as part of something bigger. She wasn't just some landlord collecting rent—she was someone who helped her community. That's what would build trust. Outside, the carved stone fountain caught her attention. Water flowed over relief scenes showing people caring for others. The fountain honored those who dedicated their lives to helping the elderly and vulnerable. Dorothea stood watching the water cascade down the stone. This was what she wanted the social worker to understand about her. The boarding house wasn't just a business. It was her way of serving people who needed help. She touched the cool stone and traced one of the carved figures with her finger. The town recognized caregivers with this fountain. They valued people like her. She walked down the street and stopped at a bakery with bright painted signs in the window. Through the glass, she could see neighbors sitting at small tables near a brick oven. They talked over coffee and pastries, catching up on neighborhood news. This was where people gathered every morning. This was where they would talk about her charity work. Dorothea pushed open the door and stepped inside. The smell of fresh bread filled the air. She ordered coffee and sat down near the window. Two women at the next table discussed a food drive. One of them mentioned the coin collection box on Dorothea's corner. "That woman runs a good operation," one said. Dorothea kept her eyes on her coffee cup, but she listened carefully. These conversations would reach the social worker eventually. Back at the boarding house, Dorothea placed a colorful welcome board near her front steps. The painted wood frame held information about services she offered and resources for people who needed help. Icons showed meal programs and donation collections. The board looked professional and inviting. When the social worker visited again, this would be one of the first things he saw. Dorothea stepped back and checked that the board stood straight. Everything she had learned today was coming together. The proper tracking systems. The town's respect for caregivers. The neighbors who spoke well of her work. These pieces would build the trust she needed. She straightened her glasses and walked back inside, ready for whatever questions came next.