Page 36 of Nyx

"I'll show you the rooms," Victoria says. "See you soon, ladies."

I follow Victoria from the kitchen, walking back toward the office area.

"Also, about breaks, I wouldn't suggest taking them in the office. The door is always open unless you're speaking with someone privately. You're more than welcome to share as much about your own story as you like, but keep in mind that you'll be seen as a mentor to these women. As you well know, use caution. Some women have been conditioned to manipulate people."

"Of course," I tell her as we head toward the stairs. "This house is very well maintained."

"It is," she confirms. "Any issues that you see, whether it be scuffs, nicks, or something not working properly, just let the guys know or write it in the daily log. Things get fixed very quickly around here."

That hasn't been the case in a lot of the places I've worked. Budgets for most shelters are shoestring thin, and it wasn't uncommon for issues to go on for months without repair or remedy.

"This is the supply closet," Victoria says as she pulls a set of keys out of her pocket.

I'm not surprised to see it locked. With trauma comes the need to try to be prepared at all times in fear that they may not have what they need when they need it, and more often than not, that includes scarcity hoarding and resource guarding.

Victoria opens the closet, revealing rows and rows of personal hygiene items, clothing, and other daily necessities.

"The women know to come to staff if they need anything, but this is more overflow for those coming in with nothing. We place an online order twice a week for anything specific they want or need. They'll come to you to let you know if they need something. Just add it to the log. There's a shopping list section in the app."

"Got it," I tell her, loving how efficient this place seems to be.

"There are eight bedrooms in this hall. As I said, only four are currently filled. We don't enter a resident's private area unless invited. They all have keys to their own rooms. You have a master key on your keyring. Our new resident will go in the orange circle room," she says, pointing to a room with an open door.

The orange circle she mentioned is on the wall at eye level, beside the door.

"The rooms are all designated with a color and a shape. We figured that putting the names outside the rooms would make them feel uncomfortable. Have a look," she says, waving her arm toward the open door.

I step inside. The room is massive, bigger than the one in my apartment.

"We set up the rooms in advance to accommodate their needs," she says, pointing to a twin-size bed across the room from the queen on the far wall. "Kayla has a daughter."

"So we'll have three children in residence then?"

"Not immediately. Kayla's daughter was placed in temporary foster care, but we hope to reunite them soon. Dana has two smaller beds to accommodate her children."

"What are the age restrictions on children in this home?"

"Sometimes we take survivors who are under eighteen, but that process is handled through collaboration with other agencies in town. As far as children of survivors, we have a separate home for women with older male children."

"Older?" I ask.

Victoria nods. "Any resident with a male child fourteen or older goes to our sister location."

"Makes sense," I say, giving the room one last look before following Victoria out.

Victimization can happen at any age. Some are abused children in the same situation as their mother. Some are teen abuse survivors. Making accommodations for women with male teen children, rather than putting them in a home where a younger abuse survivor might be uncomfortable with them, is an incredible extra step to ensure everyone's needs are met.

"How many facilities does the organization run?"

"Anchor House has three in Farmington. A men's house, Ponderosa, this house, Juniper, and the house with women and older male children, Cottonwood."

"That's incredible," I say with genuine appreciation in my tone.

"Wish we didn't have to have so many places. Abuse should be abnormal, but it seems like a growing issue these days."

"I know," I agree.

"Ponderosa is currently empty. Cottonwood only has one family right now, and they're about to move to independent living," she explains.