Open Mic Night
Monday, February 24
First come, first serve.
Mural Painting
By Lulu Chan
Call city hall for more information.
16
CALEB
Now . . .
The mural had the desired effect. At the next town council meeting, more citizens than usual filled city hall, chatting about “their town,” wondering what else could be done to energize the East End.
Just before Simon brought the meeting to order, Emery took the chair next to Caleb. He’d not seen much of her since their Org. Homestead stroll, though they were able to grab a dinner last night, where she’d updated him on Ava—she and Jamie had a good long talk and found a smaller home in Gate Mills that suited them both.
“Though they’re planning a fewupdates.”
“While planning a wedding?”Caleb said.
“You haven’t met Ava. She’ll have it all researched,organized,and contractors hired by the end of the week.”
“MaybeI’ll meet her one day.”That sounded more hopeful than he’d intended. But he was curious about Emery’s family. Wouldn’t mind seeing the Boyfriendinator again either.
Up front, Simon reviewed old business, beginning with thesuccess of the mural. Then Mac Diamond interrupted the proceedings when he rose to his full six-foot-five.
“Before you go on and on about piddly stuff like murals and banners and mending bricks on Old Sea Blue Way”—his tone was bold yet even, like one of his commercials advertisings his golf courses—“those of us council members representing the West End want to declare an intent to separate from the East End and become our own municipality.”
At his podium, Simon visibly froze. The air seemed to stop moving. Next to Caleb, Emery tapped furiously on her phone. Mac gazed steadily around the room, from Simon to the council members, to Caleb and Emery, and to the citizens surrounding them.
“As I hear no objection, please let the record show—”
“I object.” Simon was a volcano about to erupt. More objections fired around the room from the East End council members, Caleb, and the citizens in attendance.
“Mac Diamond,” Adrianna Holmes said with dubious surprise, “you actually want to tear the town apart?”
“Wake up, Adrianna, the town is torn apart. We’re just tugging on the last thread.”
“Point of order,” Simon said, his voice reflecting his fiery demeanor. “Nothing is decided just because Mac declares it. We have to have a discussion to even start the research of such a move.”
“This makes no sense,” Emery whispered to Caleb. “A month ago, they suggested bulldozing the Org. Homestead. Now they want to leave the town and go on their merry way?” She raised her hand. “Mr. Diamond, Emery Quinn, theGazette.” He looked like he was trying to suppress a laugh. “Don’t you need the East End for your development plans? Wasn’t your plan last month to bulldoze the Original Homestead neighborhood?”
“Ms. Quinn, you’re new here—”
“Answer the question, Mr. Diamond. How do you plan to keep developing your hotels and golf courses without the East End?”
Alfred Gallagher launched to his feet. “There’s plenty of land on the other side of—”
“What Al means,” Mac said, “is we have other opportunities. We just thought the East End would like to cash in with us.”
“What if everything isn’t about money, Mr. Diamond?” Emery was on fire tonight. “What if it’s about community, history, and planning for future generations to know who they are and where they came from? What if restoration is more valuable than dollars?”
“I can see you’re not a businesswoman.”
