There’s a stirring in my stomach willing Derick to stand and state before this small gathering that he loves Wiley’s. That he’s on my side. That all those posts and long nights and wild snack-shack shenanigans were done with the belief that Wiley’s was worth saving.
I need to hear that he cares before my heart breaks into seventeen, eighteen, nineteen more pieces.
But his head is hung, his shoulders are slumped, and I can almost hear the shards in my chest as they crack apart and fall to the base of my sternum.
“I must say, Mr. Haverford, your plans to pour asphalt over a community gem is concerning,” says Sal DeFalco, the middle-aged building inspector. “You must understand that the architecture of Wiley’s Drive-In, the snack shack, the beloved sign, all can be considered historical resources, which we as a review board have a duty to uphold. The team we sent out to inspect the lot found evidence that backed up that statement.”
“I’m not sure how a hut with dancing lollipops on it counts as a resource,” Mr. Haverford scoffs.
“There’s a giant shoe on the historic registry, Mr. Haverford,” says Sylvia Mueller, the real estate broker who’s wearing a fifties-style polka-dot dress. “History is not always in the eye of the beholder.”
Carl clears his throat. “Like the plucky preservationist in the Wiley’s T-shirt, I, too, believe your parking lot will destroy the character of our historic district and do a great disservice to the history of a business that is already too hard to find in our country.” He nods at me in acknowledgment. “Do I hear a movement to recommend to Borough Council to deny the application?”
“So moved,” Sylvia says.
“Second,” says Sal.
“All those in favor,” Carl announces, “sayaye.”
A unanimous round of ayes rings out.
The way it hits my ears, it’s almost choral. Their overlapping spoken words create beautiful music, vamping to send us into the next stage of our fight.
As Alice would say: Onward! Huzzah!
Text Message
Wiley’s Staff Chat
*Mateo Trinidad left this chat*
*Derick Haverford has been removed from this chat*
Youssef
Anyone know if the schedule has changed this week because of the big news?
Wren
Hello, all.
First off, I want to apologize for my behavior this summer, especially, but not limited to, the night of the accident. I haven’t been focused, and I hope you can forgive me for slacking.
Second, I want you to know that Wiley’s needs us now more than ever. Mr. Haverford’s demolition plans are going before the Borough Council next week. We need all the community support we can get to ensure they aren’t approved.
Tell your friends, tell your family, tell the media, tell anyone who will listen.
Lastly, if you feel so inclined, join us on Monday for a planning meeting at my house. We’re not going down without a fight.
Chapter 26
It’s like the Fourth of July all over again.
My backyard is bustling.
The old lawn chairs from our drive-in viewing days are arranged in a circle in the grass. Alice sits to my left, foot tapping anxiously, and Earl to my right. Across from me, Mom, Dad, and Claire type on various tablets and laptops. There are books and manila folders sprinkled around their feet.
Avery convinced a begrudging Mateo to come pitch in, so they’re off to the side, sunglasses on and noses buried in information. The rest of the Wiley’s crew keeps company by the swing set.
