Violet giggled, trying to bite her lips to smother the sound. "So is that why you approved her application so easily?"
"No," Berto said, giving her a dirty look. "I would like to remind you that I wasn't even here when I approved that. Cessily said it was a good idea, so I trusted her opinion."
"But not mine?" Darnell asked. "Oh, I see how it is. I could've told you that she's cute. I mean, those three couldn't. They don't see anything but Violet, but I checked her out. You know, taking one for the team and all."
"You checked her out?" Cessily asked, huffing at him.
But her antics didn't work. Darnell just grinned at her impishly. "What? This thing between us is casual. Just keeping track of my options. When you go back to California, I'll need someone to talk to me on these visits back home."
I shook my head at him. "That's not working like you want it to, Darnell."
"Oh, I think it is," Darnell said, but his eyes were still on Cessily. "Don't worry, Cess. I don't poach my brothers' crushes."
"Not a crush," Berto groaned. "See, this is the problem with family. There always has to be someone who is going to give me hell about being single. I would like all of you to know that my campaign manager has that handled perfectly. I am also not getting married for political points. Just not happening."
"He's still playing the field," Cessily teased.
"So are you," Ash pointed out. "Oh wait, am I not supposed to say that part out loud?"
The conversation kept on like that while we ate. At one point, Violet excused herself and headed to the ladies’ room. When a pair of women got up to follow her, Cessily headed that way as well. The two were gone for just a little too long. Cy was shifting in his seat too much and Billy's eyes were locked on the hall that led to the restrooms.
"She'll be fine," I promised, seeing the tensions rising. "At worst, someone will talk shit about Southwind."
"Not the kind of place where women shank others in the bathroom," Ash added. "And Vi really can hold her own."
"So can Cess," Darnell promised. "I've made sure she knows a little self-defense."
But when the pair finally came back, we all breathed a sigh of relief - until I saw the look on Violet's face. She was pissed, and while her smile was still perfect, the gleam in her eyes made me realize that she was thinking about revenge. Cessily, however, didn't try to hide that she was pissed.
"Fucking bitches!" she hissed.
"They can't all like us," Violet said, sounding more like she was trying to reassure herself than anyone else. "They're also in the minority."
"Who?" I asked.
Violet shook her head. "I don't know. Just a pair of women who wanted us to know that we're whores and not suitable to be around kids."
"Said something about how we deserve everything we get," Cessily added. "It sounded like a threat."
"Which means I'm staying up tonight," Billy said. "The message on your car was directed at you, not the guys, Vi."
"And there's been plenty directed at the guys too!" she hissed. "No. Fuck this. I'm done being nice and - "
"Easy there," Ash said, cutting her off. "No blowing up the town until we get the vote. After that, you can go nuclear, ok? Just one more week."
"Less," Cy corrected. "Thursday. We just have to make it until then."
"And if we lose?" Violet asked.
"Then we go to plan B," Berto assured her. "There is always a comeback, Violet. Always. I promise that Billy and I have not been working this hard just to pass out flyers. There's a plan B, C, and D. If we don't get it this time, then we will next."
"And Southwind is ready to open next semester!" she countered. "Am I just supposed to sit around waiting - for years, possibly - until enough people move or die for us to have a chance?"
"Or you take over the city government," Berto countered. "Add pressure to the ones throwing up roadblocks and convince them to shut up or move. No, you don't just wait."
"Right now," Billy told her, "we're playing it safe. We're doing it the right way. If that fails, then I get to have a little fun." Then he leaned over the table. "Told you I should've had him removed."
"And I'm starting to think I was an idiot for saying no," Violet admitted.
