"All of the entrants represent what this foundation is about—bringing art and creativity to your local communities. Not aiming for international recognition so that you can escape but rather to bring eyes and influence to help raise up your local communities. We think that Olivia has exemplified this spirit the most. Her approach to architecture gives a blueprint for other small towns and designers in those locales to make a lot out of very little. She represents the sprit that has historically made Western New York a unique place. Congratulations, Olivia."
Hazel's friend was teary-eyed as she shook the judges' hands.
We took pictures after the luncheon was over. Hazel smiled, but I could tell she was sad. I whispered dirty jokes in her ear, but she didn't even acknowledge me.
63
Hazel
Icouldn't believe it; Harrogate had actually won. But I lost. I was standing outside of the large event hall in a little out-of-the way alcove. A Fang Fei painting above me mocked me as I struggled not to cry. We had just finished taking pictures. Olivia, Josie, Archer, and the rest of the Svenssons were still inside basking in the congratulations.
I hastily wiped at the tears when Olivia hurried through the heavy double doors.
"Hazel, I'm so sorry," Olivia said, running to me, arms outstretched. I hugged my friend.
"You deserved it," I told her, my voice cracking.
"Don't cry," Olivia said, starting to tear up. I felt terrible that I was acting like a little girl instead of being supportive of my friend.
"I'm not," I told her, dabbing at my eyes. "I just haven't had enough sleep."
"I'm so sorry, Hazel," she repeated, grabbing my hands. "We'll split the money."
"It's too late. I'm so far behind on my debt, it would go to waste. Do something awesome with the prize money. It was a long-shot Hail Mary for me anyway."
"Why don't you ask Archer for help?" she asked, petting my hair.
"No way. I had to beg my uncle for money a few years ago, and I'm done with begging for handouts. I'll figure something out."
* * *
"What's wrong?"Archer asked, concerned, as he drove us home. "We won. You should be ecstatic."
"I wanted"—needed,my mind countered—"to win the grant. Like Chloe said, losing sucks."
"But you still have your business," Archer reminded me. "I know you don't want a handout, but if you do want to branch into catering, once the conference center is up and running, there will be a ton of work."
"So," I said, "you're definitely going to build your conference center."
Archer grinned. "Looks like it. I called in to the city and put it under contract. Money is floating away in cyberspace from Greg's bank account as we drive."
"You have enough hotel space? Greg didn't make it sound like it was going to be enough. What about McKenna?"
"I have something in the works," he assured me. He was being awfully cagey.
"So Mike's just going to let you do the conference center without knowing if you have enough keys?" I pressed.
"Hazel, we won," Archer said. His eyes flicked to me and back to the road. "Not doing the conference center is not an option. I will do anything to make sure this goes off without a hitch."
"Right."
"You want to get a drink?"
I mumbled, "I should do some work."Slash, pack up my life, wallow, wonder where it all went wrong,my brain reminded me.
"Are you sure?" Archer asked, pulling up in front of my café. "We should go celebrate. My brother is throwing an impromptu party. Ida might be there covered in nothing but body paint."
"I'm tired," I said.
