Page 11 of Fight for You

My chest tightens as memories flood my mind—memories of countless hours spent within the walls, both as a patron and an employee. Page Turners is my refuge, my sanctuary during the tumultuous times following the divorce. It is more than a building; it is a symbol of strength and resilience.

As I glance around the room, the same pain mirrors in the faces of others. Page Turners isn't only important to me; it is a haven for many in the community. A place where friendships are formed, knowledge is shared, and dreams are nurtured.

“Mayor Collins,” I call out, voice surprisingly steady despite the emotions coursing through me. “What about the people whorely on our store? The children who come to learn and explore, the elderly who find solace in its quiet corners?”

“I understand your concern,” Mayor Collins replies, my gaze unwavering. “But sacrifices must be made for the greater good. We must prioritize the future of Lawson Ridge.”

“Isn't our local commerce part of that future?” I counter, voice rising with passion. “It's more than a building. You can't rip it away from us. It’s been the local bookstore for decades.”

The room falls silent, all eyes on me and Mayor Collins as we lock gazes, resolute in our convictions. For me, this is more than a fight for a building—it is a fight for the soul of Lawson Ridge. And I am not going down without a battle.

“If you would like to discuss this more, you can come by my office anytime.”

What am I going to do? If they tear it down, I will be unemployed. Doesn’t the town understand Page Turners is a special place? Not everyone can afford new books, and it helps our kids. Shouldn’t they be encouraging kids to learn and read? Tearing it down did the opposite. There must be something we can do.

I shake my head and storm out with a heavy mind going back to the bookstore. I stand at one of the large windows and watch children playing in the park across the street. Taking a deep breath, I turn away from the window and pace the length of the store, hair bouncing with each step. I can't accept the mayor's plans without a fight.

Think, Brylee, think. I wring my hands. My mind races with possibilities, each more far-fetched than the last. And then, like a bolt of lightning, an idea struck me. If I can rally the support of the community, maybe we can convince Mayor Collins to reconsider her plans. I can get the bank to see reason.

“Of course,” I whisper, excitement bubbling up. “We'll show her how much this means to us.”

I pull out my phone and scroll through the contacts. First, I call my best friend. “We have to save the bookstore.”

“Count me in,” she replies without hesitation. “What's the plan?”

“First, we're going to organize a protest,” I say. “We'll gather outside Town Hall and show Mayor Collins the people of Lawson Ridge stand behind it.”

“Great idea,” she agrees. “I'll spread the word and get some posters made.”

“We need to reach out to the local businesses and organizations that benefit from our programs. They can write letters of support and speak at the next town meeting.”

“Leave it to me. I’ll start making calls tomorrow.”

“Together, we're going to save it.”

As I hang up the phone, a surge of determination courses through my veins. This isn't about protecting a building—it is about preserving the heart and soul of Lawson Ridge. And with the help of my friends and neighbors, we have a fighting chance.

Mayor Collins picked the wrong battle.

9

Leo

The level of slobber on my face is beyond acceptable, yet Lana disregards the complaints. The chocolate lab can’t resist. Since she was just a puppy, I’ve been taking care of her, and her visits are always enjoyable, regardless of the reason. While my assistant draws blood for testing, I rub her head.

“We’re gonna figure out what’s wrong with you, pretty girl. Okay? Don’t worry.” A snort escapes my throat as she licks my cheek. “I’ll be soaking wet by the time you leave here, girl.”

Once the draw is done, she lays down. She is used to her visits. The worst part is talking to the owners once the results are back.

After tending to another animal, the test results show nothing, but with the digestive issues they are describing, it is likely due to Lana’s weight. It is a common issue among labradors. I leave her asleep in the kennel while I go to talk to the owners.

“Hey, Mr. and Mrs. Matta. So, the results came back fine, but we should talk about getting her set up on a restrictive diet to help with the weight issues. I know we have been battling this for a couple of months, but we really don’t want her issues to progress.”

“Do you have any suggestions? Because we work during the daytime, we leave a container for her that dispenses.”

“So, let’s remove that. Dogs don’t need to have forever access to food, or they will likely overeat. Let’s try getting her this food here.” I hand them a card. “Give her a small bowl of it before you leave in the morning and then another bowl for dinner. Let’s try to cut back on the human food too.”

Mrs. Matta snickers. “Good luck! My husband can’t say no to her. Just last night, she had chicken and vegetables.”

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