Page 16 of Strength of the Mountain
“I’m Sadie,” the red-headed woman says, giving me a bright smile. “It’s incredible what you’ve done here. I can tell we’ll all be friends.”
“Hi, I’m Gabby,” the brunette greets. She seems a little more reserved than Sadie, but she has kind eyes and a gentle smile. “Did Lily tell you that we used to work for Top Spot?”
“Both of you?!” I exclaim. “Wow. So… what are you doing here?”
Sadie laughs light-heartedly. “Top Spot is terrible. They bully everyone, whether it’s small business owners or their own employees.”
“Yeah, and only the big players up top get the credit for success. They’ve gone too far, and we want them out of this town for good,” Gabby adds.
“Since you know the company better than anyone, can you tell me if you think the protest today will deter them at all?” I ask.
Gabby and Sadie share a look. “Every little bit helps,” Sadie finally says. “Seeing how many people showed up today will prove that no one wants them to get a foothold in this town. Maybe if we can convince Cindy, the CEO, she’ll call the dogs off and leave us alone for good.”
I can tell she’s trying to stay positive, but the look in her green eyes tells me she doesn’t quite believe it herself.
“Enough speculation,” Lily chimes in. “Let’s get this thing started. We’re marching around the block, right?”
I nod in confirmation. “Then we’ll have a few people speak on the makeshift stage we set up in front of the community center. We’re hoping the people from Top Spot arrive while we’re giving our speeches so they can see how passionate we are.”
The four of us take up our signs and join the crowd. Hayden catches up to us a few moments later, his hand slipping in mine and giving it a squeeze. “I’m so proud of you, angel. Look at everything you’ve accomplished.”
I blush and start to shake my head no, but Hayden nods his head up and down dramatically, making me giggle. “I’m still not used to these kinds of compliments,” I admit.
Hayden lifts his hand to my face, cupping it gently as he pulls me closer. He presses his lips to my forehead in the sweetest kiss. “I know, but I promise to give them to you anyway, every day.” I squeeze his hand, and we break apart just in time to start walking.
Kelsey leads everyone around the block, using a megaphone to shout out chants. We didn’t want to make the trek too long since there are kids and elderly folks joining us, so this is the perfect distance.
Within fifteen minutes, we’re back in front of the community center. Pamela, Travis, and Tonya McClone get up on stage and share a beautiful story of how Hope Mountain Community Center provided an opportunity for her to get sober and build abetter life for her family. It brings tears to my eyes, as well as a few others in the crowd.
We’ve grown in numbers since the march, the crowd spilling into the road and blocking traffic. Good.
“That’s Cindy’s car!” Gabby says, pointing to a sleek black sports car. I’m surprised it made the trip up here. It’s not exactly an all-terrain vehicle.
The opulence and impracticality of the car shows that these people don’t care at all about this town. I’m sure they want to make the roads wider and pave them all the way up and down the mountain so rich, snobby people like her can drive their fancy cars here without difficulty. It makes me mad all over again.
I smirk when I see the car stuck on the other side of the protesters. Two more vehicles behind her back up, giving her room to turn around. All three cars drive around the block, only to be met with more protesters on the other side of the building.
Lily, Sadie, Gabby, and I laugh when they have to park a block away and walk the rest of the way to the building.
“Serves her right for sending me up the mountain by myself,” Sadie says under her breath. I’m not quite sure what her story is, but it sounds like she’s enjoying karma in action.
“You’re up,” Lily says, nudging me.
I swallow thickly and nod. My stomach flips as my anxiety flares up. I don’t like public speaking, but I have to say something. I can’t let this opportunity slip through my fingers.
Hayden takes my hand, pulling me into his chest so he can wrap his arms around me. “You’ve got this, Cami. Just speak from that bold, brilliant, kind heart of yours.”
I nod and kiss his chest before stepping back. As I climb the three stairs to the podium, I wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans and clear my throat. Staring out over the crowd of people, a sense of belonging and understanding washes over me. We’re allhere for the same reason, and that gives me the courage to finally speak.
“The Hope Mountain Community Center is more than just a building. It’s more than a place to hold meetings and host parties. The community center is home to so many of us, a safe haven, and a beacon of hope, just like our town’s namesake.”
A few cheers and whistles bolster my confidence. I notice a commotion amongst the protesters gathered, smirking when I see Cindy and her goons fighting their way through the crowd. People are standing in their way, purposefully making it difficult.
“And we’re not going to let our home be invaded,” I continue. Whoops and hollers erupt, and I catch the look of disdain Cindy has when her eyes land on me. “We’re done being bullied by big real estate companies who think they can get away with threatening us. They’ve tried to break our spirit, but they underestimated us. Stay strong, friends. Keep hope alive.”
Cheers and applause break out, the sound almost deafening. I make my way off the stage, into Hayden’s waiting arms.
“You were incredible,” he tells me as he picks me up and spins me around. I giggle and cling to his neck until he sets me down on my feet again. “I knew you would be.”
