Page 59 of All Mine

“Just think of all the jobs you don’t have to leave town for,” I said.

A rumble went through the crowd.

“But, we’ll lose part of our history. Build it somewhere else.”

“If you cared about the history, you should have protested when it was up for a zoning change. It’s already a commercial lot. I didn’t pick the spot, but it is a great place.”

“I wasn’t born when that happened.”

“I didn’t know that,” I barked, committed to arguing.

Lauren scoffed. Had she finally run out of words? The crowd all spoke at once.

“All right, quiet down,” Mrs. Pennington called. She resumed when the murmur settled. “Lewis, have you decided on the sale?”

“I have not.” Lewis stood, still wearing flannel, his face beet red.

“What? But, we agreed?”

Lewis grimaced. “She makes some good points.”

“No, she doesn’t.”

“I don’t know what’s best for the town,” Lewis admitted.

“How about not dying?” I asked.

“You’ve had your say, Cutie Pie,” Mrs. Pennington said.

“What about giving the town’s people a say in what happens to their town?” Lauren asked.

“What?” My voice tone hadn’t been that high since before puberty.

“Let’s put it up to a town vote,” she said.

“That’s crazy. Surely the council can see how this land sale is a private matter and isn’t up for public opinion.”

“I’m okay with it,” Lewis said. “I’ll abide by what the town wants.”

“You’ll do what?” Surely my ears deceived me.

“I don’t know what to do. So, if they want a new shopping center, then I’ll step aside and sell. A town vote makes the most sense.”

“It’s a private sale,” I said, my voice swallowed by the tide of noise from the crowd.

“Quiet,” Mrs. Pennington boomed, and the room settled. “The council will vote on the matter. All those in favor of putting the Palmer land sale up for town vote, raise their hand.”

Four of the seven people behind the table raised their hand, including Mrs. Pennington. So much for her liking me.

“The vote passes. The town will vote on the matter of the Palmer land sale in thirty days.”

Thirty days? Stephen will fire me when he finds out about this. He made it clear that he wanted no more delays, and now the sale will not happen for at least thirty days, and the town’s people vote on the outcome. I’m screwed.

Lauren smirked at me and turned to go as the surrounding volume grew. I followed.

“I hope you’re happy,” I yelled after her.

“No.” She turned to face me. “Happy would have been them telling you to get the hell outta town, that we’d never sell. And I’d never see your stupid face again.”

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