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I smile at the women and then let them all escort me into the building.
For the next hour, they lead me around, showing me the farm, explaining the discussions the school board, faculty and parents, and even the city council have had. The farm isn’t complete, but they have a clear vision for the areas that aren’t finished and…it’s amazing.
I choke up several times and have to swallow down emotions.
Torin asked me if I wanted to see my ideas come to life.
I did. So much.
And he’s made it happen.
I don’t really understand why. At least, why here? But it’s real.
This farm was drawn up according to sketches given to an interior architect who turned it into a to-scale model and then builders and scientists and farmers, some from IAS in Sapphire Falls, turned that model into reality.
Johnny tells me Torin did those initial sketches himself, but it’s obvious he did it based on my papers. It’s exactly as I described it.
“We built everything exactly as Prince Torin drew up, right down to which crops were planted,” the mayor says.
“It’s all…incredible,” I tell them. “I’m so impressed with how quickly you’ve done it and I’m so excited about the enthusiasm around it.”
“Would you like to say a few words to everyone?” Brady asks.
I freeze. No. I absolutely would not like to say any words.
“Yes, please,” Johnny adds. “Torin has spoken with the group a few times and they love hearing that they’re doing good work and making the vision come to life. He’s so passionate about the project that it really rubs off on everyone.” Johnny chuckles. “Between your brains and his charisma, I dare anyone to say no to the two of you about anything.”
I actually am able to give a small smile at that. He has a point. Torin and I could do some pretty amazing things.
But then I realize he’s leading me toward a small stage with a freaking podium. I actually dig in my heels. “No, I really don’t need to say anything. I’m the behind-the-scenes girl. Torin is the speaker.”
“Sure,” Johnny says. “But everyone knows that this project is your idea. Torin never lets us forget that.” He gives me another wink. “Just say something about how this is the first of its kind—they love that—and that when you first thought it all up you didn’t know how great it would be in real life, and maybe throw in something about how great it is to be doing this in your hometown.”
He’s a mayor. Of course he thinks this is no big deal. Just stand up and talk to a crowd of people off the cuff.
If only the ‘off the cuff’ part was the whole problem. I would still be sweating and nauseated even if I’d prepared a speech.
And here I am, only a few yards away from my high school, the place where I first learned that I’m weird and it doesn’t matter what you say, it matters what you do.
People can say that you’re strange and a “mutant”, that no one likes you, and that you’re nothing special. And it doesn’t matter if you tell them they’re wrong.
But when you ace the test, solve the problem, get the award, earn the scholarship, and the degree, and the prestigious position, what they said doesn’t matter. If you give your detractors irrefutable proof that you are actually special and bright and worthy, then you can show them that all of their words were wrong.
But here I am about to speak about the real-life embodiment of my greatest idea and dream with Brady Fucking Schuster in the audience. Apology or not, I don’t want to speak in front of him about something that matters this much to me.
I just want to show him. Them. Everyone. I want them to just implement the programs, feed the kids, and then they’ll see for themselves how great it is.
But no, we have to talk about it first.
I swallow hard.
I guess if I puke in front of these people, it won’t be any worse than…no, it will be the worst of the times I’ve puked in public. But I guess they won’t ask me back to speak again, so there’s that.
I try to make my feet move, but I can’t. It’s like my boots have been nailed to the floor.
“I…um…I need a second…to…um…think of something to say,” I mumble quickly and start to turn away.
And suddenly there’s a big arm around my waist, practically lifting me, hurrying me away and around the corner and shoving a plastic bucket in front of me.
