“Will there be a sexy ski instructor who can show me the ropes?” Maisie asked, running her hands over India’s back under her shirt.
“I think so,” India said. “But only if she can dress you in a cute ski outfit.”
Maisie laughed and said, “I think that’s a deal, then.”
???
Maisie was more than nervous now. There had to be a word above that to describe what she was feeling because her palms were sweaty and her throat was so dry, she had to take a long gulp from the water bottle she had brought with her. As she turned around, she saw India, Lainey, Paige, and even Dana sitting in the front row. Then, the back doors opened, and several more women walked in. Maisie recognized a few of them.
“I brought in some reinforcements. I hope you don’t mind,” India said, approaching her. “You know Logan and Rory. That’s Candace and her fiancé, Keith.” India pointed. “You remember Sophie. She’s here with her girlfriend, Bryce. Melinda is over there.”
Melinda walked in holding hands with a woman who was probably her fiancée, Kyle, Maisie guessed.
“That’s Bridgette and Monica,” India continued. “Jill and Willa. There’s Asher and Linden. Myra and Elisa are with Gwen and Juliet. Finley and Molly are here, too. Oh, and that’s Enid and Caroline, but you know Caroline now. I think that’s everyone. Ava couldn’t be here because she’s with Stephania, but she told me to tell you good luck.”
“You asked them all to come here?” Maisie asked.
“I wanted you to have people in your corner,” India replied with a smile.
“Thank you,” Maisie said.
India kissed her and said, “You’re going to kill it. I’ll see you after.”
Maisie took a deep breath before turning back around. Soon, the meeting was called to order, and all the councilors took their respective seats. Maisie cleared her throat when they told her that she could begin with the first item on the agenda.
“Good evening,” she began and looked down at her notes. “Chapter & Verseis the oldest independently owned bookstore in the country. It was built before Louisiana was even part of the US. This shop has withstood the test of time. It has weathered every storm Mother Nature has thrown at this great city, and it continues to attract visitors to this day. I could list the names of all historical figures and important people who have visited the shop or who have been photographed in and outside of it, but that would take me longer than the time I’ve got with you tonight. This shop was here before the Louisiana Purchase, and there’s a record in the archives describing conversations about part of that significant event happening in the very building. I’ve provided more information on it in the accompanying application. I know I’ve been here before, telling you all of this, but I want to talk to you about what we’re doing to address the present and the future while still paying respect to the past, which, I believe, is something New Orleans has always done well and needs tocontinue to do well to survive.” She stopped to take her first breath and turned the page on the podium. “Recently, I have partnered with NOLA Guides, New Orleans’ number one tour company. They’re responsible for directing thousands of tourists a year through our city. They will be directing at least six tours a week toChapter & Verse, where we’ll offer discounts on historical books about New Orleans, among other things. We’ll also be offering book readings, signings, and performances for some of the most well-known authors today, with an emphasis on Louisiana authors, poets, and musicians. On top of this, we’ve also partnered with Southern Roastery, a homegrown coffee company that happens to have its corporate office right next door. We’ll be connecting the shop to Southern, and they’ll be opening their café up to our customers. That’s where the performances and readings will take place, but we’ll also be showing local artists and their work, including an artist who is actually in this room right now.” She turned and saw Caroline wave a little. “Melinda Andrews, the owner of NOLA Guides, is here as well. She can confirm what I’ve said about her company if need be. That’s just the beginning. I know we have more to offer, and I plan to make it all happen. We will preserve the historical significance of the building and the events that occurred there, while also celebrating what New Orleans has become. I hope you can see whyChapter & Versedeserves the honor and protections of historical landmark status, as well as what it can and will continue to bring to this community. Thank you.”
Maisie’s eyes widened when she heard loud applause coming from behind her. She turned to see everyone in the audience, mostly her friends or India’s, cheering her on. She sighed in relief that at leastthispart was over.
“Miss Lincoln, you’ve been denied this status twice. Yet, you’re here for a third time. Why do you believe we should grant you this status now?” one of the councilors asked her.
“That’s a good question,” she said. “I understand why I was denied before.” She looked straight at Colter, but she wasn’t going to call him or any of the others out in this forum. “I believe what you were all looking for wasn’t just to give out a plaque that gets attached to a building that used to matter. There are so many of those all over this city. Some don’t exist anymore, unfortunately, because of time or storms, but my simple brick building is still here, standing strong. I’ve left it to do just that on its own for a long time, but now, it’s not just history. I’m making it relevant again. It’s about what it can do for the city.”
“Okay. Thank you,” the councilor said and looked over at the other officials.
“How much more anticipated revenue do you believe your moves will make for yourself and the city in taxes?” Colter asked.
“I have provided those numbers in the application, but I’m happy to go over them again, if needed,” Maisie replied and heard India clear her throat. She knew it was her without even turning around, so she smiled a little and added, “I’m also expanding my online system, which will bring in even more.”
“But no more jobs if it’s online,” Colter argued.
“Actually, it will.”
“But not in New Orleans, right? At some distribution facility in–”
“In New Orleans, sir,” she said. “Not right away, but I expect to need at least three new people within the next month or two in order to handle the increase in traffic in the store and online. After that, I have some projections that my consultant worked up for me. She’s here if you need her to answer any questions, but we plan to use part of the Southern Roastery approved project to provide extra space forChapter & Versewithout damaging the building itself.”
“That project is a parking garage,” Mr. Jameson said.
“Yes, but it also has a day care and a gym inside it, and it’ll have additional space for my shop as well. I’ll be paying rent to Southern Roastery in exchange for that space, as well as a few parking spots. That’s also in my application.”
Colter looked over Maisie’s shoulder. Maisie turned tosee India lifting an eyebrow at him, as if to say, ‘I dare you to question me.’ Colter then cleared his throat similarly to how India had just done moments earlier.
“We have other items on the agenda tonight. I think we can vote on this,” the only female councilor said. “Agreed?”
There were a few nods, and a couple of them said yes. Maisie hadn’t expected that. The previous two times she had been here, there had been more questions for her, and they’d needed to deliberate.
“On the issue of granting historical landmark status toChapter & Verse, what say you? Yay or nay?”
