“We will pause here now for open comment,” Beckett intoned, addressing the crowd of citizens seated at the meeting. Beckett waited patiently for at least a minute, a minute that felt like it dragged on for an hour. She was obviously nothing if not totally thorough. “For the record, there is no public comment provided.”
Beckett picked up her pen, took more of her own notes, and set the pen back down.
“Ms. Banks, I understand from these plans and my conversations with community members that the creation of the existing Tribal gardens is a result of your own hard work, reestablishing our community’s knowledge on traditional cultivation and coordinating our community toward a vision of total food security based on healthy, culturally appropriate food grown in environmentally sustainable methods.”
Beckett paused. Juniper wasn’t sure whether she shouldrespond or not. She had been to so many of these damn meetings but nothing compared to this.
Rowan slid a pinky finger next to hers on the podium and tapped against it discreetly.
“It is,” Juniper responded.
A small smile curled the right edge of Beckett’s lips. “For the benefit of the Council’s knowledge, please tell us more.”
“Oh, I…” Juniper faltered, unsure how to respond.
Rowan linked their pinkies together, and Juniper took a calming breath. She launched into the entire history of her efforts, from starting her own garden, to working with other community members to start theirs, to teaching agricultural classes, to starting this fully-fledged program.
“Thank you, Ms. Banks, for providing that information to us and for being our community’s visionary toward that end of total food security. Making a difference in our community depends on the work of many people coming together with a shared focus, united by leadership that guides, is accountable, and paves the way forward. Our community needs more people like you, leaders who set aside their needs for personal praise or for instant gratification and success. As you said, this largely volunteer effort is seven years in the making. Citizens in the room, take note and ask her for guidance in your own efforts.”
“In addition,” she continued, “these were some of the most thorough plans I have ever seen submitted to this Council, which is why I wanted to ensure that everyone had adequate time to review and draft extensive comment, something that this caliber of thoughtfulness deserves from its elected leaders. The rest of Council will ask questions and provide their comments now.”
The rest of the Council provided their comments, mostly encouragement to Juniper and excitement for the future unveiling of the expansion and farmer’s market. Juniper had to actively fight back tears that welled in her eyes and threatened to spill out in front of everyone in the room.After a unanimously positive vote, the expansion plans were approved in their entirety.
“Thank you, Ms. Banks and Ms. Birdsong. I look forward to seeing the work unfold, and please invite us to the opening.”
“Thank you, Council. We will,” Juniper beamed.
Rowan unlocked their pinkies, gathered their papers, and waited for Juniper to pass by first. After they found their seats again, Juniper found it nearly impossible to sit through the remainder of the meeting. But she did. And she let her thoughts trail off, imagining all of the exciting things she had just been approved to plan, create, do. And how she hoped Rowan would be by her side through all of it.
???
When the meeting ended, as was customary, the community partook in drinks and refreshments as they discussed the events of the evening. Several people wanted to talk to Juniper, and Rowan was happy to provide her the space to shine. After saying hello and visiting with a few people, she returned to her seat to take another look at the plans, making mental notes of areas where they should prioritize working on first.
“I don’t think we’ve officially met.”
Rowan’s thoughts were interrupted by a formidable Councilwoman, now beside her and peering over her as she sat. Even though Rowan had a couple of inches on Beckett while standing, Beckett commanded a presence that someone seven feet tall would have no choice but to give.
Before Rowan could stand up, Beckett pulled the seat out next to her and sat down.
“No, I don’t think so. ”
“It’s Beckett. Don’t do the whole Councilwoman thing when I’m off the clock.”
Rowan let out a slight laugh, cautiously relieved but still alittle skeptical. “I can manage that.”
“Good.”
Even though Rowan was comfortable in the courtroom-style interactions that characterized the evening earlier, she was still a reserved, introverted person at heart who had trouble making small talk with someone she didn’t know, especially with someone like Beckett. She was wracking her mind, scrolling some sort of mental rolodex of opening lines that would make her feel less awkward just sitting there.
“I hear you’re a lawyer. You recently moved back home after several years away.”
Rowan was relieved she didn’t have to break the silence first.
“Yes — to both.”
“Interesting. How are you settling in so far, outside of work?”
“Pretty well, I think. I recently moved into a house in the new housing development area, so getting that set up has taken up a good amount of time recently. It’s been a transition, though, for sure.”
