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26
Wayward, Georgia
Three Years Later
The Wayward Coastal Development Projectwas nearing completion while Lucas was making final plans for the ribbon cutting ceremony, which was only a week away, in addition to preparing for tomorrow’s family reunion.
Pinkie, in her infinite wisdom and unquestioned authority, decided once Errol was found guilty and the Posse’s funds released, that it would be nothing short of prophetic to see the fictional project through.
Lucas couldn’t have been more surprised when Birdie showed him the blueprints and the plans for transforming Fulsom’s Service Station into an ice cream parlor and candy store.
On the north side of town were plans for an entirely new state-of-the-art assisted-living facility with a specialty in dementia and Alzheimer’s care. Birdie asked to name it The Shepherd Landon Center, to honor the love between Marshall and Pearl. Birdie had said, reminiscently, that even when times were at their darkest and Pearl having a particularly bad day, Marshall was there. Checking on her and caring for her, whether she could remember him or not. Marshall and Pearl taught her the true meaning of love and for that they deserved their names to be remembered.
Unfortunately, Pearl had passed last spring and wouldn’t benefit from the center. Regardless, Birdie had said it was the best way she could think of to spend some of the money Marshall had bequeathed her. In memory of his love for Pearl.
Even more surprising to Lucas, if not gratifying, were the plans to destroy the house Birdie and Maisie grew up in, making the entire acre lot a children’s park with unimpeded views of the ocean.
Cora Leigh had come up with the idea, reasoning that when Birdie watched the children playing, she would no longer see a source of childhood pain but rather a place where children go to laugh and play.
Lucas loved the idea. More importantly, Birdie loved it, as well.
The Wayward Community Center was to undergo an expansion and some much-needed interior renovations, including a new kitchen and individual classrooms. And a large gathering area so that there was more room to play bingo, hold raffles, or to invite guest speakers.
Today, Lucas sat at his desk, with Birdie on the other side, eating lunch and going over a landscaping quote for the construction project.
Birdie blew at a piece of hair getting in the way of her sandwich. “The landscaper is trying to finagle a bunch of shrubs trimmed in various forms of sea life into his quote. He’s got them in the shape of coral, others trimmed to look like seahorses and shells. I keep telling him we’re a mixed-use development project that provides services to the people of Wayward, not an entertainment park.”
Lucas took a bite of his sandwich. “I can personally attest to the fact that tree trimming isn’t as easy as it looks.”
She smiled at him between bites. “The cost of maintenance is where they make their money. I hate when people see a big project and try to squeeze more dollars out of it.”
Lucas nodded, going through the growing list of people attending the family reunion as Birdie checked the time on her phone. “Shoot, I’ve got to meet Mia downtown to pick up some things she needs for school.”
Mia had considered going to law school on account of her other-worldly debate skills. Once she realized the high cost of a higher education, she shocked everyone, including her parents, by making an alternate career choice and earning a scholarship to attend welding school.
After announcing her decision, Lucas and Birdie stared at their daughter slack-jawed.
Mia reasoned she could graduate without incurring any debt and then pick and choose her jobs, traveling the country and earning six figures within a few years, specializing in underwater welding.
Lucas didn’t even know such a job existed.
At the end of the day, Mia said it was a financial no-brainer. And if it didn’t work out, she could always change her mind about law school.
Lucas reminded her that money wasn’t an issue. He was fully capable of covering the cost, and the shares her mother held in Shepherd Industries were moved back into her name as well as Marshall’s assets.
Mia said money wasn’t the point. The cost of going to college was outrageous, and she didn’t want to support their price gouging practice.
Lucas and Birdie looked up as someone knuckle-tapped on his door.
“Yes, Flynn?”
“Sir, Grant Mason and his wife, Tatianna, are here to see you.”
Lucas rubbed his eyes. “Yes, Flynn, as always, send them in.” Flynn had proven invaluable, however Lilith, his wife as of a few months ago, had convinced him during his early days in the position that his number one job was to be a dogged gatekeeper and protector of the mayor’s time.
Flynn took those first few days of training for the first job he’d ever had very seriously and unfortunately, had been just as ruthless about protecting Lucas’s time as Lilith.
So much so, Lucas couldn’t find the heart to ask him to do otherwise. He was just so damned loyal and efficient and…not Lilith.
