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“I think they’re worried that a ramp will distract from the beauty of the building.”
“It could be done tastefully, though.”
“Agreed. My suggestion was to build a two-tiered ramp at the back. The landing would meet the gazebo with a break in the railing, which wouldn’t be noticeable from the front. A paved path from here to the back could be run through the grass to make the ramp accessible, and the problem would be solved.”
“It would be,” she agreed. “A ramp like that wouldn’t distract from the beauty of the front of the gazebo but allow for a more gradually graded ramp at the back for safety.”
I motioned at her as if to say, exactly. “It’ll have to wait until enough board members think it’s worthwhile.”
“No,” Hazel said, defiantly crossing her arms. When she did that, I noticed her chin jutted out in a perfect little peak. “Legally, they need to do it now. They’re already not in compliance with the ADA; now that it’s been brought to their attention, they can’t claim ignorance. Considering why they hired us; I’m putting it back on the agenda this evening.”
“No, Hazel, please,” I said, reaching out toward her to calm her. “Let’s not start problems. We have enough on our plate as it is. Besides, it’s too late to add it to the agenda for tonight.”
“There’s a public comments time for a reason, and I have no problem using it for this reason.”
I blew out a breath of frustration and then squared my shoulders. “I love that you want to fight for the cause, but doing it wrong will only have them digging their heels in harder. I have firsthand experience with that. I’m not against bringing it up again, but I’m all for doing it measuredly.”
“Measured manner sounds a little too political for my tastes, Irving.”
“Not political,” I assured her. “Just smart. I’ve researched designs and products that work well for this application. Let's concentrate on research and some community polling. Once we have a plan to back up with facts, then we take it to the board.”
Her lips wiggled around as she considered my plan. “That’s going to take time, Irving.”
“There’s no rush at this point since they can’t start paving a path and building a ramp this close to winter. Even if it’s approved next month, we can’t beat Mother Nature. Once we have our information ready, we’ll approach the city works committee during their meeting. I happen to know someone on that committee.”
“City works is who would build the ramp?” she asked, scooting down a stair toward me.
“Yes. Our best bet is to present the plan to them. The funds will come from their park budget, so if they approve it, then it goes to the board for a rubber stamp of approval. It would look bad if the board didn’t approve it after the people who will do the work, and pay for it, give it the green light.”
“Is the person you know on the city works committee influential?”
I shrugged nonchalantly. “His name is Shepard Lund.” I gave her a wink, and she tossed her head back and laughed. Her long red hair slid down her back and brushed against the wooden steps as she faced the heavens. When the sun shone down on her face, it made her freckles pop and her blue eyes shine.
“Okay, okay,” she said, meeting my gaze. “We’ll do it your way on our off time?”
“Works for me. It’s not like I have a raging social life these days.”
“Same,” she said with a smirk. “I’ll look for some grants that we can apply for to get the funding. That would make it even harder for the board to deny it.”
“The ramp won’t cost much, Hazel. They can easily budget it out by next spring.”
She pointed at me while she licked her lips. “You’re right, but if we apply for and win a grant to make accessibility improvements, the money can be used to update sidewalks, park paths, buildings, and crosswalks at stoplights. Some even allow businesses to apply for a portion of the grant to bring their buildings under ADA compliance.”
“Don’t even mess with me about that,” I said, shaking my head.
“I’m not. The grants are real. People don’t know the money is out there or how to access it.” She stood and walked back to my chair. “I’ve always been a champion of the underdog, Irving Wallace, and I’m a dog with a bone when someone I care about is wronged,” she glanced at my dog standing at attention. “No offense, Star.” I couldn’t help but smile at how she was always all in, no matter what she was doing. “We will help this little town see that change isn’t bad. It can bring about wonderful things for its people. You with me?”
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else, Hazel Cane,” I said with a smile and a little bit of hope in my heart that there were real changemakers in the world. “Every little bit we do to improve Bells Pass will have a ripple effect for years to come.”
“I vote we get started now. No time like the present, considering the board is still tying our hands with New Beginnings.”
“Let’s head home,” I said, taking her good hand in mine for a moment before I turned my chair. “Star, forward.”
The path was straight, so I didn’t have to push. She slipped her hand back in mine as we moved down the path, and I noticed hers was soft, warm, and tender—three words that could easily be applied to who she was.
When someone I care about is wronged.
That sentence kept coming back to me as we made our way home. She’d only been in Bells Pass for a few days and already felt comfortable saying she cared about me. Logically, I knew she didn’t mean it romantically, but knowing someone cared enough to go to war with me felt terrific. More than that, it felt good to know that someone cared. It had been years since I could say I had a real friend I could turn to in good times and bad. Spending time with Hazel told me that dry spell had ended. We both needed a friend, and I could see us being best friends effortlessly. When we arrived back at New Beginnings and she gave my chair a little boost over the new threshold into the building, my heart said I could only be so lucky.
