AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“The only thorn in my side is you complaining about my intention to take over the community center.”
Savannah grabs my wrist, yanking on it to ensure she has my attention.
It works.
“The town of South Shore will let you do almost anything you ask because you have money. They might even green light tearing down the community center. But it’s against their own interests. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
I twist my wrist and then grab hers instead, giving me the upper hand.
“That’s capitalism. Can you blame the planning committee for being willing to take my money?”
She tugs her wrist from my grip and pins me in place with beseeching eyes.
“Money may blind the committee. But it won’t hold computer literacy classes or chess tournaments. It won’t put on children’s plays or host Geechee cooking classes. The community center costs more to run than it can ever fundraise. But it is the one place that doesn’t ask if you’re rich or poor, what kind of family you come from, if you’re young and able-bodied, or old and still active.”
It’s frustrating to see how much Savannah cares about the crummy old building. I take a breath, waiting a few beats to gain my composure before speaking.
“Why the hell are you so passionate about that place? It’s like you are personally invested in it. I don’t get it.”
Her cheeks flush the same shade of pink as Sarah’s roses at La Villa Coralle.
“Because my sister and I used to hang out there a lot as kids. We never had money, but the volunteers at the community center never gave us a moment of grief over it. And besides, sticking up for the community center is exactly what my mom would do.”
Her words startle me. I never put much thought into her lack of funds. I just accepted her not having money as a temporary situation and went on with my life. I guess that makes me a bit self-involved.
What do I say to Savannah’s status? I wanted for nothing as a child.
“I didn’t know,” I finally say. I find that I can’t quite meet her eyes.
She shrugs and looks away out the window.
“You asked. I struggled in the same way that everybody in South Shore struggled. I know the temptation that money will bring.”
There’s nothing that I can say to that. It’s true, obviously.
“The thing is, Sav, we are not here to protect the community from itself. We’re here to line up the best accommodations for our project. I’m sorry, but I think we’re going to have to move on the community center.” I try to word the next bit delicately. “I will try to offer the planning committee a little more money to build the community center if they accept us funneling the cash toward a new center. But… I don’t expect them to accept any amount that I’m offering.”
She clenches her fists, looking straight ahead. Her throat works and her eyes blink rapidly.
I was in a serious relationship for long enough to know full well when a woman is fighting off tears.
The fact that I made her this upset doesn’t sit well with me. Should I… try to embrace her?
She’s upset about something bigger than me.
“You have to… you have to let me keep trying,” she hiccups. “Let me search on the other side of Cape Simon, up by Jackson.”
“You can look until the end of time, honey. But as soon as I present this plan to the South Shore planning committee, I expect them to accept my offer.”
Savannah looks at me with an oddly blank expression. “Don’t call me honey while you’re spitting in my oatmeal, Cole.”
Her eyes spark with vehemence. I’m shocked, to be honest, and intrigued by her display of an emotion other than the false cheer I’ve seen so many times. I knew that Savannah had more complex feelings under her perky, sunny exterior. I just haven’t seen them before.
It’s hot. Not that I would ever tell her that in a million years.
Forcing myself to remain diplomatic, I put the car in drive. “Let’s head back to the office.”
She looks away. I feel like a teenager who’s just made his first ever girlfriend madder than a wet cat.
