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“So, how are you getting Victor back?” she questions.
A smile engulfs my face while I give a casual shrug. A big toothy grin. She lays down on her belly, jerking her legs behind her. Water splashes as she tucks her hands under her chin, waiting for me to talk.
“Well…” I mimic her movements. We go back and forth, figuring out how I can make this up to him. I just hope I’m not too late.
The town hall meeting is happening tonight, and the meeting room is filled. Victor did a great job of getting the community to attend. There are people here whom I haven’t seen in the longest time, even people who aren’t affected.
I am sitting between both of my brothers, with Massey on the other side of Lawson, and I’m almost hidden behind their massive frames. I chuckle at what I must look like sitting between them. We are squeezed together like a can of sardines. There are a couple of microphones set up at the front, facing the small stage. Chatter around seems to show in our favor. There are people here ready for a fight. A long table sits up on the stage, and before too long, all the suits walk in. Each man is wearing perfectly pressed pants and long-sleeved button up shirts. My eyes find him immediately, even though he doesn’t see me. I’ll wait for the opportune time. I don’t want to take away from this meeting. It’s the future of my home.
An older man starts the meeting, but my eyes never leave Victor. His sandy blonde hair seems duller, and it looks like he hasn’t had a proper shave. If it weren’t for those captivating hazel eyes, I probably wouldn’t be able to recognize him. I bite my lip, remembering how every glimpse of him takes my breath away. I’ll admit, he looks good with some scruff. It makes my heart beg for him. I’ve missed him so much.
I sit so close, and yet he feels so far away. Person after person takes the floor to voice their opposition to the motion, and we all sit and listen. Everyone at the front table is listening and answering questions. It’s looking more and more in our favor, but then again, money can win a lot of favors. Time slips by and before I know it’s been two hours of friends and neighbors voicing their displeasure for the proposal. I’m thrilled to see so many people here, but all this legal chatter is boring. We sit through almost the entire room and before I know it, there is an opening and Leland gets up.
“Oh, shit!” Lawson, Massey, and I say at the same time.
My brother stands at the microphone. Shoulders back, chest puffed out, and he holds his chin high.
“Leland here from Coastal Repairs.” He introduces himself. Victor sits a little taller seeing my brother before them. As the council expresses his presence, Victor’s eyes are searching the room. I’m on the shorter side, so I can see him but still hidden by the mass of people. “Can you clarify the benefits of the motion to move forward,” Leland continues on.
Each man skirts around the answer, and Victor doesn’t pay them any attention. They turn to him for an answer, but he ignores them and keeps his head down, focused on something under the table. My phone vibrates in my back pocket, startling me. My heart leaps when I see the text. All hope isn’t lost.
Baby, where are you? Are you here?
Leland continues to ask questions while Victor stays distracted.
“So, you are going to pay us tax value for our homes and businesses, which is always significantly lower than market value. Then you are coming in behind to raise the taxes for land and road improvements. Can you explain how that helps the community?”
Leland’s words work everyone back up again. He may only have a high school diploma, but Leland is smart. He’s been running his garage since he graduated from high school.
“The relocation for the subdivision will be ‘affordable’ for the middle-class patrons of Hawaii, but what about us lower-class citizens? We’ve been here since before most of you were born, and we can’t afford the starter homes you have proposed.”
That gets a physical response from the younger business executives. They shift at the uncomfortable conversation. The older locals are catching on to what Leland is saying, and it’s pulling some hefty words to these guys.
“Is it true that the buildings and permit department haven’t even finished their assessment of this motion?” Leland continues to lay blow after blow.
Victor continued to keep his head down and distracted the entire time. He’s letting the table fall apart. The executives are reeling their heads back and forth, trying to figure out how to save their side of the argument. Victor is of no help. He’s more focused on texting me.
Baby, can I see you? Please? Meet me somewhere? I can come to your place?
Me. He wants me.
Leland has opened a can of chaos. People are arguing with the panel and sidestepping every question yelled out with such a political answer. Victor’s head is still down, and almost oblivious to what’s happening. Suddenly, Massey’s phone rings.
“For fuck’s sake, Collins! Make your move.” She holds her phone out for me to see the messages.
“Jesus, Collins! He’s texting me now.” Lawson rolls his eyes.
Okay, buck up buttercup, let’s get your man. I stand and weave in and out of the mass of people until I get to the microphone. I stand next to Leland, who smiles down at me. He wraps an arm around my shoulder, giving me a tight squeeze.
“Get ’em, girl.” His encouragement and acceptance are unmatched.
I nod and pull the microphone down. “One more question.”
Victor’s head snaps up, and his eyes shine brightly. His mouth falls slack in a perfect ‘O’ shape before a goofy smile pulls on his lips. You can’t buy a view like this.
“Yeah?” His voice cracks like a prepubescent teen. It reminds me of the girly scream that came out when he first drove my car. I giggle before I can continue and his smile is bigger than before. “Go on, what’s your question?”
“Have any of you ever considered living here? Like for a long period? See how it is to live day to day?” My eyes remain on Victor as the other people say no or try to change the topic.
