Page 4 of Check You Out

Mayor Harrington speaks again, interrupting my thoughts. “Now, we can avoid this disastrous fate for the library if we rally together.” She makes fists with her hands and gives a rooting motion. “I have faith that we, as a community, can convince the County Council to reject the County Executive’s proposed budget. If they reject the budget, then our executive will need to come up with a new budget, one that will include the library’s funding. We’re here to address questions from the community and devise a plan. First, any questions regarding the potential closure?”

A flutter of hands rises from the crowd. Charlotte rises from her seat and sways slightly, releasing my hand. I stretch my fingers, and the muscles and tendons in my hand tense up.

“Why?” She asks, her voice shaking. “Why is this happening? I-I—My business depends on this library! I use this meeting room for my book club meetings.” She points to the floor. “Where are we going to have town meetings if the library closes? Where are my author events going to be?” Her chest heaves.

Mayor Harrington replies, “I understand your feelings. I’m also concerned. We’ll lose our space for town meetings. We’ll have to increase taxes to pay for another meeting space. No one likes that.” She somehow keeps a straight face amid a chorus of groans. “We do not know why our town’s library is the one slated for closure. Next question?”

Charlotte sits back down in her chair and lets out a heavy sigh. Some color has returned to her face.

“When is this library supposed to close, again?” a woman from the back of the room asks.

“June 30.”

“That’s less than two months away!” a man cries from the back of the room; he’s tall and slim, about mid-fifties based on his graying hair. “Where are we going to have all the other town meetings?” He gestures wildly to the gathered crowd. “What are we going to do about my summer reading program?”

Charlotte must notice something on my face, because she leans over and whispers, “Johnny owns Johnny’s Pizzeria, which sponsors the summer reading program.”

I nod my thanks.

Mayor Harrington lets out a sigh. “Honestly, I don’t know. We just got the news this afternoon, and we’re still working through contingency plans.” She holds up her hands in a gesture of keeping peace. The man from before shoots his hand up in the air, and I can hear Mayor Harrington’s eyes roll. “Yes, Johnny?”

“What can we do to keep the library open? Is there a plan?” He scowls. I admire his dedication to keeping the library open. “Why can’t we close the Canterbury Branch? Or the New Haven branch? They don’t have my very popular summer reading program. Or better yet, don’t close any libraries?”

“According to the executive’s office, it’s due to addressing a budget deficit of over two million dollars. But they did not give any more specifics.” Mayor Harrington crosses her arms and taps her fingers against her elbows. “Like I said before, we don’t know why our library was chosen. I’m not going to speculate as to the reasons. The council needs to deliberate on the proposed budget and then request changes from the executive if need be. The council has scheduled an Open Comment meeting on June 23. I think that’s our opportunity to show up as a community.”

Six weeks from today.

“It’s a quick turnaround,” she adds. “But I’m confident we can do it.”

“So, we’re gonna riot?” Johnny asks, his arms folded. “I’ll provide the pizzas. Georgie,” he jabs a finger at a short, stocky man, also in his fifties, on the other side of the room, “maybe you can provide beer before we storm the building?” I recognize Georgie, Xander and Nicole’s uncle.

Georgie huffs. “That might be a little too January 6 for me.”

Something builds inside of me that I don’t recognize, and I stand up. “No one is rioting! The Open Comment meeting is when members of the public, i.e., us,” I gesture to the gathered crowd, “speak directly to the County Council.” My gaze drops to Charlotte, and her expression is open and curious.

“So, we go and yell at them?” Nicole inquires, grinning. “I’ll bring the coffee.”

I groan out, “No, no, no! We don’t yell at them. There’s a perfectly reasonable way for us to approach this that does not involve yelling or storming the building. We will elaborate our points in a coherent and meaningful way.”

Johnny grins and points at Mayor Harrington. “You can yell at them, Mayor!”

Georgie grunts. “Why are we making her do all the work? She deals with us all the time.”

The mayor’s authority cuts through the air. “Thank you, Georgie. Now, let’s focus here.” She nods to me, and I take that as a sign that my turn is up.

I sit swiftly and redirect my focus to Charlotte. “Are you ok?”

She turns to me and nods. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just fine. It’s not like my livelihood is at risk.” She focuses her attention back on the mayor, who is talking about community engagement.

I study Charlotte for a few moments, my admiration and respect for her growing beyond more than physical attraction. I know she’s passionate and dedicated. It’s required to own a bookstore in this economy. I didn’t realize that her passions extended beyond her business. She’s dedicated to this community and her friends. I admire that.

“I propose that we form a committee,” a voice cuts through my thoughts. I switch my gaze away from Charlotte to the speaker, Mayor Harrington.

Charlotte grins, joy radiating out. “Yes, a committee! We’ll rally the troops and organize efforts. I’ll join!”

Georgie huffs again and asks with crossed arms, “How is your business going to suffer if the library closes? Won’t more people buy books from you if they can’t go to the library?”

Charlotte rises to her feet, turning so the rest of the crowd can hear. “Libraries and bookstores have a symbiotic relationship.”