Page 119 of On the Ropes
She was squinting at her screen. “Paulette, one of my book club members, her nephew works at some nonprofit called the…let’s see here…the Community Land Bank. She already spoke to her nephew and said to call him tomorrow morning because he’s pretty sure they can help.”
I leaned in and read over her shoulder, afraid to hope too much. This Land Bank place purchased abandoned lots for neighborhoods to do what they wanted with them—playgrounds, gardens, parks. We keep land in the hands of residents, not investors.
“Oh my God.” I took out my own phone so I could send Paulette’s nephew a late email. “Kathleen, this might actually work.”
She crossed her arms with a sly grin. “I told you the book club would save the day.”
Pure gratitude and elation had me grabbing her in a hug. She patted me on the back like what she’d done was insignificant. I’d never known her to be anything but significant.
“In case I don’t make it known enough,” I said softly, “you’ll always be my mom, Kathleen. My real mom.”
Her arms tightened around me. “You make it very known, dear. Having you as a daughter has changed everything for me.”
I pulled back, and she wiped the tears from my cheeks with her thumbs. “You’re nothing like her, Tabitha. You never have been. You forget how long I’ve known you, how long I’ve watched you choose love over anything else. That’s the only way to make it through this world.”
My smile was a little watery, but there was a sense of purpose and optimism coursing through my veins. “Some would say I learned how to love from the best.”
“I have read a lot of romance novels in my book club.”
I reached behind me to grab the newly popped popcorn from the microwave. “Do you know Alice O’Callaghan? I believe she’d make a fabulous new member.”
She waved her hand through the air. “Let’s get to the juicy stuff. What are you going to do about that hunky friend of yours?”
I sputtered out a laugh. “I thought you wanted to make sure I was making the choice for me and not the hunky friend I’m super-duper in love with.”
“I do. And it’s clear that you are, and I’m glad that you’re staying for you.” She grabbed my shoulders. “But, honey, you can tell that man loves you from space.”
My hands flew to my cheeks, as nervous as I was giddy. “Everything is a little messed up between us right now, but I want to show him how much I love him. How much this neighborhood adores him. I want to show him that he’s been the hero of this story all along.”
More than that, even. He was part of my story now, and I never wanted that to change.
I began tapping out an email to the land bank as a shower of sparkling ideas went off in my brain. “What should I go with as a subject line?” I asked. “Something like Please respond—the fate of a tiny park and also true love is on the line?”
“It’ll certainly get his attention,” she mused.
I set the phone down, tapping my fingers against my lips. I couldn’t stop thinking about the first morning Dean and I had spent together, when I told him I’d throw him a parade in his honor just because. The thought of a parade certainly fit my desperate urge to demonstrate my feelings for him. But Dean never wanted flashy and he despised being the center of attention.
My phone pinged with a message. It was Paulette’s nephew, with a quick response: I know it’s late, but I’ve already been briefed on what needs to happen with the property on Tenth and Emily Streets, and we’re prepared to help. Can you talk now?
“Kathleen.”
“Yeah, hon?” She was pouring popcorn into tiny bowls, big hoop earrings jangling.
“I have an idea that is probably impossible to pull off in a day, but if we pull it off, I think we can save the pocket park from getting bought by Oswald.”
She gave me a knowing look.
“And show Dean how much I love him.”
She seemed pleased with that answer, picking up her own phone and typing furiously. “Then it’s a good thing I’ve got a book club already mobilized and ready to help. And you know they just adore a happily ever after.”
