by Tey Holden
Since Alex was born, Addy had not had any other vision or wild impulse to start anything new other than the quiet and simple idea of raising horses, which of course, had its repercussions when Alejandro unexpectedly became a winning racehorse. However, outside of that bit of excitement, Addy had settled into a quiet home life, and she had dedicated her time to raise Alex. The truth was that raising Alex had been quite a challenge, so it was understandable that Addy had not undertaken any new project other than Alejandro, of course. Alex had never seen the entrepreneurial Addy that Karen knew. In other words, Alex had never experienced the full-blown Addy, until this moment.
Karen remembered when Addy had mentioned that her going back into legal practice would be a good example for Alex. Her reasoning was that Alex would see the role of a professional woman, and that she would have an example to follow. At this particular moment, Karen thought that it was important for Alex to see the force behind the woman who was her mom. So, Karen sat back and did what she always did, smile and hold on tight for the ride.
Alex looked to Karen for some reaction. “Mom?” Karen looked to Alex, smiled, and proudly raised her eyes from Alex to Addy, who was still standing waiting for the room to quiet down. When Alex saw the look on Karen’s face, it was all she needed to feel okay about Addy’s sudden action. Alex then became fixated, looking and listening to Addy in the same expectant manner. She did cast a glance every now and then towards Karen for confirmation that things were well and that they didn’t have to run out the door as JP had suggested a few minutes earlier.
The room soon became dead quiet. “All of you! Take a look at yourselves! We are in a moment of crisis here. The moment calls for all of us to be united and not tearing each other apart.” She had been standing when she spoke and now she stepped out to the aisle to walk to the front of the room.
“Oh my God! What is the woman doing?” JP remarked.
When Alex heard JP’s comment, she looked at Karen once again for reassurance. Karen raised her brows and smiled at her and then looked to the front, fixing her gaze on Addy. Alex smiled back, and as the green eyes refocused on the front of the room, the smaller green eyes followed her M’Addy all the way to the front.
Karen was proud that Addy had taken a stand, but held her breath and remained in awe wondering what Addy would do. Alex was preoccupied that her mom might be putting herself in harm’s way, considering what JP said earlier about fistfights and blood being spilled. However, when Alex had looked at Karen she hadn’t seen fear, but rather full confidence and support. Karen felt a small hand intertwine with hers, tight and firm. Karen looked down at the green eyes that were searching hers. “That’s your mom, Alex. Isn’t she great?” Alex smiled with her beautiful darling smile and turned to look and listen to Addy who was now in front of the room.
“Is M’Addy going to be safe up there, Mommy?”
“Yes, baby. She will. I don’t know about the rest of the people here, though.” Alex chuckled and looked eagerly back to the front. She had to stand in order to see what was going on up front.
Addy continued her lecture. “Chair Hutton is a good man. He has been our Council Chair for many years and he is due appropriate respect. I’m sure he is doing, and will do, all he can to tackle the challenges we are facing. Here’s what we are all going to do. Everyone needs to report their losses and needs, and then we are going to make a list of damages and claims. To do that we are going to need a committee to sort through, and deal with all the problems.”
There were cheers and clapping. Someone, who apparently knew Addy’s capabilities, yelled from the back. “Addy, are you going to start drafting the list tonight? And are you going to lead the committee?” The room immediately roared again in affirmation for immediate action.
“Everyone is going to go home and make their own list. Tomorrow everyone can begin filing claims. I personally volunteer to be on the committee and would like others to volunteer as well to help evaluate the claims. I will also help Chair Hutton make the necessary calls to have the area declared a disaster zone. Once that is done, we should be able to receive funding to repair the roads, fix the town’s infrastructure, and determine structural damages. I think we can ask Mrs. McKenzie to start taking names of those volunteering to help out. In the meantime, everyone needs to help their neighbor. Go home now and make your lists.”
Sarah Foster spoke, “Addy, what if we can’t get enough government funding?”
“Then we are going to have to figure out how we can help ourselves using our own resources. But we should not cross that bridge until we get there.”
Another person spoke. “Would you put your own money into helping the town?” Everyone in town knew them and knew they were wealthy.
“I think there are times in our lives when we have to think about all our blessings and wonder if this is the appropriate time to give back. All of you, as well as I, are part of this community. We have, through the years, received much from this town. Yes, I believe I am ready to give back to my community. Are you?” There was silence followed by applauses and cheers.
She turned to talk to the Chair’s entourage. The small group included Chair Hutton, Mrs. McKenzie, who was his secretary, Dr. Naylor who was the treasurer, and Henry, who was the constable. All of them were in their late seventies. “I’ll be at the town hall first thing tomorrow morning. Chair Hutton, you need to move on this because if you don’t these people are going to fry your ass, pardon my language.” They all laughed.
Hutton spoke. “Thank you for your help, Addy. I’ll see you tomorrow. Make sure and be there, dear. We need your spirit to get things going. You need to tell me about your ideas.”
“I’ll be there, Chair Hutton.”
Several people gathered around Mrs. McKenzie to give their names and join the committee. Some people stopped to talk to Addy and make suggestions.
After a while, when all was said and done, Addy walked back to meet her family, who patiently waited for her. All she could see were four smiling green eyes showing pride and approval.
“Mom, you were awesome!” Alex hugged her around her waist. “You told everyone to shut up and they listened to you. I think you saved Chair Hutton. If it hadn’t been for you, they would have kicked his butt!”
The other two green eyes just looked at her full of love and pride. Addy stared at Karen and smiled as she hugged her daughter.
“Wasn’t she great, Mommy Karen?”
“Yes, she was, Alex.” Karen held her gaze. As always!
Addy’s face was apologetic. “Sorry! I couldn’t help myself.”
Karen placed her arm around Addy’s waist to lead her out. “I know. You did the right thing. You were awesome.” Addy’s public stand had not come without the usual flare up of her nerves. It was comforting to feel Karen’s hand caress her back as they walked to their car. Only Karen knew Addy’s need for comfort now.
“M’Addy, I think you should be the next Chair.” Karen laughed at her daughter’s perceptive comment.
“I totally agree with Alex. I think this move tonight has earned your candidacy for the next election. You already have my vote.” JP tapped her on the arm.
James smiled as well. “Good job, Addy. Looks like you already have a few votes from what I can see.”
“Oh! Shut up! You are all biased.”
“M’Addy, I’m serious, I think you have the job in the bag.”
“Hush kid, you can’t even vote yet!” Alex laughed and Karen grinned.
Addy kept glancing at Karen wondering if there would be further talk at home about this spontaneous, but sincere display of emotion. As they drove home, Alex continued to talk about the town hall meeting and about how Addy had done this or that and how people listened to her. She was also joking about Addy becoming the next Chair, and how she would be the daughter of the Chair and all the perks that would come with that, and of how famous they would become.
Karen continued to smile but remained quiet. Karen’s silence worried Ad
dy. She thought that maybe Karen was not all that happy about her very verbal reaction at the meeting and was just pretending to go along, just to be a trooper. The minute they got home, Alex ran to her room because there was a music awards show she wanted to watch on the TV. Addy followed Karen into the family room.
“Okay, shoot! What’s wrong?”
Karen turned. “What? Nothing’s wrong.”
“Why are you so quiet then?”
“I’m just thinking about the possible ramifications of tonight’s events,” Karen replied as she sat on the sofa.
“Are you mad at me because I opened my big mouth with Alex there? It’s been a while since I’ve rocked the boat, hasn’t it?”
Karen chuckled. “Yes, it has. And no, I’m not mad. As a matter of fact, I’m very proud of you for taking a stand. And about Alex, well you should have seen her face. She was beaming with pride. I think she was a little frightened at first when you walked up to the front, she held my hand.” Karen chuckled. “I felt that she wanted to make sure that the two of us would come to your rescue if the fistfights JP had talked about really began.” She laughed again, and so did Addy, who was very relieved by now. “I think you gave her the best civic lesson she will ever have in her life. I think she also saw and felt the pride I felt, Ms. Marcos. But—.”
“Oh, oh! Here comes the ‘but’.”
Karen chuckled. “Alex is right. This display of civic duty and commanding posture will turn into more. The town is now looking to you for direction. Even the Chair wants your help.”
“All I wanted to do was put some order to the assembly, and all of a sudden, I’m making lists, recruiting volunteers, offering my help, and maybe having to put some money where my mouth is! How did I ever manage to get myself into all of that?”
Karen grinned. “Addy, Addy, my Addy! You are a natural leader. You just didn’t realize that you’d be getting yourself into a whole new ball game. Admit it Addypooh, this time you didn’t think. Tomorrow you’ll do what you think is right, and what you think needs to be done. You’ll be going to the town hall to take people’s claims, organize a committee and advise our elderly Chair what he needs to do to tackle this disaster. You will be doing what you do best. You will try to make it right for everyone.” Addy sat down feeling a bit sorry for herself as Karen continued speaking. “If you are able to obtain funding for those people, you will be their hero and maybe even the next Chair, just like Alex has predicted.”
“Oh, come on, Ker, like that can happen. I’d be the first woman Council Chair of Altee, and a lesbian! I’m sure hell will freeze over before that happens! It would be something wouldn’t it? Wait! I wasn’t even born in this country! I couldn’t possibly be Chair.” She felt briefly relieved.
“Don’t know that you need to be born here for that post, they let Schwarzenegger be governor of California and he was not born in the United States and second, who would oppose you? You are pretty popular around these parts, and you are too cute. Nope, I don’t see opposition, or anyone else winning in a race against you.”
Addy grimaced. “Ker, you know what I always say about being on the horse and having to ride it, but if you don’t want me doing this, if I don’t have your support, I won’t do it. I know Alex will be disappointed, but I’ll talk to her. She’ll understand.”
Karen smiled and placed her arms around her. Neither woman noticed that Alex was about to enter the room, but wanting to give her moms some privacy, she stayed outside. Karen chuckled before she began to speak. “Addypooh, I love you. You have rocked my world more than once, and I’ve loved every minute of it every time. I’m not getting off the bus now or ever. I will take any ride with you, wherever it takes us. Whether that is to hell and back, to the end of the universe, or even into another life, if there is such a thing. You don’t only have my complete support, but also my love, as always, baby. Always and forever, like the song says.”
Addy smiled. “I love you too, baby. Thank you.” She gave Karen a full-blown kiss.
Neither one noticed that Alex had overheard the entire conversation. The lesson in civics was superseded only by the lesson in love. Alex waited and smiled. She loved how her moms loved each other, and the love she always felt in their home. She thought that they were adorable. She coughed to make her presence known.
“I forgot to give you some school papers you guys need to sign. I’m going to try out for the basketball team.”
“Sure, honey, let me have the papers.” Alex handed the papers over to Karen. Alex smiled to Addy who was wondering what the smile was all about. Karen walked towards the living room with Alex following her. “Tell me about this basketball team.” Addy stayed behind watching, and as always, taking full pleasure in the mother/daughter interaction.
***
The next day, Addy went to the town hall, while Karen and Alex remained at the cottage making repairs. Although they had placed calls to contractors, it would be a while before they would be able to come considering the high demand for services.
When Addy arrived at the town hall, it was filled to capacity with people. She spent the entire day taking in people’s lists of needs and or complaints. When she came home in the evening she was exhausted. Karen and Alex were waiting for her.
“Hi family!”
“Hi M’Addy, how was your day?”
“Hell! It was a living hell!” Alex smiled knowing her mom’s propensity for drama. At the same time, she couldn’t wait to hear her stories. Addy’s stories were always entertaining.
“Were there any fistfights? Did anyone grab Chair Hutton by the neck?” Alex couldn’t wait to hear what Addy had to say.
“Nonsense! Everyone was civil. There was no fighting, or grabbing anyone. There was some screaming a couple of times, but Constable Henry quickly intervened and everything was under control again.”
Karen said nothing, but smiled as she saw Addy take off her shoes and drop on the sofa placing her feet on the coffee table, which had always served more as an ottoman than as a coffee table. Karen walked up to her with a glass of wine in hand. “Here, have a drink.”
“Thank you, sweetie, this is so nice.” Addy smiled.
“Dinner is ready,” Karen said proudly.
Addy looked at Alex and opened her eyes in surprising shock, to which Alex responded in the same manner. Still wide-eyed and looking at Alex’s smiling face, she asked, “you cooked? What did you cook?”
“Alex and I made macaroni and cheese, and those meatballs you had in the freezer with Italian sauce.” Karen was quick to reply.
“Don’t worry, M’Addy. I helped,” she whispered in Addy’s ear. Alex liked to spend time in the kitchen with Addy and as young as she was, she had picked up on many of Addy’s cooking practices. She’d always advise Karen about how M’Addy prepared things, or what she put in or not. Whenever Alex helped, the food always turned out to be much better. The only things Karen could successfully make were omelets and quiches. She was also pretty good serving appetizers and selecting wine.
Karen grinned. “Do I detect a conspiracy? Let me go check those meatballs.”
When they sat to eat, Addy was pleased. “This meal is excellent. I commend the chefs.” Both Alex and Karen looked at each other and smiled proudly. “I may have to promote the two of you to head cooks.” Addy proclaimed in appreciation of the effort put into the meal.
“Especially if someone goes into public office. We may need to take on some of the cooking duties.” Karen commented. “However, the problem is that, as you know my dear, the menu may be very limited. Now do tell, what happened in town today?”
“M’Addy said there were no fistfights.” Alex said in an almost disappointing tone, which made Addy laugh.
“At least not yet! First, let me just say that I really think Chair Hutton is in over his head and doesn’t have a clue of what needs to be done in an emergency situation. I got there today and he was talking to people as if nothing had happened.”
Alex laughed. “I told
you! I think he’s too old. I think that all he does is talk to people about the weather and their pets, but nothing about the town. I’ve heard him. He’s just too happy about everything.”
Karen listened attentively and grinned. She agreed with Alex but didn’t want to come right out and say it. Alex took over the inquiry. “So, what did you do, M’Addy?”
“The first thing I did was organize the volunteers to start taking claims. Then, there were a couple of college girls who knew how to do spreadsheets, so I asked them to tabulate everything on spreadsheets. Then I called the government office to find out the procedure to declare the area a disaster zone. Public works is coming tomorrow to assess the damage to the roads and the public buildings. Once we have a full report of all the personal and public property damages, we will file all the required paperwork. I expect to do that the day after tomorrow.”
Karen chuckled. “You?”
“Ker, I think Chair Hutton is overwhelmed. I don’t think he would have done anything, if I hadn’t said something about declaring the area a disaster zone. To be honest, I don’t even think that he knew that such a thing was possible. He is really clueless. His idea of being Chair is being nice and shaking hands with everyone.”
“Exactly, that’s what he’s always doing.” Alex reiterated, and Karen smiled knowing that it was true.
“Mom, I think you are doing his job. I think you are taking over the town. You are good at this stuff. I really think that you should run for office and become the new Chair and that’s that!” Having made her statement, Alex took her plate to the kitchen and excused herself. “I need to finish my homework. You rock M’Addy! If I could vote, I’d vote for you. You’d have this town running in no time.”
***
Addy went every day to the town hall and was finally able to get through to the appropriate government authority. She got them to come and survey the town and as she went about with them, she pointed to all the areas that needed attention. The town was declared a disaster area and it received government money. Bids for projects went out and individual justified claims were covered.