by Cara Addison
She scanned the article, very pleased with the story John had put together. “Very nice,” she agreed, reluctantly putting down the paper to finish getting ready. “Will you join me for Q-Fest?” she inquired as she walked into the closet to pull out a comfortable outfit to wear.
“It’s a date,” he called out as he entered the shower.
When they arrived at the community center, Bradley was surprised at how full the parking lot was. “This is the largest venue in town. How big of an event is this?”
She smiled. “I wait for it all year,” she answered as he pulled into a space almost a block from the hall. “You won’t be disappointed.” They walked hand in hand toward the hall.
As they approached the main doors, the line snaked out the entrance and down the sidewalk. Kate guided them to a side door. A security guard recognized her instantly, opening the door for them. They followed a long hall, entering directly into the melee.
“We’re going to need vouchers,” Kate holler, above the din of the crowds. As they approached the main table, the crowds pressed against them, offering congratulations and best wishes. As they approached the main table, Kate emptied the bills from her wallet, into the donation bin. Bradley did the same. The volunteer glanced into the bucket. “Thank you,” she gushed. “That’s very generous.” She handed each of them a tray, a stack of wet napkins, and a voting card.
“How does this work?” he asked, stepping back from the lineup.
She looked at the map she’d been handed. “There are forty businesses and community groups that have submitted entries.” She motioned around the room. “We go around and each sample the entries. When we’re finished, we cast our votes in those ballot boxes.” He pointed to the center of the room.
“What do they win?” he asked, barely able to hear himself above the crowd.
She looked at him with a grin. “Bragging rights.” Her smile was infectious.
She had a strict policy of not eating at public events, partly because it was messy and difficult to carry on a conversation with the public, but also knowing that the media had a way of snapping embarrassing photos and storing them away for future use. This was one event however, that she threw caution to the wind. They sampled chicken, beef, pork, seafood, and vegetables. Twenty minutes after they arrived, Elisse found them in the crowd. “I’m so glad you could make it.” Elisse welcomed them with a hug. Her eyes were wide as she took Kate’s hand in her own, inspecting the ring on her finger. “Stunning.” She grinned, giving Kate another hug.
They spent another hour grazing around the room, shaking hands and talking to strangers who enthusiastically offered their congratulations.
When they finally arrived home at three o’clock, he was exhausted. “Is that what all of your events are like?”
“That one is special,” she acknowledged, “but yes…it can be exhausting meeting and listening to everyone who beckons.”
He went straight to the media room, and within minutes of turning on the television, fell asleep. She drove her SUV to the Westover enclave to retrieve another stash of belongings. If potential buyers were going to be traipsing through the house, she wanted to be sure she had removed all her valuables. She gathered her jewelry and remaining items of clothing. She planned to make a return trip the next day to gather her shoes.
On Sunday, they made their weekly visit to her father’s house. Kate was incredibly relieved that his health had steadily improved. The three of them sat in the kitchen as the roast heated in the oven.
“That was a lovely engagement announcement in the paper, yesterday,” he father said, as he pulled out a copy of the Expositor. “How did the Observer feel about being scooped?”
Kate chuckled. “I had four missed calls from their editor yesterday morning before I woke. He was none too pleased. He wondered why he hadn’t received a press release.”
“What did you tell him?” her father inquired.
“I told him that we had been invited for an interview by the Expositor. We hadn’t issued a press release…It just happened organically.” She smiled as she added, “I told him we’ll invite him to the wedding.”
“Have you set a date?”
“We’re thinking Labor Day,” Brad answered.
Her father looked at each of them. “That’s quick, Kate.” He paused. “It won’t even have been a year since the accident.”
“Is there some unwritten rule that I have to wait a year?” Kate asked, a little annoyance creeping into her voice.
Leaning back and interlocking his fingers behind his head, Brad interjected, “It’ll be a year for me,” intentionally stirring the pot of conversation.
“Not helping,” she retorted, throwing a dishtowel at him.
“We’re not kids anymore, Dad, and we’re not blending families. Let’s not make this more complicated than it needs to be.”
He shrugged his shoulders, knowing there was little point in arguing with her. “How big of a wedding are you planning?”
“I think we’ll keep it pretty small. Forty or fifty people. Just a nice afternoon with some friends and family.”
“Are you thinking about using the country club?” her father asked.
“We haven’t talked about a venue yet, have we, Kate?”
She shook her head. “No we haven’t.” She pulled a pitcher of sweet tea from the fridge, pouring a glass for each of them. “I’m not sure I want to use the club, Dad. It’s too big, and too public. I’d rather find somewhere a little quieter.”
“Well,” he responded after taking a drink, “I’m no expert at planning these events, but maybe you should consider your house, Brad.” They sat silently ruminating over the idea.
“Huh.” Brad chuffed. “You might be on to something.”
“A short ceremony on the terrace by the pool?” Kate added.
“That house is great for entertaining,” Wallace added. “Parking might be a problem.”
“I’ll see if I know someone who can wrangle a special permit,” Kate joked, making a note in her calendar to fill out an application the next time she was at city hall.
“Do we have to do the best man and maid of honor thing?” Brad asked.
Kate put her hands in her face, not wanting to think about the many decisions she still had to make. “We need two witnesses to sign the register, don’t we?”
“You do,” Wallace confirmed.
They spent the next hour planning. Kate started making notes, realizing the simple event she had in mind was going to be more extensive than she had originally thought. They were putting the finishing touches on the guest list as Kate pulled dinner from the oven.
As her father stepped away to retrieve a bottle of wine from the cellar, Kate asked, “Are you expecting me to wear white?”
He exhaled heavily, pulling her into his arms. “You’ll be beautiful no matter what you wear, Kate.” He kissed her. “But yes, I’d like you to look like a bride.”
She leaned in for another kiss. “That’s fine, but I’m not wearing a full-length gown. And I might accent it with some color.”
“I can’t wait.” He smiled as Wallace returned.
“Will you do me a favor, Dad?”
“Sure. What do you need?”
“Would you be the emcee at a press conference a week from Wednesday?”
He smiled widely. “I’d be delighted, Kate. Tell me about the event.”
Over dinner, Kate shared the Electric Vehicle project with her father.
* * * *
Monday morning, Kate met with a realtor and listed her house for sale. She packed the remaining items from the closet. By midafternoon the realtor e-mailed to let her know that she had three prospective clients who were interested in viewing the house.
The remainder of the week was exceptionally busy. Kate worked with staff to prepare for the sod turning event, which was only a week away. They toured the approved sites, selecting the most appropriate one for a public event. Media advisories and press rel
eases were prepared and approved. Guests were invited. An agenda was readied. A ten-foot backdrop was ordered and delivered, its graphics depicting the final rendition of what the Electric Vehicle charging station would look like.
The night before the sod turning, Kate sat on the terrace responding to a flurry of e-mails, outlining last-minute details. Brad sat next to her, enjoying a cigar. Finally, as the sky darkened, the online conversations ended. Lights across the terrace began to click on as the sensors responded to the darkening sky. Brad stood and pulled off his shirt. Kate looked up at him, wondering what he was doing. He dropped his pants, laying them across the chair. He stretched before walking into the Roman hot tub. The evening air was warm.
“Can I join you?”
“I was hoping you would.”
She slipped out of her pleated skirt and unbuttoned her blouse. She stepped toward tub. “You won’t be needing those.” He motioned to her soft pink bra and panties she was still wearing.
“Really,” she whispered, slipping out of her underthings before sinking into the hot, bubbling waters.
He waded over to meet her, taking her by the hand. They stood in waist-deep water, kissing for a long time before he backed toward the bench. She remained in the middle of the pool. He looked at her admiringly. “I love you,” he whispered.
She walked toward him, the bubbling water swirling against her pussy. He shifted his hips to the edge of the bench. She straddled him, slowly and passionately making love to him. Their hair was wet with sweat when they finally came to rest. “It’s June,” she whispered into his hair. “I suspect the cold pool might be more refreshing.” She rose, walking to the infinity pool, sinking into the water. He followed her, taking her in his arms and kissing her. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“For what?” he asked, studying her face.
“I’ve been so busy lately. I didn’t mean to fall asleep last night before you got to bed.”
He kissed her. “You don’t have to make love to me every day, Kate.”
“Not have to,” she said. “I want to.” She kissed him. “Next time, wake me up.”
He shook his head at her. “What time is your press conference tomorrow?” he asked, sculling across the water.
“Ten o’clock, but I should be there early to be sure everything is set up and working.”
“Okay, I’ll meet you there. I’ve got a surprise for you.”
So far, all of his surprises had been very lovely. She wanted to press him for details, but decided the anticipation would likely be worth it. “I can’t wait.”
She woke to a beautiful warm sunny June morning, with just a hint of a breeze to move the warm air. Kate was relieved that the forecast showed a day full of sun, and their backup plan for tents wouldn’t be needed. She selected a pink A-line Prada dress. It was sleeveless and featured a deep scoop neckline. She added a wide turquoise belt and paired it with a chunky pink and turquoise necklace. She added a pair of simple pumps with the same color combination. Brad kissed her and wished her luck on her way out the door. “I’ll see you in an hour,” he promised.
When Kate arrived, preparations were well underway. The site looked great, and Kate was pleased to see curious neighbors and invited guests arriving early. The street had been closed off for the morning, with a detour setup directing traffic around the block. In the midst of the bustling activity, Kate welcomed dignitaries and VIPs, ensuring that everyone who would be speaking to the crowd was briefed and relaxed. Fifteen minutes before they were set to begin, Kate noticed Brad’s SUV arrive inside the barricade. She was on the stage, talking with the CEO of the telecommunications company, but quickly excused herself to meet him. She pressed through the crowds, meeting him just as he stepped from the car. She was shocked when the rear doors opened, allowing Richard and Isabelle to step out onto the street.
“Is this your surprise?” she gasped, hugging him tightly before she hugged her guests. “What a delight to have you here today.”
“Brad’s kept me up to date on all of your progress, Kate. I hope you can show me all that you’ve been up to while we’re in town.”
“Isabelle, you look lovely,” Kate gushed, trying to figure why she looked different than she had on the island.
“We need to begin, Kate,” the city administrator beckoned.
“Of course.” She felt as if she was being pulled in so many directions. “I’ve saved you a spot near the stage,” she assured Brad as they made their way back toward the podium.
At precisely ten o’clock, Wallace Callahan gathered the crowd’s attention. He delivered a brief welcome before inviting the city’s public relations manager to the podium to deliver an overview of the project. Next, he invited the CEO of the telecommunications company to the microphone.
“Today is a bittersweet day for our team. We’ve been proud to deliver reliable telecommunication service in the form of phone booths for over fifty years.” He continued, his voice wavering slightly. “But we’re also excited to have a small part in the transition Lowden is making in becoming a smart city. We’ve brought along a little memento from our entire team…” He looked at Kate, motioning her to join him at the microphone. One of his staff appeared, handing him a twenty-four-by-thirty frame. He turned it to show the crowd, extending the gift to Kate. The matted photo was engraved with the date and names of those pictured in the image. Kate smiled as she viewed the image of a very proud work crew who had installed that exact telephone booth, years before she was born. The streetscape in the background depicted a simpler time.
“Thank you.” She smiled. “This is indeed a treasure, and I’ll be sure that it finds a suitable place of honor in city hall. Thank you for being a part of Lowden’s past…and a part of our future.”
The director of engineering followed, along with the owner of a local e-vehicle dealership, each explaining the merits of the project as it provided a valuable service to a growing demographic.
Wallace concluded the speeches by welcoming Kate to the podium. “Please join me in welcoming the mayor of Lowden, Kate Callahan.”
Kate took the podium to much applause. She looked at Bradley. He’d been grinning all morning. He mouthed an “I love you” to her before she spoke.
“Welcome. Today, we are taking a moment to appreciate the technology that has kept us connected as a community. At the same time, we are taking a look into the future, and transitioning this technology to position Lowden for future growth and development. It may not look like much.” Kate pointed to the small patch of dirt that would be the future site of the charging station, “but these EV Charging Stations set us apart from every other city in the country. We’ve selected these sites rather intentionally. You’ll notice that they are all in close proximity to our commercial districts. This isn’t just a service for local e-vehicle owners, but also for drivers of e-vehicles as they exit off the highway to top off their charge. They can shop, dine, and access wireless internet as a part of the charging service. Today, we’re establishing one more reason to make Lowden a destination.”
It was time for the ceremonial turning of the sod. The VIPs donned their hard hats and positioned their shovels. Members of the press snapped photos before they collectively pressed their shovels into the ground. There were photos and handshakes and more than a dozen media interviews before Kate was free to leave.
She found Brad, Richard, and Isabelle talking with Scott and Nigel. “Thank you for waiting. I do hope you haven’t been bored.”
“Hardly,” Richard responded. “We’ve had an interesting discussion about some new projects that are in the works.”
“Do you have to go back to city hall?” Isabelle inquired.
“No,” she answered, “I intentionally left the rest of the day open, not knowing what might come out of the press conference.”
“Richard asked if we would show them around, Kate,” Brad added, taking her hand in his. “Why don’t we show him some of the projects that are in the wings before we have lun
ch at the club?”
“Absolutely.” She began walking toward the SUV. “I’ve already sent my car home with a staffer. Can we take your car, Brad?”
“I’ll drive,” he offered. “Isabelle, would you like to ride shotgun?” he asked, opening the passenger door for her as Kate and Richard buckled into the back seat.
They spent the next hour touring key sites in the city. Kate pointed out the additional phone booths that would be converted to EV Posts with wireless internet capability. As they drove through the downtown, Kate pointed out the surplus municipal building that had been sold and converted into a car share business. She also pointed out the municipal buildings that were now hosts to living green walls. They stopped at the recreation facility to see work crews installing solar panels. On their way to the business park, they passed dozens of flowerbeds and boulevard gardens that had been converted into fruit and vegetable gardens for residents to enjoy. When they reached the business park, they exited the car. It was getting hot, and she sensed that they needed a break from touring. “I understand you have some high-profile tech businesses that are going to be relocating to Lowden,” Richard asked.
Kate looked sideways at him, wondering how he knew of JC Software and Compu International’s plans. “Scott told me,” he added, answering her unasked question.
She pointed to the skeleton of a building that was under construction. “That’s their future home.” She pointed towards the earthmovers off in the distance that were preparing a parcel for the future home of the city’s biodigester, explaining the merits of the project to Richard who was listening intently. “We have fifty acres remaining in this business park. I’d like to see it filled in the next five years.”
He patted her back as they walked back to the car, “I have every confidence that you’ll do it, Kate.”
On the way to the club, he asked about her plans for citywide digital infrastructure. He handed her the business cards of CEOs who had expressed an interest in the project. “Give them a call, Kate. I’m confident that any one of them can provide the solution that you’re looking for.”