Page 21 of As a Last Resort
AUSTIN
Sam was already waiting outside the community center when I pulled up. The parking lot was packed with golf carts, not a single inch of pavement left.
“Wow, people are really serious about this, huh?” she said as I walked up.
“Very.”
We tiptoed in and slid into two chairs in the back.
“Are we late?” she whispered.
“No, these things go for hours. People come and go the whole time.”
The meeting was already in full swing and it was only 3:04 p.m. At the front of the room, a wobbly folding table held the weight of local democracy with Bob, the board president, half listening, and Donna, the board secretary, furiously scribbling notes.
The twenty white plastic chairs lined up facing the table were mostly filled.
A wiry man in a faded Tommy Bahama shirt was already standing, mid-rant when we walked in.
“It’s July, Bob. Christmas lights shouldn’t be allowed to still be hanging in July .”
“Your Honor,” a woman across the room piped up, her Christmas lightbulb earrings jingling as she spoke. “They’re festive. And they’re not on Ricky’s property. So this entire conversation is irrelevant.”
“You don’t have to call me Your Honor , Rita,” Bob muttered, like it was the hundredth time he had told her.
“The lights are distracting,” Ricky fired back.
“They’re joyful.”
“It looks like a disco in my house, Bob.”
“Can’t you just close your blinds?” he asked exasperated.
“I shouldn’t have to close my blinds. That’s the point!” Ricky’s arms flailed. “It’s my house. I should be able to leave the blinds open without it turning into Studio 54 in there.”
Rita smirked. “What’s wrong with Studio 54? That was one of the greatest eras of all time.”
“If I wanted Studio 54, I’d turn on my TV. Or, I’d set foot in your house where I’m sure I’d find a plethora of Lycra and spandex.”
Sam giggled beside me. “Is it always this entertaining?”
“Only if you’re lucky,” I whispered back, trying to contain myself.
She kept her voice low. “What does Ricky do?”
“He runs the general store on the island. Ironically, he probably sold Rita the Christmas lights he’s mad about.”
Bob rubbed his temples, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else. “Rita, it’s seven months past Christmas.”
“Technically, it’s only five months until Christmas,” she corrected with a grin.
“Maybe you could at least get rid of the reindeer,” Bob suggested.
Samantha straight up laughed, and a few people turned to glare at us.
Rita folded her arms. “You show me where in the city bylaws restrictions on lawn decorations are mentioned, and I’m happy to take them down.”
Bob sighed, utterly defeated. “She’s got you, Ricky. There’s nothing I can officially do here.”
“And, Your Honor,” Rita jumped in, “I’d like to formally request that you make Ricky give me back my five-foot plastic Santa.”
“I didn’t take—”
“Yes, you did!” She pointed an accusing finger. “Don’t you lie, Ricky!”
Bob groaned. “Ricky, did you take her Santa?”
“Bob, this is ridic—”
“I know it’s in his garage, Your Honor. I’d like permission for a rescue mission; anything it takes to free it from captivity.”
“Ricky, did you take her Santa?”
Ricky hesitated. “I plead the Fifth.”
“You can’t plead the Fi—You know what? Ricky, give the Santa back.
And close your blinds. Rita, get rid of the reindeer.
At least the one with the broken antler and missing eye—that thing scares my grandkids.
And no Christmas lights after ten p.m.” He took a deep breath. “Alright, next up, Austin Marcs.”
“Buckle up,” I whispered to Sam as I stood.
“Just here to request permission for extended ferry operation hours, Bob. I need to schedule a few more runs to the island.”
Ricky shot to his feet again. “Why? Are we bringing more people to the island? Do we really need to do that?”
Sam pulled on my arm and mouthed, What is he doing?
“Yes, we do. It’s tourist season and we have the typical influx of visitors. But I’m already sold out for the month. I need to extend hours to get a few more runs in. Early morning doesn’t tend to go over well with guests, so I’d like to request evening hours.”
Ricky pursed his lips and crossed his arms, looking to Bob like he expected an overwhelming agreement.
“Yes, Austin, we’ve discussed and the board agrees, extended hours are fine.”
Ricky huffed. “What about city noise ordinances? He’ll be in direct action against them.”
Samantha stood up beside me.
“Ricky, is it?” Sam asked, her tone polite but sharp enough to turn heads.
Ricky squinted at her, suspicious. “Yeah?”
Sam smiled sweetly, but there was an edge to it. “I’m sure you know that the noise ordinance doesn’t apply to marine vessels on the water after sunset. It’s covered under section twelve, subsection C of the city code.”
Ricky’s expression faltered, his arms dropping to his sides. “Well—uh—”
“And,” Sam continued, not missing a beat, “even if it did, the ordinance allows for exceptions when the noise is connected to public transportation or tourism-related activities. Which a ferry service qualifies as. Isn’t that right, Bob?”
Bob blinked, a little stunned, then nodded. “That’s… correct.”
Samantha tilted her head, all charm. “So, technically, unless there’s another complaint you’d like to file—maybe about the city’s support of small businesses?—I don’t think Austin’s request goes against sound ordinances.”
I stared at her, impressed. I didn’t see that coming.
Ricky fumbled for a response. “I just—I don’t think—”
“You own the general store on the island, right?” Sam asked, raising a brow. “Seems to me, more ferry runs would only bring more people through your door.”
A few people around the room murmured in agreement, and Bob took the opportunity to slam his hand lightly on the wobbly table. “Extended ferry hours approved. Wrap it up by ten p.m., Capt’n.”
Ricky sank back into his seat with a grumble. “Guess I’ll just have to stay open till midnight, then.”
Rita leaned over and whispered loud enough for everyone to hear, “I’ll leave the lights on for you, boo.”
Sam sat down gracefully, the corners of her mouth tugging into a smile.
I chuckled, low and appreciative. “That was impressive.”
She gave a playful shrug. “It’s just good business. Someone has to know the rules.”
For a moment, I just stared at her. Sam was smart, sharp, and a step ahead of everyone else. And damn, if it wasn’t attractive.
“Alright, moving on,” Bob sighed, shuffling his notes as the room dissolved back into bickering.
I grabbed Sam’s hand and we made for a quick exit. As we walked outside, I was still in awe of how effortlessly she’d stepped in and shut Ricky down, and how she made it look so easy.
Maybe this girl from my past wasn’t just someone to catch up with. Maybe she was someone to keep up with.