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Bear
Mayor Voglmeyer comes intoBreakfast at Britta’s every morning for her coffee. So do a lot of people in Paradise. Britta’s is always packed, which makes it easy to avoid the mayor when our breakfasts overlap. Usually, I do my best to blend into the crowd so she doesn’t notice me. That’s difficult for a guy my size, but everyone in Paradise knows me, so I don’t stick out the way I do other places. Between me and my brothers, people here are used to living around giants, but I’m the biggest of all of them.
On Tuesday morning, though, I get to Britta’s early to get a table right by the window so I can watch for Darlene. Instead of my regular mocha with whipped cream on top, I work through three cups of black coffee—straight. No sugar, no cream—to steel my courage. I take the last sip of the bitter stuff, wondering ifshe’s not coming in today, when I spot her black Cadillac pull into the parking lot.
She climbs out of the car, and my hands tremble. Partly from the rush of caffeine. Partly from nervousness.
While I hate public speaking, I don’t mind talking face-to-face with a person… as long as that person isn’t Mayor Voglmeyer. In general, she’s not the kind of person anyone enjoys talking to, but she is a person who gets things done. Which is why she keeps getting elected mayor. That, and no one has the guts to run against her.
The people in line at the counter go a little quieter when she walks in. A few give her friendly hellos while others greet her with a brisk “mayor.” Still others avoid eye contact altogether, take their coffee, and get out before she can corner them about the sad state of their yards, or pressure them for their commitment to sponsor a local event, or convince them to try her kid Lyle’s terrible hamburger joint.
Britta is among those who give her a genuine hello, before handing her the to-go cup she’s had ready and waiting for the mayor.
I watch it all, wishing I had Mayor Voglmeyer’s confidence. I wish I had Britta’s, for that matter. Even Cassie’s.
If I did, Paradise could have an official girl’s hockey team, for sure, with top line equipment, and a permanent rink.
The thought of the girls drives me out of my seat. I may not be able to convince people outside my family to donate money for my team, but Darlene has that kind of power. If I can get her on my side, I know everything else will fall into place, too.
I catch the mayor as she’s about to leave. It’s possible I block the door so she can’t. I don’t mean to; I’m only trying to talk to her.
“Good morning, Mayor.” I barely get the words out before my ears are burning.
The fire travels quickly to my cheeks when Darlene squints, looking confused by my presence. Like she’s never seen me before.
“Good morning, Bjorn. If you’ll excuse me, I’m in a bit of a hurry.”
She’s never called me Bear. Not once. Not even when Lyle and I were kids and played on the same hockey team for a season.
My mind goes blank, and I quickly open the door and move out of the way so she can go through. Britta catches my eye as the mayor walks past me. Her lips press together and her eyes grow big. She might explode from holding her breath if I don’t talk to Darlene. I told her I’d do it after my meeting with Lester didn’t go so well.
I run after Darlene, catching her when she’s almost to her car. “Excuse me, Mayor…” I grab her coat sleeve to stop her. At the look she sends me, I quickly let go and remember all the times growing up when Mom would remind me that because of my size, my actions can be misinterpreted. I’m a grown man who now has to remind myself of this. I take a step back to ease her worry.
I swallow hard, then force words out of the pit in my stomach. “Sorry, ma’am. I just, I, uh…”
Her eyes narrow, and even though it’s the dead of winter, I swear it’s her look that sends the sun into hiding and causes the temperature to drop ten degrees.
“Iwonderedifyou’vehadachancetolookatmyproposal,” I say in one breath.
The mayor blinks slowly, then takes a long sip of her coffee, while I contemplate melting into the snow-covered pavement.
“I have.” She smacks her lips, and I wait for her to say more.
She doesn’t.
“Um… did you…likeit?” I turn my head slightly, preparing for the verbal blow that’s likely coming.
Better to take it on the chin than right in the nose.
Darlene takes another long sip of her coffee, smacks her lips again, then meets my eye. “I did… not.”
In the nanosecond betweendidandnot,I let my hopes get away from me, making the blow hit even harder than I’d anticipated.
“Oh.” That’s all I can think to say.
She turns to open her door, and I find my voice.
“Can you tell me why? Did the entire city council agree with you?”
