The Haunting of Paxwood House

26: Cracking Open Minds

Wednesday, 22 May 2019, EveningPaxwood, Whatcom County, Washington, USA

Eyewitness: Kerry

You're here to learn about the people who broke the world and the people who saved it, not the minutiae of a city council meeting to discuss a property sale—especially a closed-door meeting where everyone said and did what you'd expect them to say and do. Rowen made her case; Anholts and Hugh made theirs. City council members asked a variety of questions that ranged from incredibly dumb to piercingly insightful, and the final vote would occur during the next public meeting on Tuesday, May 28th. Closed-door as it was, there were no quirky Paxwood personalities arguing that local parks should sell ham and mayonnaise sandwiches at the refreshment stands during summer little league games.

If you want that presentation play-by-play, you can pull up the minutes and the video recording of the meeting on the Paxwood City Council website. I love the nitty gritty, personally, but a thrilling narrative it is not.

Closed door meeting as it was, Mx. Cardoso couldn't attend. They were probably spending the evening with their family, and I'd catch them up in the morning if Rowen didn't before me.

As everyone began parting ways after the meeting ended, I stood torn between at least walking Rowen to her car or catching a ride home with my mother. No guarantee my mother would be around long enough if I dawdled. She had a schedule to keep, and I was old enough to take care of myself. Before I had to make my choice, though, my mother walked up to Rowen in the city hall lobby.

"Insightful presentation," she said. "You seem to understand what's at the heart of a city like Paxwood. Community, standing up next to each other, taking care of our youth."

"I've always cared about community, from the time I was little," Rowen said. "And, in a lot of ways, my communities have always taken care of me. This is my way to give back, and I hope I can do it here."

"My daughter's been preparing you to win me over, hasn't she?"

"Kerry has been a big help," Rowen said.

"And her ears are burning." I stepped in to form a little triangle with the two women. "Turning a historic site into a youth center that welcomes residents and sponsors events for traveling youth leaders would enrich the community, not just make a few people with deep pockets richer."

"Let's talk again before next Tuesday," my mother said to Rowen. Whether she was ignoring my tagline or allowing it to speak for itself, I couldn't tell.

Rowen's gaze shifted past my mother. Anholts and Hugh were also rubbing elbows with city council members. In fact, Anholts was walking away with Curtis Mitchell, a retired math teacher turned city council member. The sweet old man in a tie and cardigan genuinely wanted the world to be a better place, especially for the rising generation. I figured he'd vote our way in a heartbeat.

"I'd like that," Rowen said. While they set a tentative date and time for their meeting, I tracked Anholts' progress through the glass door. At least she wasn't the vampire. At least she wouldn't be drinking a city council member's blood, but Mx. Cardoso had said Anholts worked mind magic.

Rowen surprised me with a request as she wrapped up the conversation. "It's a school night, so I won't keep her long, but can I borrow your daughter for a little longer?"

"Sure, if she wants," my mother said, shaking hands with Rowen.

"Math exam tomorrow, so I need plenty of sleep," I assured her. "See you at home."

We walked out through the lobby door with my mother, and she continued on to her car, while Rowen paused.

"Anholts went left?" she checked, when my mother was clear.