Taking Chances

Chapter 32

The Brooksdale Council Chambers were in a modern building across the road from the court house on Main Street. The court house was an old brick building with a white façade and hard-wood interior. In contrast, the Council Chambers was steel and glass. The meeting room that Ryan found himself in now was furnished with pine-coloured conference table and new black office chairs. Most of the council members were present tonight, the last Wednesday in August.

Ryan knew most of them; Steven James, Thomas Fletcher, Gene Lewis, Michelle Partridge, Paul Jeffereies, Josephine Brumsfield, Adeline Greene, Benjamin Burnside, and Travis Timson. Greg Lee was absent, but Ryan wished he was there. He knew Adam's father would support the youth centre cause.

Finally, was Michael Brooks, who sat at the head of the conference table. Ryan knew the opposite was true of this man, who wanted to funnel more funds into the chamber of commerce.

Ryan waited patiently for his turn to speak to the council. He had been preparing for this moment for a long time. He intended to ask for an increase in funds, not just the maintenance of the budget. He counted off the people he thought would support his request; Adeline Greene, probably Gene Lewis and Michele Partridge, and may be Benjamin Burnside. That was four. Damn. He really needed Adam Lee tonight.

Surely once the members heard his case for an increase in funding they would understand. Students who participated in after school programs, typically graduated high school and went on to further studies. There were less juvenile delinquency cases, and participants' attendance at school were high than those students who did not attend after school activities. It was a win for everyone.

At last, it was Ryan's turn to address the councillors. He stood confidently before the council members and looked each one in the eye as he spoke. "Ladies and gentlemen of the council, I'm here tonight to ask that you do not cut the Youth Centre's budget."

Some notes were passed around the table. Some members looked through their budget papers. Michael Brooks yawned, whilst Steven James whispered softly to Travis Timson, but the rest seemed to be listening.

Flutters of nerves rolled through Ryan and his confidence flagged, but he kept his focus. "The youth centre provides an invaluable resource to this town's young people. The centre keeps youths off the streets after school and provides a place for students to study on weekends. To cut funding would be to hurt our citizens in their most vulnerable years." A bark of laughter from Steven and Timson punctured Ryan's speech. He clenched his fists and continued, "The centre already does a lot on a small budget, as participants join community events."

Brooks interrupted, "Like the Billy Cart Bash? The one where you were arrested?"

Adeline Greene interjected, "I think this needs clarification; Ryan was not arrested. No charges were-"

"Oh, come on! He was taken away by the cops. If that's not arrested, then I don't know what is." Brooks leaned across conspiratorially and whispered to Steven James, who nodded and smiled gleefully. Fighting down the desire to unleash a verbal tirade at Brooks, Ryan clenched and unclenched his fists. Josephine Brumsfield gestured for Ryan to continue. He directed the councillors to the youth centre's budget and the accomplishments for the year.

Another interruption, this time from Timson, "We know all this. Move on."

"Right. The petition, then." Ryan reached into a box he had on the floor and pulled out a pile of papers. He dumped them on the table with a thud. The glasses of water rattled from the vibration.

"6223 people signed the petition. That's a lot of people who want the youth centre funded properly."

Ryan glanced around. Fletcher and Burnside nodded. Adeline said, "That's a lot of people. More than who make use of the centre."

"Yes. Yes, but not a majority of our population. Which would only matter if the issue were up for a referendum; which it isn't." Michael Brooks rubbed his eyes. He looked like a tired parent trying to explain a difficult math problem to a child. "Mr. Anderson, you were invited here as a courtesy to the community. Now stop wasting our time. We're going to vote. Wait outside."

Ryan ran his thumb over his jaw line. "I haven't finished my presentation."

Steven James spoke, "Ryan, come on buddy. You've had your turn. Councillors are busy. Wait outside." Ryan looked about the room, saw the tide had turned, then walked outside.

The double wooden doors closed heavily behind him and he took a seat on a cheap sofa with a view of the court house across the street.

Bec waited anxiously at Ryan's place. She felt the same anxiety as Ryan. She had seen the value of the youth centre and felt proud to have been involved, if only in a minor way. The TV was on, but she paid no mind to it. She had her work laptop out and tried to keep herself occupied with editing photos.

She heard the jingle of keys in the front door. Ryan walked through the door. He walked heavily with his shoulders bent under an invisible weight.

He looked at Bec and shook his head.

"What happened?"

"They voted for a cut in the budget. With what they're giving us, we'll have to cut back to three days a week."

That was bad news and Bec felt Ryan's disappointment. She went to him, hugged him, and kissed him gently.

She put her hand against his cheek. "I'm proud of you. You did all you could. You didn't let anyone down."

"Hmmph. You'd better kiss me to prove it." At least he hadn't lost his sense of humour. Bec kissed him gently at first, then passionately. She broke away, took up Ryan's hand and led him into the bedroom.