What We Trade Our Hearing For (a North and South Story)

30. Vote

"And some have said,

That true love's something we are sure of

My only hope lies in your being confused

With all you said, I would wait one hundred summers

Just once again to be with you."

-The Submarines

Maggie

There was no way to shake the constant thoughts of The Mill since Henry's declaration. She heard about the last show, wishing she could have been there to see the amazing performance by Williams' band. All the critics raved about it. Maggie couldn't imagine how everyone at The Mill must have felt; it broke her heart to think about.

She was sitting in the living room, staring off into the distance and turning ideas over in her mind when Henry came in. "Oh, Henry! Just the person I was hoping to see," she said, jumping up. He smiled, waiting for her to continue. "I've decided I want to go to Atlanta, and I was hoping you would come with me."

Henry's smile faltered, just barely, at the suggestion, though he did his best to hide it. "Of course, whatever you need."

"Perfect. I have a plan. I was hoping you would be able to help me work out the details," Maggie said, clapping her hands and rushing off to get everything set up for the trip. Of course, she would have preferred to go alone, but she really did need Henry's help. She just hoped he didn't take the suggestion the wrong way.

Tucked away behind a corner, Eden had heard the whole exchange. She grinned to herself, glad that things were finally turning out the way she wanted. Now, if only Henry could manage not to screw it up this time, everything would be perfect.

They were able to get a flight the next day. Once Maggie laid out the general outline of her plan, Henry spent most of the flight working out the details and running the numbers. He had to admit, it wasn't the worst idea. From the information he had, The Mill was generally profitable. Thornton had fallen just short enough to put him under; it wouldn't take much to get things back up and running. Henry almost wished that wasn't the case. It would be a lot easier to just write The Mill off and convince Maggie to find a new tenant for the building. Instead, he was going along with her plan and putting her back in the path of those godforsaken southerners. Maybe Henry was a fool, after all.

The Mill sat silent and empty. The door was unlocked, even though there wasn't a sign of anyone in the building. Maggie had hoped John would be there, perhaps cleaning out his office or finishing up last-minute paperwork before closing things up for good. Instead, she found his office half empty. It seemed like someone had left partway through the job of packing away all the papers and knickknacks. Maybe he had just stepped out for a moment.

Henry had dropped her off before heading to the hotel to check-in, making sure she got in the building before pulling away. Maggie decided to check upstairs and make sure no one was up there while she waited. The silence was louder than any show she had ever seen there. It was so easy to imagine the bands that had played on the stage, to hear the echoes of the screaming crowds. She wandered over towards the bar, remembering the first night she stepped foot in The Mill. She could practically feel John's eyes watching her from the steps. How things had changed since that night.

"He's not here." Mrs. Thornton's sharp voice startled Maggie from her thoughts and sent her heart racing. "If you've come to boast over him. He's not here." There was a distinct note of sadness in her voice as she made her way to Maggie before standing in front of her, arms crossed. "So, you've come to survey your property, then? And after he's worked his whole life for this, too." She shook her head, daring Maggie to contradict her.