Chloe explained that she was thinking of putting together a proposal for a trial program involving only a few residents and spanning a four-to-six-week period, just as she was doing with the Junior/Senior Program, and if it proved beneficial, then she would pitch a longer-term program.
“Does that sound like something you’d be interested in?” Chloe asked.
“Yes. Definitely.”
“That’s great. Would you be willing to help me with the proposal? I want to be sure my terminology is correct and that I don’t miss any key elements.”
“I’d love to.”
They made plans to meet the following Tuesday at Chloe’s office, and Chloe explained all of the hoops Madigan would have to jump through in order to work at LOCAL, assuming the proposal was accepted.
“I’m excited about what this program could do for our residents,” Chloe said as she gathered her notes and began putting them into her messenger bag.
“Me too.” Madigan eyed Chloe’s bag and said, “I see a red book cover. Is that Dirty Island Desires?”
“Yes. I run a book club and we’re reading it. Have you read it? It hit all the bestseller lists.”
“My book club is reading it, too! I bet they all are. It’s all over social media. I’m almost done with it, and oh my God, talk about hot!”
“I know. It’s so good. What book club are you in?”
“It’s online, and right now it’s just called My Book Club because the founders can’t decide on a name.”
Chloe laughed and said, “I can’t believe this. That’s my book club. I started it with my friend Daphne. We’re still trying to come up with the perfect name.”
“Are you ReadingMama or ChapterChick? I’m MadReader!”
“I’m ChapterChick, and Daph is ReadingMama. She has a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter. How did you find the club?”
“My cousin Dixie was visiting last summer and she turned me and my friend Marly on to it.”
“Dixie Whiskey?” Chloe asked. When Madigan nodded, she said, “I know her. She and her friends have joined us over video chat a few times. She’s a riot.”
“Oh my gosh, you have no idea. I want to be Dixie when I grow up. I swear she’s tougher than half the guys I know.” Madigan lowered her voice and said, “And she’s married to the hottest guy on the planet, Jace Stone, of Silver-Stone Cycles.”
“I don’t know anything about motorcycles.” But I think Justin has got that hottest-guy label sewn up.
“I don’t know much about motorcycles, either, but I know Jace’s are right up there as some of the best. I drive a pink Vespa, which my brothers love teasing me about. Anyway, you should know that I’ve told all my friends about the book club. See that blond waitress? The one with the long kinky hair and tattoos that Leah is shadowing?” She pointed across the room to a pretty girl taking an order from a customer and said, “That’s Starr. She’s in the book club, too.”
“Really? That’s awesome. When Daph and I started the club, we never imagined having a whole group of readers in our area. Do you know we have in-person meetings every month at different locations?” Since the club had members all over the world, most of their communication was handled in the online forum, but every month a member was chosen at random to select the book for the following month and to choose the location for the in-person meeting. They had only one rule. The meetings must take place where there was a beach, or at least a body of water. Members who could not make it were always invited to join them via video chat.
“Yes, but I never check out that thread because I’m always traveling. Using the forum is easier.”
“I totally get that. But this month’s meeting is local. We’re meeting at Cahoon Hollow Beach tomorrow night at seven. Do you want to come? You can bring Marly and Starr. It’s going to be a lot of fun. I’ve planned a tropical island luau theme with leis and fruity drinks, island music, the whole nine yards.”
“That sounds incredible. I’m sure Marly will want to come, and I’ll ask Starr, but she’s a single mother and I know she has trouble finding sitters for Gracie. She’s an active toddler.”
“She can bring her. We’re used to little ones. Sometimes Daphne has to bring her daughter, Hadley. I can’t wait to meet Marly, and hopefully Starr, too. What are their screen names? I’ll hunt them down on the forums.”
“Marly’s is FlippinPages, and Starr’s is RadiantReader. They’ll be excited to—”