and a vicious smile on her face. She knows she’s just lit a gigantic bonfire, and now she’s watching it burn.
Rydale Miller puts his two cents into the conversation while picking his teeth with the ever-present toothpick that he keeps in his mouth. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that, dear. And if she’s an attorney, then that just means she knows how to get around the law.” He’s sitting with Sterling and gives the man a slap on the arm to indicate that he and Sterling are a team.
“It’s not Cheryl.” I try to modulate my tone so that my irritation doesn’t come through, but I must not have accomplished it because Rydale’s cheeks go ruddy. Now I feel horrible. “I’m sorry, Rydale. This whole business with the billboard has me on edge.”
His hard eyes melt, and his lips turn down at the corners. With a sad nod he says, “I understand, Tiger. I wouldn’t want anyone painting graffiti on my face either.”
“Yes, well … thank you.”
Carmon clears her throat into the microphone. “My point is that everyone should be on the lookout for this deviant. We don’t want his graffiti to be the first thing visitors see when they arrive for Ryder Days. That billboard by itself is already an eyesore.” The last part she says away from the microphone, but everyone heard it. However, it may be the only thing that Carmon and I have ever agreed on.
Our fearless and evil leader closes her notebook, signaling the end of the meeting, but she’s not done piling on me yet. “I want Ryder Days to be the best thing this town has ever seen. It will be the last event held at the community center, since Tiger turned in an incomplete application, and failed to get the funding we needed.” The glee with which Carmon delivers that statement is ridiculous.
Did I miss the memo about pile on Tiger day?
I raise my gaze to the podium and notice that everyone is looking at me. Maggie’s grip tightens on my leg, but it doesn’t help. I’ve had it with being thought of as an incompetent airhead. I stand and address the room. “The application was complete when I turned it into the mayor’s office for him to add the information from the city.”
Carmon cocks her head and pouts like she’s sorry that I’m so stupid. “It’s alright, Tiger.” She shakes her head and her conservative bob barely moves. “I’m sure you did your best with the application. Sometimes we all get in over our heads, no one blames you.”
The murmurs of agreement are infuriating.
“I don’t get your meaning, Carmon?” I’m going to make this witch say it.
“Well …” She peeks at the audience from under her 1980s bangs like they’re all in on the secret. “It’s just that this application might have been outside of the realm of your capabilities, dear.” She holds her hands up in surrender. “No shame. At least you tried.”
“Carmon, Tiger’s not the reason that the grant wasn’t approved.” Maggie stands beside me. “She did her job.”
The woman’s got her lip stuck out again like she’s indulging a fibbing child. “Mm-hmm.”
“I’m serious, Carmon,” Maggie insists.
“I’m sure you are.” She claps her hands and surveys the room. “I believe that’s all I have for—”
“Actually, there is one more thing.” Everyone turns to look my direction. “The town will get the money we requested. Cash told me Friday that he will honor the requested donation.” There’s a niggling concern that he may have changed his mind after our argument today, but I shove it aside.
The room erupts in applause, and I have the satisfaction of seeing the woman’s face turn a lovely shade of crimson. It’s a small and short-lived vindication.
Carmon gives a slow clap into the microphone, then leans in to say, “I heard you two were a couple.” She winks and gives me a thumbs-up. “Good job, Tiger.”
“Sorry?”
She glances around the room to make sure she has everyone’s attention, then she gives me a conspiratorial look. “Whatever it takes, right?”
“That’s not what—”
“Well, if there’s nothing else, we’re adjourned. Thanks for coming.” She gathers her papers and exits out the door off the stage.
That bitch.
“Tiger …” Maggie’s generally cheerful voice is full of concern.
I just shake my head.
My best friend pulls on my arm. “Come on, let’s get out of here before I go after that conniving beech and kick her thunking asp.”
I numbly follow Maggie to the car. How did Carmon turn my moment of victory