Chances (Mystic Nights #1)(27)
“You don’t feel sick otherwise?” he asked. He hoped it wasn’t the flu or a cold. He really couldn’t be sick right now. He felt bad for her, but until this audit situation was over and his mother returned, he really needed to be at his strongest while at the helm.
She shook her head while she rinsed once more.
“Maybe you should go to the doctor. It could be the flu?” he suggested.
“I had my shot this year.” She was shaking her head in the negative. “It was just the pizza. Really. And I have my meeting today before the council, so maybe a bit of nerves too.” She could see he still seemed concerned.
“Are you sure?” he queried. His worried brown eyes searched hers.
She nodded her assurances as he handed her a toothbrush.
“Okay, well, I’ll let you clean up. Finish in here. I’ll go make you some toast,” he suggested as she smiled at him once more. She watched as he left the bathroom.
When the door closed, Aliya first clutched her hands over her face in utter embarrassment, and then she clutched her hands over her stomach. Whatever it was, it hadn’t passed. She felt her stomach fluttering again.
Glancing in the mirror, a sudden thought occurred to her and she had a moment of panic. She did some calculations in her head, and clasped her hand over her mouth. She almost lurched again. Yes! She needed to go to the doctors. But not to see if this was the flu.
She had a feeling about this. A very bad feeling.
Could it be? Not again, she thought. Please. Not again. Not now. Not this way.
*
Aliya arrived at the monthly open council meeting with plenty of time to spare. She had gone ahead and put together her proposal using visual aids she had printed at Kinkos. She also had professional copies made of her business proposal for all the council members, and a few spares to hand out if any members of the community wanted to see it.
If they had a projection system she hoped to use it to share with all those in attendance. Yes, it would only be the four council persons voting, but Lantern Hill was a tight knit community, so if she swayed the elders and other community members in attendance; it could only help her cause.
Because the meetings were held on Saturday afternoons, Aliya had cancelled today’s practice. She could have left it to her understudy, but they had all been working so hard putting together the routines for the new spring show. She felt they deserved the break.
The room was fairly full when one of the the administrative staff’s assistants came to get her. Her parents sat in the audience as well, and she was glad to see some familiar and friendly faces in the crowd.
Peter introduced her and outlined what her proposal was about. She smiled his way, and then took center stage. She thought she was doing a great job. There had been some cheers and sporadic applause while she presented. And most of the council gave her verbal encouragement as she spoke.
Yes, she was a dancer, but public speaking was not something she was used to. Her Dad winked at her as she wrapped up her prepared statement and speech, and her Mom gave her a thumbs up, pen gripped in hand as she took notes. Aliya was sure she would end up being an article in the small town’s local paper. It would be a very favorable piece. Laura Chance was her mother after all.
“So as you can see,” she concluded, “a facility of this type will appeal to our youth, both boys and girls. It will strengthen the community, infuse our youth with new ways to acquire and learn skills pertinent to our culture and heritage, and provide a healthy outlet for their feelings and emotions. Studies show from similar activities, and similar dance studios in low socio-economic areas have proven that positive culturally sensitive activities benefit the community as a whole by decreasing dropout rates and crime. All around, this will be a good thing.”
She glanced at the council members. Myrtle was smiling broadly. Peter gave her a wink. And the two other faces peering down at her looked pleased as well.
“Shall we vote?” Myrtle was the first to speak.
There was slight pause before anyone else spoke. “Shouldn’t we discuss it first?” Aliya’s head snapped towards the voice of the person speaking. It was the first hint of dissent she had heard all afternoon. It came from Josephine Milea.
All eyes turned towards the newest council member. “If you would like,” Myrtle conceded. “But let me go on the record by saying I love the idea. I am all for bringing a dance studio to our reservation. Cultural activities like this will enrich the youth of our people.”
Josephine interjected softly. “I agree. But for now, space is pressing. We really could use a clinic for drug addiction. You know this is a growing problem.” And it was. Aliya could admit that. There had been several incidents involving drugs on the reserve. There had even been an accidental overdose last fall. It was tragic.
But on the other hand, her studies showed that drug problems diminished when kids had healthier recreational choices. She wanted to speak up. Address that issue. She had forgotten to mention it in her report. But her slotted speaking time was up. She felt her Mom pat her affectionately on the arm. Luckily she didn’t have to say anything. Myrtle was already jumping to her defense. “I know Miss Chance did not mention it, but in her report on page 38 she mentions the positive effect of dance on the younger generation. It serves the need for a healthy activity, and alternative recreational activities keep children occupied and prevents the problem before it starts.”