4. Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Justin

I arrive at my office early so that I can get my admin work out of the way. I have a few things planned for the library this week. They'll be closed this final week of the year, and I want to take advantage of that. That all comes to a halt as I open a letter from the board of trustees of the library.

They might want to thank me for all the work I've been doing these past few years, but as I read and read and read, I stand in the middle of my office in shock. I've been asked to stop doing volunteer work for the library.

They do thank me for my services in a small paragraph at the end. Why this? And why now? There's a knock at the door, and Mayor Douchebag strolls into my office. That's not really his name—it's what my brothers and I call him.

"Who let you in here?"

"Your mother was kind enough to send me in."

My mother was one of the women who would fall for the mayor's flirtatious behavior, but after his dealings with two of my brothers, we've all seen his true colors.

"What do you want."

"Get any interesting mail recently?"

I immediately see red. He did this. He convinced the board to keep me away from Ana—I mean, the library. I want to punch him, but his face is still mottled from when Ben hit him before Christmas.

"Why do you care what I do in the library?"

"You do not need to be there. Plus, I think it's time you stop sniffing under Miss Gonzalez's skirts."

I move to grab him, but my brother Danny steps in between us. I didn't hear him come in. Danny's hand squeezes my shoulder, and I relax a tiny bit.

"Okay, you've done your gloating. Time for you to go." Danny says.

"I'll see myself out."

He struts like a peacock—as if he's someone important in Woodland Falls. He might be the mayor, but more and more people are recognizing what a scumbag he is. As soon as I see him get in his car from my window I turn to my brother Danny.

"Get everyone in here."

Technically, I'm the youngest, but I've been running the business since its inception, so when I say get everyone together, my brother hurries to do my bidding. In less than thirty minutes all the Hoffer brothers are in my office.

"What happened?" Ben, the oldest, asks.

"The mayor convinced the library board to keep me from volunteering there any longer."

"Why would he do that?"

"In general, to mess with us. More specifically, I think he's interested in Ana Maria."

"You know you need to ask her out on a date," Michael says.

I ignore that and announce, "I have a plan. I want to run for mayor of Woodland Falls. Would you guys support me if I decide to do that?"

"That's a lot of work for someone that already has a job," Ben says.

"I can handle it, Ben. I've created processes and operating procedures for the business. I have a lot of free time to myself."

"Which you usually spend doing repairs and renovations at the library," Michael says. "Dude, just ask the girl out for a date."

"That's where Ana comes in. I'm a single father, and my campaign might look better if I had a wife."

I hear cursing all around me, but I stand my ground.

"What would Dad say if he were here?" Ben asks me.

"Why would you ask me that?"

"I just want to make sure you are thinking clearly. Do you really want to run for office?"

I think I understand the point my brother Ben is making, but my head is full of conflicting thoughts right now.

"I think Woodland Falls deserves better than Gene Mitchell as a mayor."

"It's a lot of work, Justin," Danny says.

"Do I look like I'm scared of hard work? We built this business together. You know I can hold my own."

"I know that, but if you win, you'll have two jobs plus a daughter to raise. It's a lot." Danny says.

"I thought you guys would have my back."

"We do, Justin. We're just worried you're doing this for the wrong reasons."

I get up from my chair and start pacing around the room. My brothers’ eyes follow me, and the room is in complete silence.

"I want to run for mayor."

My brothers look at each other, and some silent message passes through them. "Good luck." They say in unison.

"I still think the easier thing for you to do is ask the girl out on a date. All your problems will be solved." Michael says.

They file out of my office, and I'm able to breathe easy again. That was hard, but not as hard as convincing Ana Maria Gonzalez to be my wife and the mother of my daughter. I have her number on my cell phone. I asked her for it some time ago when I was doing work for the library.

An ache goes through me when I remember I can no longer go to the library as a volunteer. I've spent so much time there in the past five years that it's like a second home to me. I don't think I can survive not seeing Ana every day.

Coward that I am, I text her instead of calling her.

Me: I'd like to meet with you tonight if possible

Ana: I'm not sure we should do that

Me: I'd like to apologize in person and explain a few things

Ana: You can apologize right now, no need to make a show of it

Me: Please, Ana. There are several things I want to talk to you about

Ana: Okay, but I want it in writing here that I don't think this is a good idea

Me: Thanks. I'll meet you at Over the Roast at six?

Ana: I'll see you then

The exchange leaves me exhilarated, mostly because I'm going to see Ana again. I need to make sure I have a good argument to lay out in front of her so she's more open to considering my proposition.

The wait until six o'clock in the evening is eternal. I spend most of the afternoon practicing the speech I'm going to say to her. At one point, my mother knocks on my office door, startling me.

"Hey, Mom, is everything okay?"

"That's what I was going to ask you. Were you talking to yourself?"

"Um, sort of. Hey, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, sweetheart. What is it?"

"What do you think of Ana Maria?"

"I think she's a wonderful librarian, but most importantly, she's a warm and caring person. She's made friends with Daisy and encourages her to read. I really like her. Why do you ask?"

"I can't tell you. You'll tell me I'm being crazy."

"Is that what your brothers told you at this morning's meeting?"

"Something like that."

My mother looks at me as if she's just figuring out some things about me.

"You're the youngest of your brothers, but you've got a good head on your shoulders. Whatever it is, I trust you, and you have my support."

"That means a lot to me, mom."

I reach out and hug her tightly, then I lift her and twirl her around the room until she's giggling like a schoolgirl.

"I love you, Mom."

She leaves my office with a smile on her face. I look at the time and it's already five in the afternoon. I want to change into some better clothes, so I rush to my house to shower and change. I feel out of place wearing a suit, but if I'm going to propose again, I need to look good doing it.

With one last look into the mirror, I leave my house and go meet my future wife.