4
It felt as if all of Rose Hollow was watching the mayor make his address. Becky was standing in Mickey's living room, still in her coat and scarf, watching the mayor on TV.
It was important, but Becky didn't know why—not yet.
"Has he started?" Mickey asked. She pushed a mug of coffee into Becky's hands, and Becky shook her head.
"Not yet." It had been a week since the party, and the mayor had an announcement to make.
It felt as if they were watching history in the making.
On the screen behind Mayor Green, she could see James Smith. He was less handsome when not in a tux. His face was still and serious, and she stared at him for a long time. The mayor turned towards him and whispered. James nodded in return.
They were standing in front of the town hall, and they were experiencing a
