Chapter 17 - When the Town Finally Chose
Spring transformed Crow Ridge.
Wildflowers covered the hills.
The mine remained closed.
The old company housing was converted into homes and workshops.
Chinese families who had planned to leave began opening businesses.
Not everyone changed.
Some prejudice remained.
Some people muttered.
Some refused to accept what had happened.
But silence no longer protected them.
Martha became Min's loudest defender, which amused Hilton endlessly.
One afternoon, Min opened a small shop.
Above the door hung a wooden sign:
RIVER & RIDGE GOODS.
She sold embroidery, preserves, tea, cloth, and supplies.
Hilton built the shelves.
Badly, according to Min.
“They're level.”
“No.”
“They are.”
She placed an apple on one.
It rolled off.
Hilton stared.
Min raised an eyebrow.
“I'll fix it.”
“Good.”
That evening the entire town gathered for supper.
Hilton looked around.
Months earlier, people had gathered because they wanted Min gone.
Now they gathered because she had become part of the community.
Change had not happened magically.
It had required evidence.
Courage.
Consequences.
And people admitting they had been wrong.
Hilton realized towns were like houses.
May you like
Sometimes you had to tear out rotten timber before rebuilding.
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