Page 19 of Fibre and Ink

With cinnamon rolls and Mickey’s granola for breakfast, I set myself up at the kitchen table with my laptop and reviewed the notes I’d made yesterday.

I automatically reached for my headphones onto to realize there was no noise at the farm that I wanted to block out.

I left them lying beside me on the table.

The names of the town council were public, so I emailed each of them and asked for information about any large-scale buildings planned for the near future.

I didn’t want to speculate too much on what I’d overheard, so I kept the messages vague, and implied I was interested in starting a town newspaper or newsletter where things of that nature could be shared.

What to do next?

There were too many tech companies to guess who was interested in building nearby.

I tried to navigate the state government website looking up what sorts of consents would be needed, but the whole thing was full of so much jargon, my mind filled with static. I had to give up.

I opened a new blank document on my laptop and started to write.

The tranquility of a town like Foggy Basin is an aspect that must be preserved...

I squinted at the line. Way too formal. It was boring to me, and I’d just written the thing. I hit the back button until it was all gone.

Foggy Basin is a small town, and we like it that way. The beauty of a small town lies in its community. Community thrives when everyone has what they need and no one takes from their neighbor.

I read back over what I’d written.

It was better. I could work with that. I could refine it.

I got back into it.

An hour later when Mickey came in, giving me a smile and a wave.

“How’s it going?”

I blinked up at him. When someone interrupted my creative flow, it felt like I’d been yanked between worlds. Like I’d been wandering some other universe and then I was forced back to the real world. My brain took time to connect back in.

Mickey’s eyes widened. “I just absolutely interrupted you, I’m so sorry. Ignore me!” He raised his hands and started backing away.

I had to laugh. Why was he so cute?

“No, um, it’s fine. I just... The context switching can take a minute. Um, it’s going really good, I think. I’m writing about the power of community and all that.” I ran a hand through my hair and swallowed. “I just need some way to get it out to everyone.”

Mickey approached the table and sat opposite me. “You have access to the place everyone goes to buy their groceries...”

“Right, of course.” I snapped my fingers. “Maybe if I printed out a whole lot and had it like flyers so people could take it when they check out? I’m sure Dill won’t mind. Too much.”

It was a change to his carefully planned store, but still, this was for a good cause.

And I am his baby brother.

He loves me and I’m the baby.

I could get him to agree.

“It’s way past when I’d usually eat lunch,” Mickey said. “Did you eat?”

My stomach rumbled and I realized I’d been so deep in the zone food had entirely slipped my mind.

“Um, no?” I said, although Mickey must have heard my stomach.