Chapter 306: Debate

I sat at the back of the hall, keeping to myself, though the crowd shifted and flowed around me, almost like a living being, a single entity made up of what felt like the majority of the town of Reading. Olivia's plan to live stream the event apparently wasn't necessary. No one wanted to miss the debate of the century from the looks of things.

It was hard to read the mood, as intense as the evening had become, with the two sides-Olivia vs. Geoffrey-seemed intent on building to a crescendo that would likely end in our cute little burg falling prey to a con man run by who knew what agenda.

Then again, I had to admit, the efforts we'd made to assemble Olivia's supporters to speak for her seemed to be helping somewhat. While I myself had to have Mom read our statement-I still couldn't speak very well, though it was better than it had been, two days later-the long line of business people willing to support our present mayor was heartening.