Annaleigh
A loud round of applause rings out as Daniel Trotten steps onto the small platform at the front of the room. He hasn’t practiced law for several years but in his classic navy suit, tonight he looks like he hasn’t missed a day. He clears his throat and begins to speak.
“Ten years ago, Prescott Brooks and I were both junior partners at Richards, Ross and Associates. For private reasons which, if I’m honest, I had a hard time keeping private because c’mon, this is Reyfield” — The audience chuckles at the epic almost divorce of Daniel and his wife — “I left my position while Prescott continued to rise in the ranks at the firm. He did a formidable job and as you know, but for his outstanding work in the Shinewell vs. Town of Reyfield case, we’d all be standing in a landfill right now instead of Reyfield’s very own Museum of Modern History.”
The crowd breaks out into cheers again and my heart fills with pride as I glance over at my husband who stands off to the side of the stage. He worked hard and it was a balancing act for our family during that period but it was all worth it in retrospect. We’re happier and stronger for it.
Daniel continues. “Not only did the legal team led by my friend Prescott prevent the establishment of a landfill right on this very plot of land, they were also instrumental in taking down the town’s corrupt mayor at the time. And I’m so glad that we, the people of Reyfield saw fit to elect him as our mayor, two terms in a row. Well deserved. He’s an outstanding politician.”
The applause is even more intense this time around. Blakely leans across the table and pats my arm in a show of support.
Daniel wears a look of feigned jealousy. “Hey! I didn’t do too bad for myself, either. My self-help book, The Miraculous Transformation...From Indomitable Legal Shark to Scared P*ssy in the Blink of an Eye, stayed on the New York Times bestsellers list for six weeks in a row! Ninety-nine cents this week only in ebook format. Grab your copy now!”
More laughs and applause.
“Okay, okay.” He motions for the crowd to simmer down. “Tonight isn’t about Prescott and it isn’t about me. It’s about the outstanding members of our community who deserve recognition for their contributions over the past few years. So, I’ll pass the floor to my friend, Mayor Prescott Brooks.”
I’m first to leap to my feet, cheering my man on. He strides on to the stage and that powerful body sure knows how to fill in a business suit. My!
“You see why I requested that Daniel Trotten introduce me tonight?” Prescott addresses the crowd with a laughing voice. “The man makes me look good! Thank you, sir!”
More laughter.
“As my friend said, tonight is about honouring the members of our community who deserve to be acknowledged for their contributions. People like retired footballer, Maxwell Masters, who has made enormous financial contributions to this town and its various institutions including this very museum.”
We all cheer loudly. Maxwell has been extremely generous to the town over the past few years as he rose to the top of the league and eventually retired to coach college teams instead.
“People like Blakely and Nicholas Sullivan, who have done an extraordinary job of creating a software company that addresses the cognitive and creative needs of their users.”
More applause. Blakely and Nicholas’s company has developed an impressive list of educational and productivity apps that help anyone from sufferers of Asperger’s Syndrome, writers, teachers and even taxi drivers. I am so proud of my best friend.
“People like the Monroe sisters who have put their talents together to create the Mellow Initiative that provides healthy, farm-grown lunches to the children of Reyfield once a week.”
Lots of hooting for those girls. What they’ve done is truly incredible. Lily uses her extremely popular lifestyle blog to raise funds to sustain a small plot of land on her husband’s farm where fresh fruits and vegetables are grown. Once a week, that fresh produce is taken to the community center where Faith is now the director-general (a.k.a. the big boss) and Grace, who has a partnership with Herbivore Café, teaches middle school aged kids how to prepare fun, healthy meals. The program has been a hit in our community.
“And we can’t forget people like Bella Trotten who just earned a full scholarship to attend Harvard thanks to Reuben Barre and the Harvey Marquette Memorial Foundation…Barely 18 and she’s already outshone her dad! Take that, Daniel!”
Everyone laughs and points their applause in Bella’s direction. The young girl blushes. She had a difficult start in life but with the love and support of Daniel and Grace Trotten, she’s flourished into a beautiful, intelligent young woman maintaining excellent grades even as she works part-time at Eva’s jewelry boutique. She’s an inspiration.
Prescott clears his throat. “Anyway, I’ll stop boring you now and give the floor to our honorees for the night. I’m sure everyone is excited to hear a few words from them. Let’s begin!”