A Change in Altitude by Cindy Myers

place as soon as she saw they had veggie burgers.” Sharon smiled her thanks as Janelle set two glasses of water in front of them. “She decided to become a vegetarian last year and you’d have thought she’d declared she was a communist the way Joe reacted, or overreacted.”
    â€œI don’t think it’s that unusual for young teenagers to do things like that,” Maggie said.
    â€œJoe was big on living off the land—killing our own food and stuff. But he took it too far with the kids. When Alina was twelve, he made her go out in the woods by herself and kill and butcher a deer. The poor girl was traumatized. She swore she’d never eat anything with a face again.” She rotated the water glass, watching the beads of condensation form on the sides. “I think I knew then that I’d have to get her away from there sooner or later.”
    â€œIt does sound a little grim. Are you a vegetarian, too?” Maggie asked.
    â€œSort of. I’m not as committed as Alina, but a steady diet of wild game did give me an appreciation for fresh vegetables.” And she really didn’t want to talk about this. She searched the room for another topic of conversation and spotted Lucille.
    â€œThere’s the mayor,” she said, and waved.
    Lucille headed toward them. “Hello, Maggie, Sharon. May I join you?”
    â€œPlease do.” Sharon slid over so that Lucille could sit beside her.
    â€œHow are things at the library?” Lucille asked. “Are you plotting revenge against me yet?”
    â€œThings are fine. No need for you to worry.”
    â€œReally? You’re getting along with Cassie?”
    â€œShe’s all right. She likes to boss people around, but I’m used to that.” After Joe and Wilson, Cassie was easy to manage. Sharon had perfected the art of seeming compliant while ignoring two thirds of what she said.
    â€œHave you heard her latest scheme?” Lucille asked.
    â€œYou mean her drive to rename the park?” Maggie nodded. “I heard she was circulating a petition.”
    â€œYes, and she’s asked me to put the item on the agenda for the next town council meeting. I tried to put her off, told her we had too many other pressing concerns, but you know her. She won’t give up. And as a citizen, she’s entitled to be heard.”
    â€œIs there any reason not to rename the park for her grandmother?” Sharon asked. “I mean, if the woman really did all the things Cassie says . . .”
    â€œHer and half a dozen other women who are just as worthy of being remembered,” Lucille said. “For instance, Irene Kildaire, who is a hundred years old and living in a nursing home in Montrose, founded the first day school in the area. And she was on the board of the same women’s club as Cassie’s grandmother, the board that founded the park. Cassie makes it sound like Ernestine did everything all by herself.”
    â€œSo you think by naming the park after Cassie’s grandmother, you’ll be slighting other families,” Sharon said.
    â€œExactly. Not to mention I’m afraid this will set a dangerous precedent. First, she wants the park named after her grandmother. Next, she’ll be lobbying to have the school christened for her grandfather, and the ball fields dedicated to the memory of her uncle. If she could, she’d change the name of the town from Eureka to Wynock.”
    Janelle stopped by the table. “What can I get you, Madam Mayor?”
    â€œIced tea, a winning lottery ticket, and a chicken Caesar salad,” Lucille said.
    â€œI’ll have the tea and salad right out,” Janelle said. “You’re on your own for the lottery ticket.”
    â€œIt’s always something,” Lucille said.
    â€œHow is the budget battle?” Maggie asked after Janelle had left.
    â€œMoney has always been tight, but the new expenses with the mine are putting a