Page 53 of Sunset Tides
This led Lucy down a rabbit hole, and she eventually found a grassroots website with a guide on how to survive eminent domain abuse. It was an excellent resource, and she copied down the list of documents they needed to get – everything from ordinances about the island, to proposals for development, to “Vision” plans and studies of the area, and any findings that designated the area as “blighted” or slated for “redevelopment.”
According to the guide, she’d likely have to file a Freedom of Information Act request to get most of this stuff.
This slowed her down for about half an hour. Lucy couldn’t stop fuming about this fact. She had to draw up a FOIA request to beg for a crumb of information about why her hotel was being taken away without warning?
Ridiculous!
Okay, it wasn’therhotel, but it felt that way. The whole situation was absurd, and it only fueled her rage. Lucy wasn’t going to let paperwork stop her.
Sunday was spent working on the FOIA request and reaching out to the greater island community to see if anyone knew what was going on. People were supportive, but ultimately no one had heard of this condemnation or of plans to “revitalize” the area where The Grand Madrona stood.
On Monday, Lucy took off work and caught the ferry to San Juan Island to meet with Jade and Angie. The ride over went quickly, with her reading more stories about businesses taken over by eminent domain requests. She was midway through the story of a family farm being seized when she got a call from Rob.
“Hey, I stopped into the farm shop and they said you were out for the day. Is everything okay?”
Oh shoot. She’d completely forgotten he was back in town. “I’m fine, but everything is most definitely not okay.”
“What happened?”
Lucy rubbed her face. The sun’s reflection on the water was blinding her already tired eyes. “Claire got a letter that the hotel is going to be condemned.”
She waited for him to respond, and when there was nothing, she spoke again. “Are you still there?”
“Yeah, yes, I’m here. Sorry. That’s shocking.”
“Tell me about it. I called off work today. I’ve got to figure some things out.” Silence again. “Rob?”
“I’m here, sorry, just – do you know why it’s going to be condemned?”
“I have no idea! I’m on my way to talk to a member of the county council. I’m not sure how much she can tell me, but hopefully more than I know now, which is nothing.”
“Oh.”
“Don’t wait up. I’ll be gone all day. How was your trip?”
“It was fine. I’m really sorry about this.”
“Don’t be sorry, it’s not your fault. I have to go. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Okay, let me know if – ”
She accidentally hung up on him while he was still talking.
Whoops. She’d apologize to him later.
The ferry was about to pull in and Lucy got in line to deboard – she wasn’t going to waste time stuck behind meandering tourists.
She was the first one off and spotted Jade’s car immediately.
“Hey!” Lucy said as she hopped into the passenger’s seat. “Thanks again for doing this.”
“Any time!” Jade pulled out of her spot and headed toward Roche Harbor. Along the way, she chatted and pointed out landmarks and island highlights.
Even in her fury, Lucy could appreciate Jade’s calm demeanor. For a moment, her mind quieted.
It didn’t hurt that San Juan was such a pretty island. It shared a lot of similarities to Orcas – the same pastoral charms, the beautiful ocean views. Yet it still had its own distinct feel. Therewere more people, more businesses, and yes, more tourists – but somehow, it worked.
When they got to Angie’s restaurant, Lucy felt so relaxed that she’d been lulled into a bout of sleepiness.
