Chapter 24 - The Projection
A month later, the city threw a massive block party to celebrate the official securing of the Oakridge Community Center. The streets were closed off, filled with music, food stalls, and laughing children.
Claire stood near the entrance of the center, watching the joyous chaos. She remembered the day Maya had shown up at her door, soaking wet and terrified. Now, Maya was laughing, dancing with her students in the sunlight.
Michael Grant, the executive director of the Ashbourne Museum, arrived with a team of volunteers, setting up an art exhibit for the children right in the middle of the street.
"We thought the museum shouldn't just wait for people to visit," Michael told Claire, smiling. "We decided to bring the art to them."
Claire looked around. The wealthy donors from the museum were mixing freely with the families from the South Ward. The velvet ropes that had once divided the city were completely gone, replaced by a genuine sense of community.
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"You did this, Claire," Adrian said, walking up beside her.
"We did this," Claire corrected him. "It took all of us to break the silence."
