4. Chapter Four
Chapter Four
Only three of the staff members came to chat with me that morning. When they left, each looked more relaxed than they had when they arrived. When I returned to the main space, I found people crowding the registration table to pick up their badges and schedules.
People walked by, congratulating me as they walked past. I was amused that everyone already knew something that hadn’t been announced yet.
Sometimes I would go places and feel invisible, but other times I would feel like there was a spotlight on me.
When I was at EncycloWiki events, it always felt like I belonged.
It was the right balance of attention and being able to be alone if I needed it.
I was no longer a mere participant here to enjoy myself and learn.
I wasn’t sure what to do with myself with my meetings finished.
“Do you want to see the rest of the space?” Carrie asked when she noticed I seemed stuck without an idea of where to go next.
I brightened at the offer and she waved a hand to follow her.
She seemed like one of those women who walked at a rapid pace, rushing to get to her next obligation.
I appreciated that she slowed her pace so I didn’t struggle to keep up with her.
She led me into a room filled with round white pods where people were setting up to work.
Some people sat while others laid down, almost all with laptops.
A screen was lowered on a few for privacy, and I wondered if those people were catching a nap.
“This is a museum and archive dedicated to the fiber industry. My family realized nothing like this existed in the country. We felt we had a responsibility as industry leaders to record our history,” Carrie said as we made our way through the space.
“Plus, I thought it would be a small way to bring in some tourists now that we’re working to build up the city for increased tourism. ”
I perked up, remembering some news about recent developments in Lacock. “I understand the Northanger family is building a small theme park out here,” I said, wondering if this was part of the changes happening.
Carrie turned to me and winked. “It’s still in the early phases, and the city leaders aren’t all on the same page about it, but a lot of us are doing the work to get Lacock ready for when it does happen.”
My curiosity was piqued, and I made a mental note to ask both Grace and Lizbeth about what was going on here.
Getting a theme park, no matter what size, could change even the largest city in ways residents couldn’t imagine.
I was thrilled that it might result in making the city more accessible for people with various needs.
The Northanger family had been an unexpected supporter of my work.
I recalled they had settled here in some way in the Colonial era.
Mason had been obsessed with a farm they owned just outside of town.
“This area is where researchers often work, but we’ve adjusted it to make sure participants can work on different projects,” Carrie said, continuing the tour, and led me into another room.
At the center were a number of open tables where people were working on laptops.
They were most likely editing text. Around the room, the pods had different equipment.
Some had scanners and others had light boxes for photography.
The theme of the edit-a-thon was about the fiber industry and there were artifacts already out as the archive staff helped people find what they needed.
“We just bought a set up for podcasts and videography. I hope someone will utilize it today,” Carrie said as we made our way around the floor.
“This is fantastic, but isn’t there going to be food?” I asked, my own experience planning this event creating a mental check list that I wanted to check off.
Carrie chuckled. “Lizbeth is upstairs in our event space waiting for it to arrive. I think most people will end up there through the day for workshops and editing tutorials.”
We took the elevator up to the floor and exited into a large open space full of tables, including one of snacks from earlier in the day.
“Lots of people want to have their weddings, bat mitzvahs, and other events here so the space is very flexible,” Carrie said as we walked to the table where Lizbeth sat with her laptop out.
I saw what Carrie meant. There were movable glass walls through the space. One room had already moved the walls around, and I saw a few people doing a presentation on basic editing techniques.
“Lunch will be here soon and people can eat up here,” Carrie said and pointed to an empty table next to the one filled with snacks.
I made my way over to Lizbeth, who smiled as she looked up. “Did you know the Northanger Family owns a farm outside of town?” she asked.
Carrie nodded. “It’s haunted.”
“It has its own entry on EncycloWiki,” Lizbeth added and turned her laptop for me to see.
I giggled since I had been thinking of this during Carrie’s tour.
Mason had created the entry before we met and had kept it accurate.
I looked up to see him walking around, busy making sure everyone had what they needed to work.
A wave of mixed emotions passed over me and I felt something catch in my chest. I left some things with Lizbeth and excused myself.
I found a bathroom and shut myself inside just as a tear fell.
I hadn’t realized it had been forming in the corner of my eye.
I was sad and angry to see the man Mason had become.
Sure, I hadn’t seen much of his current life, but he was so changed that I could tell he wasn’t in a good place.
He had picked this life over one with me and seemed to be miserable because of it.
He had made the wrong choice and now he had to live with the ramifications of that choice.
If that meant he would be denied tenure, then so be it.
I could easily fix it for him. I could get him hundreds of job offers from countless universities and organizations that I was connected to now.
I wouldn’t though, I reminded myself as I calmed down.
This was what he deserved for the mistake he made.
I noticed that Mason was staring at me from across the room when I returned.
I had been used to this when we had been together.
This was how he was so good at identifying people’s needs.
He watched everything, noting reactions and emotions.
Our eyes met and a wave of sadness passed through me.
I hated that it felt good to have him watching me again.
Moments before, I had been committed to my righteous anger and refusal to give him any kindness.
It had been so long since I knew I could trust someone to have my back.
That anger rose again as I chastised myself for caving.
He didn’t pick me, I had to remind myself. He picked everyone else.