Winta’s Perfect Pair – Chapter 17

The next morning is bright and crisp, and I arrive early, ready to hear the fate of the Book Club. Navigating the now bare space is like walking through a hollow shell of my former home. The empty bookshelves, the darkened lights, the wind slipping through the boarded-up windows… The loss hits me again, as bitter as the stormy night it was taken away.

What a shame. An absolute shame. I stand and wring my hands as I look over this place, this institution, a well-loved gathering spot for young and old alike. Now, it’s nothing but a damaged set of rooms and packed boxes.

A soft trill from the doorway has me glancing over to find Itsuko watching me. She’s become just as much my companion as Daichi’s, always looking out for me. She pads over and butts her head against my shin in a wordless gesture of comfort. I release my hands from each other and stretch my fingers out.

“Hey there, little troublemaker.” I crouch down to give her head an affectionate scratch. “I bet you’re going to miss wreaking havoc around this place, aren’t you?”

Itsuko blinks up at me, unruffled as always. I shake my head and chuckle, rising back to my feet at the sound of approaching voices. It looks like the others have arrived as well, right on schedule.

Gia offers a smile and a wave as she, Yuriko, Raj, and Haru file into the empty club. They look just as tired and worn out as I feel. The stress of the past few weeks has been tough on them, just like it has been on me.

“Mornin’, boss,” Gia greets me. “Is today the day?”

I nod, not trusting my voice as a fresh wave of sadness and apprehension grips me. The others sense my tension and exchange knowing looks. This is it — the moment of truth we’ve been both expecting and dreading for the last few weeks.

The whirr of a bike gliding up to the club’s front walk draws our gazes to the door.

Maho is here.

She moves with her usual regal poise, dark eyes sweeping across the ruined club with an inscrutable expression as she rests her bike against the outer wall and approaches.

“Morning, everyone,” Maho greets us with a polite dip of her head, coming to a halt before our ragged little cluster. “I’m glad you could all be here so early. I know these past few weeks of cleanup and recovery efforts haven’t been easy on any of you.”

Her gaze lands on me with a look I can’t quite decipher. “Winta, might I have a word with you for a moment before we proceed?”

Uh oh. I have a feeling I know what’s coming, and my Psychic Belly does, too. It somersaults like I’ve been stuck on a roller coaster for days.

The others seem to sense the significance as well. Gia gives my arm a reassuring squeeze as she and the rest of the staff retreat to give Maho and me some space, leaving just the two of us — and Itsuko, ever my little shadow — standing amidst the rubble.

For a long moment, the only sound is the faint whisper of the breeze through the exposed beams overhead. The weather has turned colder over the last few weeks, autumn painting the tree leaves in town and the surrounding mountains into a fiery tapestry of red, orange, and gold.

Maho regards me with that same indecipherable expression. “I’m not going to mince words here, Winta,” she begins, tone gentle yet weary. “The insurance payout from the storm damage, while not insubstantial, will not be enough to cover a full rebuild and restoration of the Book Club’s facilities. Not by a long shot.”

The words are a blow, sending my heart plummeting. I knew, deep down, this was likely the outcome we were facing.

“I’ve been crunching the numbers every which way, exploring every avenue for securing additional funding or financing over the past few weeks. But the hard truth is, there’s no realistic financial path forward for restoring the club, at least not any time soon. And I’m getting older,” she says, sighing. “I’m ready for retirement.”

She shakes her head, mouth set in a grim line. “Which means my only viable option now is to sell the property and whatever can be salvaged from the wreckage. I’m afraid the Book Club is finished.”

I can’t breathe, can’t think. This was my worst fear, the outcome I’ve been fighting against with every ounce of stubborn determination I could muster.

And yet, here we are. Despite all my efforts, the long hours and endless labor… I’ve failed to save the Book Club’s legacy, after all.

“Winta?” Maho’s voice pierces through the roaring in my ears. “Are you all right, my dear?”

Am I all right? Am I all right?!

How could I possibly be all right after this? I open my mouth, but no words come out.

Until Itsuko lets out another soft trill from where she’s seated at my feet, drawing my eyes down to hers. There’s no pity or judgment in her stare, only that same understanding and empathy she’s always regarded me with.

And it’s a lifeline tossed to a drowning woman. A reminder that no matter how the loss or how devastating the circumstances, I’m not alone. I have people — friends, family, loved ones — who will help shoulder this burden and guide me through to whatever awaits on the other side. I squat down, and for the first time, Itsuko jumps into my arms. She rubs her forehead under my chin before laying her head on my shoulder and wrapping her fluffy tail around me.

I hold back tears. She’s trying to comfort me the way Daichi would. Sweet, sweet fox.

With a heavy sigh, I clutch her to me and find my voice again.

“I understand,” I say, the words like shards of glass on my tongue. “Truly, I do. We did our best, but sometimes… some things just aren’t meant to be saved, no matter how badly we might want them to be.”

Maho’s expression softens with something like relieved gratitude. I kiss the top of Itsuko’s head and squeeze her once more before letting her back down to the floor and putting on a brave smile.

“So, what’s next?” I ask, a bit of strength returning to my voice. “What do we need to do now with the property and the club’s assets?”

Because even if we can’t resurrect the Book Club itself, I’ll be damned if I don’t do everything in my power to preserve the last of it, however I can.

“You’re certain you’re ready to have this conversation?” she asks, giving me one last out. “I don’t want to cause you anymore undue stress, my dear.”

I glance down at Itsuko again. Her warm presence against my leg is like a charm, keeping my grief and uncertainty at bay.

“I’m ready,” I say with a small nod. “Let’s figure out what our next steps need to be.”

Maho waves everyone over, and Gia, Yuriko, Raj, and Haru join us, their expressions a mixture of apprehension and resignation.

“I’ve just finished informing Winta of the unfortunate reality we’re facing,” Maho begins, addressing the group in that same gentle yet unyielding tone. “The insurance payout, while generous, isn’t enough to cover rebuilding costs. And at my age, taking out additional loans or financing would be ill-advised.”

The words hang heavy in the air. Gia’s shoulders slump as the news sinks in. Raj and Haru exchange a saddened look.

“Which means…” Maho continues, mouth set in a grim line. “I’ll have to put the property up for sale, along with whatever remaining assets can be liquidated from the club’s inventory and archives.”

Despite knowing this was likely the inevitable outcome, the words hit me hard again, seeing everyone else take in the decision. Gia and Yuriko sigh. Raj and Haru glance away, jaws clenched.

My heart aches for them. For the loss. For every person who has poured their passion and dedication into the Book Club over the years. This place was an institution, and now… it’s going to be stripped away, piece by piece, until nothing remains.

I have to swallow hard against the burning swell of emotion threatening to overwhelm me again.

“So, what happens next?” Raj asks. “I mean, do we just… shutter the place and move on? Or is there a way to — I don’t know — preserve some part of the club’s legacy before it’s gone for good?”

Hmmm. Preservation. The question rekindles the same stubborn spark of determination that’s kept me going these past few weeks. Is there a way to salvage some of this?

“Well…” Gia says, wheels turning behind that sharp gaze. “If we can’t keep the club itself going, maybe we could ensure its spirit lives on in some small way?”

She taps her chin as she mulls over whatever is going through her head.

“What if we held some kind of farewell event?” Gia continues, voice picking up confidence with each word. “You know, a final community gathering where we sell off the club’s remaining book collection and assets? We could donate the proceeds after paying off any outstanding debts to other local organizations dedicated to facilitating pairing. A sort of… passing the torch, so to speak.”

A hushed silence falls over the group as we digest her proposal. Selling off the books, the records, the archives — it feels wrong, almost sinful.

But Gia’s idea represents a chance to celebrate the Book Club’s legacy one last time while ensuring at least some part of our heritage lives on through supporting similar organizations around the city. It’s not the perfect solution, not by any means.

But it’s something.

Something is better than nothing.

“I like this idea, Gia,” I say, putting on a brave smile. “A book sale fundraiser to pay off any outstanding debts or last paychecks, with the rest being donated to keep the Book Club’s spirit alive through other groups? It’s a nice way to honor everything this place stood for. What do you think, Maho?”

She regards us with a lifted chin and a soft smile.

“It’s the best idea I’ve heard in weeks,” she declares. “We have our next steps to move forward — one last going out of business sale before we all go our separate ways.”

Her dark eyes hold mine for a moment before turning to everyone else. “Thank you all for never giving up on this place until the very last moment. It’s been an honor to know you.”

Yuriko has tears in her eyes, but Raj waves his hand. “We’re not going anywhere.”

“He’s right.” I nod my head and place a hand on Maho’s shoulder. “This is not the end. It’s just a new path.”

And who knows where that will go.