Read Crusader for Free Online Page B

that
autumn
doesn't rhyme with
mall,
but
fall
does."
    "I don't care if it rhymes. It stinks."
    "You're entitled to your opinion, Mr. Lombardo. It happens to be the same slogan the Gold Coast Mall used last year, and I don't recall that they had any lawsuits."
    "No. They didn't have loose tiles piled up in their walkway, either, I'll bet."
    "Mr. Lombardo, we are fixing the floor. We are making capital improvements to the rotunda. Do you understand that? We're restoring its beautiful fountain. People are going to remember that fountain, and they're going to want to come back to the West End Mall to enjoy another look at it."
    Mr. Lombardo looked at Sam. He said, "Great. Maybe they'll throw some pennies in it, and we can divvy them up."
    Sam stood up. "Sorry. I don't have time for this today. I have a business to run." He said to Suzie, "I vote in favor of the fountain. Does it take a simple majority to approve this?"
    "It does."
    "Then it's approved. Let's go for it." Sam exited as quickly as he had entered.
    Mr. Lombardo stood up. "I haven't approved anything!"
    Suzie offered, "If you wish to vote against the fountain, your vote will be duly noted."
    "Yeah. I vote against the fountain, and I vote against that slogan, too. And that Arab boy isn't the only one who has a business to run around here. I've been running a business in this mall since he was in diapers. If those people even use diapers." Mr. Lombardo started to stalk out, but he suddenly stopped and looked over at me. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a folded newsletter, and pointed it at me. "Oh yeah, and I remember this turtle thing, too, little girl. Mr. Lyons wants to be a senator? I wouldn't vote for him for dogcatcher." He stomped out.
    Suzie waited until she was sure he wasn't coming back before she smiled at us and said, "It's official. The fountain is approved."
    Dad went up to Suzie and gave her a big hug and kiss. I moved back up to the desk. Suzie disengaged from Dad and said to me, nearly in tears, "Do you see why I get so upset about little things? There are some real nasty people around here." She picked up the newsletter, came around the desk, and playfully banged me on the head. "Listen, Roberta, Mr. Lyons himself wants to be the feature in October's newsletter, right before the election. Do you think you can write a little something about him?"
    I nodded nervously.
    "Without putting anything about dead turtles in it?"
    I laughed, although I wished I hadn't. I said, "Yes. I can do that. What should I write?"
    Suzie put her arm around Dad. "Explain what a recapitalization is, very simply, for people like Mr. Lombardo. Explain that the bank has to reapprove the mall's loan every five years. It's important that the merchants here get a personal statement from Mr. Lyons so they know he's behind them and the recap. We need something to buck up the troops here! This place is so depressed, my god!"
    Dad sympathized. "Yeah. That old Lombardo's a fun guy."
    Suzie answered, "Sam can be just as bad, in his own way. He sends in these Arabs, with pushcarts, to talk to me about renting mallway space. I have to tell them no. That's only going to scare away our remaining white customers. What we need are upscale businesses—boutiques, salons, bistros. I'm not turning this place into some Arab bizarre."
    I corrected her. "It's bazaar."
    "What?"
    "B-A-Z-A-A-R. It's not 'biz,' it's 'baz.'"
    Suzie snapped at me, "Roberta! What on earth are you talking about?"
    Dad said, "Honey, I think Suzie needs a little quiet time."
    "Oh. Okay." I exited the office. By the time I passed by the window, Dad was already kissing Suzie again.

    All the stores were open now, but the mallway was practically empty. Karl was alone in the arcade, standing behind the counter. I went around to get my name tag and was surprised to hear him ask, "So how's it going, cuz?"
    I looked at his eyes. Karl seemed in focus and very relaxed. This happens sometimes when his medication is just right.