“Maybe. Or maybe that young man is fighting battles you can’t see from here.”
Before I can tell Rosa she’s wrong about Declan, my phone buzzes with an incoming call.
“Maya, where are you?” Lianne’s voice carries an urgency that makes my pulse quicken.
“Highland. Saying goodbye before the demolition crew arrives. Why?”
“Because Channel 7 just reported that Pierce Enterprises’ demolition has been indefinitely postponed. Something about ‘new development complications’ and ‘alternative acquisition arrangements.’ Maya, what if Declan found a way to save Highland?”
The possibility hits like cold water. For three weeks, I’ve been operating under the assumption that Highland’s demolition was inevitable, that even my attempt at setting up the land trust was simply a case of too little, too late.
“Lianne, Pierce Enterprises doesn’t change their minds about multimillion-dollar development projects based on last-minute guilt or romantic gestures.”
“Maybe they do when their CEO makes them an offer they can’t refuse. The kind where he buys Highland himself.”
I stare at my phone, trying to process what Lianne just said. “How do you know that?”
“Because Tita Sol’s niece works in Pierce Enterprises’ accounting department, and she just texted that paperwork came through this morning for Highland’s sale to something called theNavarro Community Trust. Maya, Declan bought Highland. He actually bought it.”
I stare at Rosa, unable to move, barely able to process what I’m hearing.
Declan bought Highland?
Not Pierce Enterprises, not some corporate entity looking for tax write-offs, but Declan Pierce personally purchased the building that was supposed to be demolished this morning?
“Maya?” Lianne’s voice seems to come from very far away. “Are you there?”
“I’m here. I just—I need to understand what this means.”
“It means Highland is safe. Permanently safe.”
Highland is safe. The words should fill me with joy, relief, the kind of celebration that comes with winning impossible battles. Instead, I feel something closer to shock mixed with an emotion I can’t name.
For three weeks, I’ve been building Highland’s future around the assumption that this building was lost forever. I’ve created new partnerships, established alternative programs, proven that Highland’s community could thrive anywhere.
And now Declan has unilaterally decided that Highland’s building should be preserved after all.
“Maya, anak, what’s wrong?” Rosa asks, noting my expression. “This is good news, yes? Highland is saved.”
“Highland was already saved. The programs are running successfully in four different locations, the community is more connected than ever, and we’ve proven that Highland’s valueisn’t dependent on this specific building.” I’m pacing now, energy coursing through me that feels like anger mixed with something I don’t want to examine too closely. “We didn’t need rescuing.”
“But if Highland can come home?—”
“Highland is home wherever the community gathers. We learned that over the past three weeks.” I stop pacing and stare at Rosa. “Rosa, what if I don’t want Highland to be saved by Declan Pierce’s checkbook? What if I want Highland to succeed because of community strength, not corporate charity?”
Rosa studies my expression with the kind of maternal insight that sees through defensive reactions to the hurt underneath. “What if Highland being saved isn’t about you or Declan, but about giving the community choices they didn’t have before?”
Before I can respond, Highland’s front door opens and Carlo walks in, carrying his laptop and wearing the kind of excited expression that means he has important news to share.
“Maya! Did you hear about Highland?”
“I heard that Declan bought Highland. What I don’t understand is why.”
Carlo opens his laptop and pulls up what appears to be a news article. “It’s all over the news. Look at this headline.”
He turns the laptop toward me, and I find myself reading a LA Times article with the headline: “Tech Billionaire Saves Community Center from Demolition.”
Tech billionaire. The phrase stops me cold. I scan the article, noting details about Declan’s personal wealth from his early social media investments, his decision to purchase Highlandindependently from Pierce Enterprises, his resignation as CEO to pursue “community-focused development.”
