A large yellow excavator was parked near the water, its massive bucket resting on the ground.

The Mayor’s representative handed me a polished silver shovel.

“Would you do the honors, Ms. Bennett?” he asked.

I took the shovel in my gloved hands.

The metal was cold, but it felt solid and heavy.

I stepped to the edge of the dirt plot where the new foundation would be poured.

Julian stood beside me, his own shovel in hand.

The cameras clicked rapidly as we drove the blades into the earth.

We tossed the first dirt into the air together.

The crowd cheered.

The construction workers began to sound their horns in celebration.

The project was officially underway.

I looked down at the dark earth, then out at the vast expanse of Lake Michigan.

This was my work.

My name was on the plans.

After the ceremony, we retreated to the warmth of the terminal building lobby.

Waiters were passing around hot cider and small pastries to the guests.

Julian walked over to me, holding two glasses of sparkling water.

He handed me one of the glasses.