Page 107 of Happy Harbor
“And why were you sleeping with your head on the counter just now?”
“I didn’t get much rest last night. I have a lot on my mind.”
Kendra sat down at the bar. “Like what?”
“My ex-boss offered me my job back. Well, actually, a much better job.”
Her eyes widened. “Please tell me we’re not going back. I can’t.”
Josie reached over and squeezed her hand. “No, we’re not going back.”
“Where’s Grandma this morning?”
Josie cleared her throat and looked out into the backyard, hoping to see any sign of Walker. “Um...”
“Mom, where’s Grandma?”
“I don’t know quite how to say this. Apparently, she was found stumbling around town, slurring her words yesterday. She’s in the hospital. Ethel is with her.”
“And you haven’t gone?”
Josie laughed under her breath. “Why would I go?”
“Because she’s yourmother?”
“She got drunk, Kendra. I’m not dealing with that in my life again.”
“How do you know she was drunk?”
“Honey, I know the signs. I grew up watching it.”
“How do you know she wasn’t having a stroke or something?”
“Because Ethel would’ve called me by now. Nobody wants to tell me that she relapsed because they know I’ll sell the restaurant and leave.”
“You said we wouldn’t leave.”
“I was planning on it last night, but I decided it wasn’t fair to you.”
“Where’s Walker?”
She sighed. “I don’t know. I might’ve said some not-so-nice things last night out of anger at my mother and exhaustion from the long ride.”
“Jeez, Mom, did you blow up your whole life while I was asleep?” she asked, standing up. “You need to go see Grandma, and then find Walker. Fix this.”
“I didn’t blow up anything, Kendra,” she said, dumping the rest of the coffee in the sink and washing the carafe.
Kendra walked up behind her and spun her around by her shoulders. She stared at her mother, almost nose to nose. “Listen up, Mom. This is a pivotal moment in your life.”
“Who are you? Dr. Phil?”
“Hilarious. I’m being serious. You’re about to make a big mess that you may not be able to clean up. I know you love Walker.”
“Love him? I barely know him!” She walked around Kendra and started wiping imaginary liquid off the kitchen counter.
“It doesn’t matter how long you’ve known someone. When you fall in love, you fall in love. I know I’m in love with Scotty.”
Josie turned around. “You’re too young to be in love. That’s puppy love.”
