Page 55 of Happy Harbor
She laughed. “You think way too far ahead. And why will this be your last prom? You’re only a junior.”
He looked down at his feet. “I’m graduating a year early.”
“What? Why have you never told me that?”
“People already think I’m a nerd because I make good grades.”
Kendra giggled. “People think you’re a nerd because you’re captain of the debate team and you keep announcing how many spelling bees you’ve won in your lifetime. Seriously, stop doing that.”
“You’re my best friend here. I think we’d have a good time. And remember, I’m a pretty good dancer,” he said, spinning around in Michael Jackson fashion. A group of cheerleaders laughed loudly as they passed, and Kendra felt herself wanting to chase after them.
“Yes.”
“Yes?”
“I will go with you.”
He beamed. “Thank you, Kendra.”
“You don’t have to thank me, Scotty. I’d be honored to go with you,” she said, louder than she needed to. For the first time in her life, somebody needed her. She wasn’t the outcast like at her old schools. Scotty was, and she was going to protect him from feeling like she had. He was a good guy, handsome and smart. She just needed to help him see that too.
* * *
“Dear Lord. This is a lot worse than I thought,” Diane said, staring up at the ceiling. The wind had somehow blown a large tree limb straight through the room, leaving a gaping hole and bringing with it a flood of water. The carpeted floors were soaked through to the subfloor, causing a hazard above the restaurant. It looked to Josie like the ceiling could cave in at any moment.
“The furniture is ruined,” Josie said, putting her hand on the back of the sofa. It was still sopping wet, and more rain was coming. They had to get a tarp over the roof, at the very least.
“This is going to be a big job,” Walker said. “I’ll need to hire some help. If I don’t, it’ll take me weeks to get this back to normal.”
“I’ll go call the insurance company,” Josie said, starting to walk away.
“I don’t think that’s going to help.” Her mother looked nervous.
“Why?”
“Momma didn’t tell her insurance company that she made this into an apartment. She was worried her rates would go up. I don’t think they’ll cover much except maybe the hole itself.”
“Do you have renter’s insurance to cover your stuff?”
“No,” she said, softly. “I didn’t think I needed it.”
Josie ran her hand across her face, trying not to say anything ugly. This was typical of her mother. She hadn’t prepared, and now she was in a mess.
“Maybe your mother could stay at the house for a while?” Walker suddenly interjected.
Josie looked at him with anger in her eyes. “What?”
“She needs a place to stay, Josie. Happy Harbor doesn’t have a lot of rentals, and she can’t live here while I’m working on the damage.”
Diane remained noticeably quiet.
“Fine. You can stay in one of the spare rooms until this gets fixed.”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
“I guess I’ll put your rent toward repairs,” Josie muttered before walking downstairs to the restaurant. Walker caught up with her while Diane trailed behind. “Take it easy on your mother,” he whispered.
“Excuse me?”
