Page 58 of Happy Harbor
“We have to get you a dress, then!”
“This girl at school told me about the best dress place in town. She said they’re super reasonable.”
Josie put her hands on Kendra’s shoulders. “I’m so happy for you, honey. I’m glad you’re enjoying school.”
Kendra sat down on one of the bar stools. “I am enjoying it. It’s so different from the huge schools I’ve been to. I actually like my classes, especially math. Isn’t that crazy?”
“I’m proud of you. I really am.”
“What are you doing?” Kendra asked, looking at the papers spread out over the counter.
“Well, I’m looking over Nana’s books. I’m trying to figure out how to pay for these repairs, but I can’t make these numbers make sense.”
Kendra reached for the binder that was on the counter and opened it. “Which numbers don’t make sense?”
“The last few months. I can’t balance them.”
Kendra reached for her cell phone and opened the calculator. She furiously typed in numbers, and Josie was impressed. She had no idea her daughter was so gifted in math. “You’re right. This number and that number should match. Money is missing, but from where?”
“I don’t know. Nana was never great with numbers, but I think something else is going on here.”
Kendra put the binder back on the counter. “Where’s Grandma?”
Josie cleared her throat. “She’s getting settled into her room. Listen, Kendra, I don’t want you getting too attached to my mother. She can be a bit... unpredictable.”
“Mom, people change. I think Grandma is really different now.”
Josie chuckled. “People don’t change. How many times have I told you that? When they show you who they are one time, you should never forget that.”
Kendra reached over and took a muffin from the container, pulling off a piece and putting it into her mouth. “You’re so cynical. Don’t you ever get tired of that?”
Her daughter sounded so grown up in that moment. “I do get tired, but I’ve been burned so many times in my life. I won’t let it happen again.”
Kendra stood up and kissed her mom on the cheek. “I hope you find the kind of life where you don’t have to think everyone is out to get you, Mom. You deserve that.”
Josie fought back tears. “Thank you, honey. Where are you going?”
She held up her backpack. “Homework.”
“Wow. You actually do your homework now?”
Kendra smiled. “I know, right?”
As she walked up the stairs, Josie was left with her thoughts. Maybe her daughter was right. Maybe there was hope that she could relax one day and not always be on the defensive. It was an exhausting way to live, but it was the only way she knew. She’d grown comfortable in her discomfort.
“Hey.” She turned to see her mother standing in the doorway. “Mind if I come in?”
“It’s the kitchen, not my bedroom. Anyone can come in here. Speaking of, how did you get in this morning?”
“I have a key,” Diane said, pulling it from her pocket. “Sorry for intruding like that. I wasn’t quite in my right mind after such a long night.” She sat down on the same stool Kendra had just left.
“It’s fine. Do you want something to drink?”
Diane smiled slightly. “Sure. Got any sweet tea?” she asked, as she reached for a muffin too. They certainly were popular.
“Of course.” Josie poured them both a glass and then slid one over to Diane.
“These muffins are good, but not nearly as good as Momma’s. I remember when she used fresh blueberries from her garden in them. They were the best muffins I’ve ever had.”
