Page 65 of Happy Harbor
Once Kendra went back into the dressing room, Diane looked over at her daughter again.
“Can you just trust me enough to tell me what’s going on?”
Josie had had enough. She stood up, turned around, and looked at her mother. “Don’t act like you don’t know what’s going on!”
“I don’t know what’s going on. That’s why I want you to tell me!”
“Is everything okay over here, ladies?” the saleswoman asked, whispering and trying to get them to lower their voices. Although there were no other customers in the store, it felt a bit like a library. Like they should keep their voices down. Why did people keep their voices so quiet in the library? It wasn’t like the books were sleeping.
“Everything is fine,” Josie said.
“Just spit it out. Tell me what it is.”
“Maybe this isn’t the right place for y’all to be talking about personal issues,” Ethel interjected. The saleswoman slowly backed away and went over to the checkout counter.
“I’ve been saying that the whole time, but this woman won’t stop.”
“Because you’re my daughter, and I’m trying my very best to forge a relationship with you. We were making headway just yesterday, and now suddenly you’re mad at me for some invisible thing that I did!”
“Maybe just talk about this later...” Ethel murmured.
“You know what? It’s fine. You already know what’s going on, Ethel. I might as well just tell my dear mother here why I’m so angry at her.”
Ethel covered her face with her hands. It was obvious she would’ve rather been anywhere else.
“So say it!” By this time, Diane was standing up, facing her daughter. It felt like at any moment they might just start wrestling on the floor.
“I know Nana took out a loan and gave you a bunch of money. And now the loan is behind several months and they’re going to take the restaurant!”
Josie looked over for a split second and noticed the saleswoman sitting behind the counter with her eyes wide. Juicy gossip in a small town was always appreciated.
“What on earth are you talking about?”
“Don’t play dumb, Diane. You know all about that money.”
“No, I actually don’t.”
“Tell her,” she said, turning to Ethel.
“I told you that in confidence, Josie,” Ethel said, softly. Her face was all shades of red.
“What’s going on out here?” Kendra asked, reappearing from the changing room. She was wearing the blue gown, which looked perfect on her, but the moment was ruined, just like so many moments in Josie’s life. Her mother was the root of all problems.
“Your mother is accusing me of something I didn’t do, as per usual,” Diane said, rolling her eyes.
“Can y’all please not do this right now?” Kendra asked through gritted teeth.
“I tried, trust me. Diane over here wouldn’t leave it alone.”
“Ugh!” Kendra said, turning and walking back into the fitting room.
“I know nothing about a loan, and I certainly didn’t take money from my mother!”
“You’re such a liar!” Josie said back, a little too loudly.
“Please shut up! Y’all are so embarrassing!” Kendra shouted from the changing room.
Suddenly, Ethel stood up. “Stop it! All of you!”
