Page 66 of Happy Harbor
Josie and Diane turned around and looked at her while Kendra poked her head over the top of the changing room door.
“What’s your problem?” Josie asked.
“Your grandmother told me a secret in confidence, and she told me to never tell either of you. But I can see now that she wouldn’t wantthiseither.”
“What secret?” Diane asked.
“She took out a terrible loan that had to be paid back over six months, but she didn’t give the money to your mother, Josie. Your mom knew nothing about it.”
“But you acted like it had something to do with my mother when we talked at Joe’s office.”
Ethel sighed. “Because it did. She just didn’t ask for it and didn’t know about it.”
“Please stop talking in riddles, Ethel,” Josie said, running her hand across her forehead.
“The money was for Dan.”
Josie felt like the air had been sucked from her lungs. Dan? Her mother’s long-gone ex-boyfriend, the mean, abusive drunk?
“Dan? What are you talking about? My mother hated that man. You know that,” Diane said.
“She did. He was probably the only person on the planet that she actually did hate.”
“Then why would she give him so much money?” Josie asked.
By this time, Kendra had rejoined them. The saleswoman gave up and went to the back, probably to hide until they all left.
“Because Dan came back for you, Diane. He claimed to be sober, but Adeline didn’t care. She knew he’d drag you right back down again, and she wouldn’t risk it. He told her he’d leave you alone forever if she paid him off, so she borrowed the money he asked for.”
Diane and Josie stood there with their mouths hanging open. Even Kendra didn’t speak a word.
“I don’t believe this,” Diane said softly. “I would’ve never gone back to Dan. He’s a horrible person, clean or sober. Why didn’t she just talk to me instead of putting herself in that position?”
Ethel shrugged. “You know she wasn’t herself in the last few months.”
“Where was I during all of this?”
“You just happened to be away with your church group.”
Josie stared off into space. What was she supposed to say now? Her mother had done nothing wrong, yet she’d blamed her. Now she looked like a real jerk. “I can’t believe this...” she stammered.
“The reason she asked you to take over the business is because she believed you were the only one who could save it, Josie. She knew she’d made a mistake giving that awful man so much money, but she thought you might be able to fix it and your relationship with your mother at the same time.”
Diane stood there, not speaking. She looked shell-shocked.
“I’m sorry I accused you,” Josie whispered. Apologizing wasn’t her strongest skill, but she was trying.
“Here’s my granddaughter,” Ethel said as a girl emerged from a dressing room where she’d no doubt been hiding. “Looks like she’s found her dress. I’ll see y’all later,” Ethel said, quickly leaving the trio.
“Are you okay, Grandma?”
Diane nodded as she put her hand up to her throat. “I just need to get out of here.”
* * *
Diane could feel her feet moving faster than they ever had. Was she running? She didn’t run normally. Maybe it was more like fast walking. She had joined one of those mall walker clubs a couple of years ago in an effort to get her aging body into some shape other than a circle. It didn’t last. Not only was the mall too far of a drive, but Cinnabon was too appealing.
“Wait up!”
