Page 75 of Happy Harbor
“I know, but I was talking to Scotty, and he’s going to college in Charleston. We looked at the website together, and it looks kind of cool. I talked to my guidance counselor, and if I really buckle down during my senior year, I could possibly get scholarships.”
Josie felt so much pride in that moment. Her daughter had made such a dramatic turnaround in the last couple of weeks that she hardly recognized her. She was happy at school and was going to prom, which were two things she never imagined for Kendra.
“I’m proud of you, Kendra,” Josie said, her eyes welling with tears.
“Oh my gosh, Mom, don’t start crying! I just did my makeup!”
“Sorry, sorry. I’m just a little overwhelmed,” she said, wiping a stray tear away.
Josie looked over at her mother, who was also tearing up. “I’m just so glad I’m here to see it. There were a lot of years I never could’ve dreamed that I’d be standing here at a moment like this.”
“Grandma, don’t you start! I swear, if y’all mess up my makeup...” Kendra rushed off to the bathroom to check her face.
“We have to stop. She’s going to kill us,” Josie said, laughing.
“I know. I’m going to pull it together. She just looks so beautiful.”
Thankfully, the scene was interrupted by somebody knocking at the front door. Josie walked over to open it and found what could only be described as a tall, handsome young man standing there holding flowers in one hand and wearing a black tuxedo.
“You must be Scotty,” Josie said, reaching her hand out to shake his. He looked nervous. Of course, any young man about to take a beautiful girl to the prom would probably be nervous. And she remembered what Kendra told her about Scotty sometimes having trouble in social situations.
“Yes, ma’am. It’s nice to meet you. Kendra has told me a lot about you.”
Josie laughed. “I’m sure not all of it was good.”
He looked at her, confusion on his face. “No, ma’am, all of it was good.”
Josie’s heart warmed. Kendra had been saying good things about her? Every day it seemed more and more like Happy Harbor had some special magic in the air that had changed her daughter, and it would hopefully change her as well.
“Hey there, I’m Kendra’s grandmother.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you too.”
“I’m afraid to ask,” Diane said, laughing.
“Kendra has been nothing but complimentary about you too. She’s very proud of her family.”
“Thank you. Come on in. It’s pretty hot out there.”
Scotty followed them into the foyer. A moment later, Kendra opened the bathroom door and walked out, her high heels clicking against the hardwood floors. She looked up and smiled when she saw Scotty.
“Wow! You look beautiful, Kendra,” he said, putting his hand over his mouth. He walked over and placed a corsage on her wrist.
“Thanks. You look pretty handsome yourself,” she said, trying to stifle her smile. She pinned a boutonniere on his lapel. Josie could tell she was embarrassed to be in front of them.
“What time will you be bringing her home?”
“Mom! It’s not the fifties.” Kendra rolled her eyes.
“Kendra, you shouldn’t talk to your mom that way. She’s just worried about your safety. Miss Campbell, I will have her home no later than midnight, if that’s okay with you.”
Josie nodded. “You can call me Josie, and midnight works just fine.”
“If it's all the same to you, my mom taught me to be respectful, so I’d like to call you Miss Campbell.”
Josie smiled. “You do what you’re comfortable with, Scotty. Now, y’all go have fun. But not too much fun!” she called as they hurried out the front door. She watched them climb into Scotty’s red truck on the street outside and waved as they disappeared.
“Oh shoot! We didn’t get any pictures,” Diane said, pulling her cell phone out of her pocket.
