Page 96 of Happy Harbor
Kendra giggled. “News travels fast.”
“Well, Iamher only friend.”
“We all know you’re not just friends.”
“And how would you feel about that? If that were the case?”
She looked up at him and smiled. “I just want my mom to be happy. And I think you make her happy.”
“Do you?”
“I do. But if you ever break her heart, I will hurt you.”
He held up his hands. “I believe you, I believe you. I would never hurt your mom. She was a tough nut to crack when she first got here, but I knew there was somebody special under all of that pain.”
“Her childhood really did a number on her.”
“So, why do you seem so sad? Do you not want to graduate early?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “I don't know. I can’t stay in high school forever, but I just got here. I’m not sure I want to take off to college so quickly. I know it sounds stupid. Most kids would kill to get out of school and go off to college, but I like it here.”
“Do you want to talk it through a bit?”
“Sure.”
“In my opinion, you have options. You can stay in high school. You can take a year off and just spend some time figuring out what you want to do next. You can go to the community college, still live at home, and take some credits there. Or you can take off on some grand adventure at college in another city or state.”
“So what should I do?” she asked, laughing.
“Which one of those options didn’t make your stomach twist into a knot?”
She thought for a moment. “Community college.”
“Why?”
“I think taking a year off will only keep me from ever going back to school. I don’t do well with long breaks. I don’t like feeling like I’m not making progress. And going off to college just seems too big right now. I just moved here, and that would be another major move. Staying in high school if I don’t have to—especially without Scotty—sounds horrible.”
“So you think you want to go to community college for the first year?”
She nodded. “I do. But it feels like I’m letting my mother down.”
He furrowed his eyebrows. “Letting her down? Why would you think that?”
“Because she just found out I’m close to being a genius, and I’m choosing to go to community college instead of some big-deal university.”
He chuckled. “Going to community college doesn’t mean you’re not smart. It means that you’re getting your credits completed while you get to stay in a place you love. That seems pretty smart to me. Plus, community college is just as challenging as any other college. Some fancy name on the sign doesn’t mean a thing.”
“Thanks. I really needed to talk to somebody who doesn’t have a vested interest in my future. Scotty wants me to go with him to college, and I want to be with him. But I just don’t think I’m ready yet. I want to put down some roots in Happy Harbor first.”
“Do what’s right for you. I know you like Scotty a lot, but if it’s the right thing, then nothing will separate you. Those miles won’t matter.”
“What will you do if my mother moves back to Atlanta?”
He paused for a moment, then smiled. “Maybe I’d go see Atlanta then.”
* * *
Josie drove down a long stretch of interstate, wishing she could turn around and go back to Happy Harbor. Heading to Atlanta was not something she expected to be doing so soon, but she couldn’t leave Melody in the lurch. She had promised to come to her bridal shower, and she was going to do it.
