Page 13 of Happy Harbor
“Thanks for your advice,” she said, trying not to actually bite her tongue in half. “Where can I pick up my daughter?”
* * *
They rode home in silence. Josie didn’t know what else to say. Her daughter was coming off the rails, and she didn’t know how to fix it. She didn’t even know how to fix herself. Everything in her life had fallen apart, and she just wanted to curl up in the fetal position until it was over.
When she got home, she unlocked the door and Kendra went straight upstairs, obviously expecting her mother would explode and give her a big lecture. But right now, Josie just wanted to be alone to think about her life. Something had to change.
She poured herself a cup of coffee and went out to the back patio. She enjoyed sitting out there, listening to the birds and watching the neighbors’ crazy beagle run around the yard with a half-inflated soccer ball in his mouth.
Josie leaned back in her lounge chair, staring up at the blue sky. It had always amazed her that the sky could look so beautiful, yet the people below it were going through trials and tribulations all the time. Life was just a constant ebbing and flowing of happiness and sadness.
She closed her eyes and tried to think about happier times, but yet again her phone interrupted her relaxation. She was almost afraid to answer it, but given that her daughter was at home, there couldn’t be much that would upset her now. Maybe one of the places she’d interviewed at had changed their mind about hiring her.
“Hello?”
“I’m looking for Josie Campbell.” The man on the other end of the line sounded familiar. His voice was that of an older man, supremely Southern and almost apologetic.
“Who’s asking?”
“This is Joe Strand from Happy Harbor. I don’t know if you remember me, Josie. I’ve been your grandmother’s attorney for many years now. I think I saw you when you visited a few years back.”
That reminded her, she really did need to visit her nana soon.
“Oh, yes. I remember you. What can I do for you?”
There was a long pause. It was one of those quiet moments when you know in your soul that something is coming you will not like. “Well, Josie, I don’t rightly know how to tell you this, so I suppose it’s better if I just say it. Your grandmother passed away this morning.”
It felt like all the air in her lungs was stuck in her throat, squeezing the life out of her. Josie put her hand up to her neck as if she was trying to massage words out of her mouth.
“What?” It was the only thing she could manage. Of course, she knew exactly what he’d said. She just didn’t want to believe it.
“Honey, I’m so sorry. Adeline was the best woman I’ve ever known. She did so much for the people of this community, and she went through so many hardships. We surely didn’t expect to lose her this soon.”
Josie didn’t expect it either. Her grandmother was in her late seventies, but she was youthful and spry. She always had more energy than Josie did. Not only did she run a restaurant on the harbor, but she also owned one of the most beautiful historic homes in the area and often gave tours through the historical society. She belonged to the garden club, hosted a book club, and was super involved in her church. Nana had always seemed immortal.
How could Josie have waited so long to go home for a visit?
“I just can’t believe this. I spoke to her last week, and I was going to call her tomorrow.”
“I’m so sorry.” He paused. “I know this is a shock. But I am going to need you to come into town for the reading of the will. Your grandmother has left you some things, and she asked that I tell you in person.”
“When did she ask you that?”
“Well, we did some work on her will about a year ago. You see, your grandmother passed away from advanced heart failure. She didn’t want anybody to know she was sick.”
Josie was devastated. She couldn’t believe her grandmother didn’t tell her, but that was the way she was. She never wanted to be a burden on anyone.
“And you can’t tell me what she left me?” Long ago, Nana had explained her house would go to the historical society upon her passing. They’d never really discussed her restaurant, but Josie assumed it would be sold off since Nana had no other family, really. “I’m sure it’s just her Bible and maybe some jewelry?”
“I wish I could tell you more, but I’m really going to need you to come here. Do you think you could come next week?”
Josie knew she had to go. But a part of her still didn’t want to ever step foot in Happy Harbor again. She had wonderful memories of Nana, but then there was her mother and all that surrounded her. Of course, she knew her mother wasn’t there. She hadn’t heard from her in many years. But the memories were there, and they were strong and fresh, like they happened yesterday.
“We really need to get things squared away,” Joe was saying. “Plus, I’m sure you’ll be coming for your grandmother’s service?”
Her service. Her funeral. She hadn’t even considered that part.
“Yes. I guess I need to handle her service?”
