11. Jess
Jess drove to the resort with Glory the next morning, both of them dressed up and excited for their job interviews.
“Just let me know as soon as you’re ready for me to pick you up,” Jess said nervously. “And just because they offer you a job, that doesn’t mean you have to take it.”
“How am I not going to take it?” Glory asked. “If I don’t work, I won’t have any spending money. Plus, I’m sure you need help with the groceries and all. It’s expensive here.”
“Glory,” Jess said helplessly, feeling awful that she had let Glory feel responsible to pay for groceries when she was still just a kid. “You don’t have to help out. I can manage.”
“I know,” Glory said. “One question though. How do I let you know I’m done if I don’t have my phone?”
“Can I trust you to use it only for phone calls?” Jess asked.
“Of course,” Glory said, rolling her eyes.
“Good,” Jess said. “Because I’m giving you my phone and I’m taking yours. I removed the social media apps, so don’t bother looking for them.”
“Good grief, Mom,” Glory groaned.
“Hey, we’re doing great,” Jess told her. “We’re going to keep this going a little longer. Passcode is the usual, 1893.”
“Anyone could figure that out, Mom,” Glory said. “And I can’t believe you use the house’s birthday instead of mine or Liberty’s or something.”
“Well, they won’t find anything interesting on there anyway, right?” Jess teased as she slid the phone out of her pocket and handed it over.
“You’re not, like, looking on my phone, right?” Glory asked.
“I’m not,” Jess assured her. “I’ll use it to take your call today and nothing else. But I do hope you’ll decide to tell me what was going on at some point. Not because I’m nosy or I want to tell you what to do. Just because I think you can use an ear.”
“I don’t need an ear, Mom,” Glory retorted.
“Doesn’t have to be my ear,” Jess said, shrugging. “But we usually feel better when we talk things over with someone we trust. At least I do.”
She felt like an idiot as soon as the words were out. She had trusted Silas with all her worries and insecurities for most of her life. And he had left her high and dry.
Jess suddenly felt like a deflating balloon.
“You’re doing great, Mom,” Glory told her quietly, reaching over to pat her knee. “You’ve got this.”
“I’m an open book, huh?” Jess joked weakly.
“I like knowing what you’re thinking,” Glory said. “Makes it easier to get what I want.”
Jess glanced over and saw that Glory was grinning at her. Joking.
“Oh wow,” Jess said as they turned onto the road to the resort.
Though it was a dirt and sand road, it was leveled nicely and lined with palm trees. Solar lampposts were set at intervals as well, and she could imagine how romantic it must look at night. The whole thing gave the impression of entering a laid-back fantasy world from a fancy magazine.
After a few minutes, they reached a big wooden lodge-type structure with a sign that said Welcome Center. Becca was waiting outside, wearing a white polo shirt with red lettering and a red skirt. She waved to them, and Jess pulled over.
“Hey,” Becca said, coming over to the window. “We’ll call when she’s done. But I just wanted to catch you for a sec.”
“Oh, okay,” Jess said.
“Listen, I’m sorry Clint was being weird yesterday,” Becca told her. “He missed you a lot when you left. We all did. He’s very protective of Mom, and she was kind of a mess after you went to your uncle.”
“Oh,” Jess said, feeling heartbroken at the thought that she and Mary had missed each other so much and neither of them ever had picked up the phone.
“That’s not your fault, obviously,” Becca said. “And Clint knows it. He’ll warm up in time. He went through a lot as a kid, before he came to us, and he won’t talk about most of it, even now. I think it makes it harder for him to let his guard down, that’s all. But he’ll get there.”
“Thanks, Becca,” Jess said. “For that and for last night, and for helping Glory get an interview today. I don’t know how to thank you.”
“Come by again tomorrow night for supper,” Becca said right away. “Anna and Liam can come this time.”
“I’d love to,” Jess said. “But that doesn’t count as returning the favor.”
“Ready, Glory?” Becca asked, bending further to catch the teen’s eye.
“Yes,” Glory said, sounding excited.
“Let’s go,” Becca said.
“See you later, Mom,” Glory said, hopping out.
Jess watched the two of them head off into the welcome center together, still not believing they were back in touch with the McKinnons, let alone that they had been brought right back into the fold like this. It almost felt like she’d never left.
Suddenly, Mary’s whispered words were in her head again.
What a marvelous world we live in when the people we love come back to us…
A shiver of happiness tingled down Jess’s spine, and instead of feeling nervous about her job interview, she felt a floating confidence about how everything in her life seemed to be coming together.
* * *
As it turned out,she was right to feel good about the flower shop interview.
Joanie had obviously intended to hire her from the get-go, and only really wanted to make sure Jess was comfortable with the hourly pay, which was modest but understandable given the size of the shop and how sleepy it was in the off-season.
Depending on how many hours she got, Jess figured it might be almost enough to keep herself and Glory in groceries for the summer without touching the money Silas had left, and that was a blessing. The longer they stretched those savings, the better.
And the opportunity to work at all when she hadn’t worked in decades felt like a true gift, especially when she would be surrounded by plants and flowers.
As soon as Jess confirmed with Joanie that she was fine with the pay, the whole thing turned into more of an orientation session than an interview. Joanie showed her the cases of pre-made bouquets, the arrangements, the stock in the back, the book for reservations, and even the stash of fertilizer in the little shed out back.
“That’s my secret recipe,” Joanie said, winking at Jess.
“Secret recipe?” Jess echoed.
“Growing flowers isn’t easy in Driftwood Key,” Joanie pointed out. “The soil is alkaline, and only the palm trees and mangroves really seem to thrive. But with my secret recipe, my flowers and plants have flourished. And as my first employee, you’re going to learn the secret too. When we need more, I’ll teach you how to make it, but you’ll have to keep the special ingredients to yourself.”
“Wow,” Jess said, impressed. “A trade secret.”
“Exactly,” Joanie said, tapping the side of her nose. “So, when can you start?”
They had decided Jess would start by shadowing Joanie the very next day.
On a whim, she paused by the cases before leaving, and selected a bouquet of bright pink daisies and baby’s breath. They were the least expensive flowers in the fridge, and the pretty pink color made Jess smile.
“I think I need to celebrate my new job,” she told Joanie, heading for the register. “And I can’t think of a better splurge than a pretty bouquet.”
“I agree,” Joanie said. “But this one’s on the house.”
“Oh, no,” Jess said, feeling awful. “I didn’t mean for you to give me flowers. I want to buy them.”
“Not this time, love,” Joanie laughed. “Besides, you’re a cheap date.”
“I love daisies,” Jess said, smiling. “Thank you so much. But next time, you have to let me pay.”
“That’s a deal,” Joanie said. “See you tomorrow.”
Jess headed outside to her car, soaking in the sunshine and warmth of the late morning.
The flower shop was on one of the four streets that formed a square around the town park. At the center of the green, a young man was throwing a ball for his little dog, who seemed to have boundless energy, while a girl sat on a bench reading a novel and pretending not to watch them.
Jess smiled at the sight of young love in the air. She let herself imagine grabbing a coffee and walking among the lush palm trees, just people-watching and soaking in the heat.
But if she was working tomorrow, she had to get home now and try and get a bit done before Glory called her for a ride. So, she hopped in her car instead, starting it up right away since it was hot as an oven.
But before she got going, Glory’s phone buzzed, and she slid it out of her pocket.
mom, I know we’re not supposed to text, but I just had to tell you this place is so cool!!!!
i’ll let you know when I’m done xxx
Jess smiled to herself, glad Glory was happy.
She put on the radio and sang along to the Beach Boys as she headed back to the house, feeling like she was ready to take on the world.