Chapter 15 Junie
Junie
Junie walks up the slope of the quiet road, weaving a little, with Georgia at her side. Georgia tucks Junie under her arm,
and her little sister rests into her. Both of them are giggly like preteens planning a surprise party. “We’re going to get
this all figured out,” Georgia says.
Georgia’s hair catches the light from the setting sun in a remarkable sheen. “Did you get a gloss put on at the salon, Peach?”
Junie asks.
Georgia stops like she’s thinking back. “Oh. Yeah, I did, actually. Feels like a long time ago. When I’m home everything else
melts away.”
“Dang, you just have to outshine us in every way.” Junie gives Georgia a wink to make it clear she’s joking.
Junie smiles to herself as she looks out and up the road.
The nighttime bugs are awake and chirping in a chorus, and the odd lightning bug flashes in the grass behind picketed yards.
Small historic homes line this thoroughfare, and they are solidly built and well-kept.
If Whitetail were the sort of place to have a postcard printed in its honor, this would be the photo of choice, the warm light surrounding and highlighting the town’s best feature.
In this moment, it feels like all the real ugliness of the world is suspended.
“I believe it,” Junie says. She always believes Georgia—by default.
“So, Cards,” Georgia says. “There’s a schedule?”
Junie smirks. “What do you think we are? Barbarians?”
Georgia gives Junie a playful whack on the arm.
“Hey!” Junie grabs her arm and inspects the spot. “Good thing I have a doctor’s appointment Monday. I can get it looked at.”
Georgia scoffs playfully. “Hopefully they’ve got a surgical center on-site.”
“You know me, only cutting-edge care will do.” Junie waggles her brows.
“What’re you going in for?” Georgia asks.
Junie tucks herself back into Georgia’s side. “Just a checkup,” she lies.
“I want to get going on the list of money-making ideas as soon as possible,” Georgia says. “Time is of the essence here. So
maybe we start planning Cards tomorrow?”
“What do you mean planning Cards?” Junie asks.
“The event. Surely it has to be arranged.”
“There aren’t any centerpieces, and there isn’t a menu to speak of,” Junie replies. “Frankly, calling it an ‘event’ at all
makes it sound too formal.”
Georgia tuts playfully. “Fine, but we need to start on something for getting the shop put back together.”
She might not say it, but her urgency is a reminder that she won’t be able to stick around forever. Junie lets out a slow
breath. “If we must.”
Georgia squeezes her like a mom would. “I know you can do it, buttercup.”
Junie loves the way Georgia makes her feel.
Cared for, noticed, like she’s not entirely without a mother.
She often wonders what it was like for Georgia—not having her own big sister.
Although by all appearances it has only ramped up Georgia’s competence, like she came out of the womb with some life experience already under her belt.
It’s hard to think about how life would’ve turned out differently if Mama had lived—for both of them, but especially for Georgia.
“You planning to visit Daddy while you’re home?” Junie asks.
“Are you trying to change the subject?”
“Are you?” Junie sings the last bit.
Georgia’s already grinning when Junie takes off in a skipping run. “Girl, you’re a hot mess,” she calls from behind.
Little does she know how much.
Junie throws out her arms like the wings of an airplane and lets the warm nighttime air carry her ahead.
“Junie, you’re going to be the end of me . . .” Georgia’s words are quiet between her labored breaths from jogging to catch
up.
Junie won’t think about endings now, not while she has her sister and this delicious moment unraveling in front of her. Not
when this evening feels like a perfect beginning.