Turn Over

Shawna took Lindy’s hand, and they walked through a path in the weeds.

“I’ll even throw in a swing set and slide. What do you think?”

She was considering it. That was all I needed. She didn’t have to have the vision I had for the place. People rarely could see what potential there was in land or a dilapidated building, but I could. I only had to paint the picture for her. As long as she believed the picture, it would work.

“And picnic tables and grills?” She turned toward me.

“Yes, over there near the trees. Much better than what you have at the Cove.”

Lindy squealed. “Mama, look! Cats!”

A stray cat jumped on the hood of one of the cars.

I smirked. “I’ll make sure you have no problems with ferocious attack cats either.”

I heard Shawna repress a giggle.

“But Lindy can’t see the ocean from here. She loves the ocean.” She turned toward the road. The beach was on the other side of it as well as a row of houses and hotels.

“There’s swimming access to the sound. And you know you can access the beach anytime you want to take her. There are places all over the island for that.” She didn’t look convinced. “Ok, I’ll add a pier with a swimming platform, ok?” I tried not to sound irritated. I was slowly adding costs to this low-budget project.

She folded her arms, allowing Lindy to move freely in front of us. “A swimming platform sounds decent, but how am I going to get moved?”

“Leave that to me. I’ll set up the new campground and get you moved.”

The cat was joined by a friend. I wondered how many other animals lived in the hollowed out engines and trunks.

“And my neighbors? Arnie and Karen? There are a few others who are year-round residents like me.”

She pushed her sunglasses on top of her head. I knew Shawna was a young woman, but there were lines around her eyes, and the smudged mascara running around her lids made her look tired and older than she was.

“I have enough room for ten spots. I can’t get permits for more than that. You are on the top of the list.”

“Only ten? But what if more people want to move?” She was trying to hold Lindy back from chasing one of the cats. She glared at her daughter to stand still.

“Shawna, I have a team of people who can help them find new lots for their campers. I can help ten of you right here. What do you say? Are you interested?”

I knew the lot was small, and I wasn’t going to be able to move everyone, but they weren’t all in Shawn’s situation. She needed a place she could afford so that Lindy could continue to live on the island and go to school. Most of the other residents stayed for four or five months out of the year. The snowbirds only resided at the Cove during the winter. Those weren’t the people causing my PR nightmare. This woman and the cute little girl were.

“All right. We’ll move.” She bent down so she was squatting next to Lindy. The girl was about to snatch the tail of a striped kitty. “What do you think, Lindy? Would you like to move here?”

She nodded. “Can we have the kitties?”

I laughed. “That’s up to your mother.” I began to walk back to my car.

Shawna stood. “Thank you, Mason.”

“I’m glad it’s going to work out.” I drove toward the Palm, leaving the mother to survey her new home.

14

Sydney

“Well done on the feature piece,” Alice smiled as she passed by my cubicle. She was on her way back from the break room. A cup of coffee in her hand.

“Thank you. I’ve had a lot of feedback from my Twitter followers.”

“I’m starting to think you’re more of a feature writer. First the Lachlan piece and now this look at the mother and her daughter. You have a flare that’s starting to show.”