• Chapter 19: Kauri’s New Job
    Cameron pulled up to the small home that had been converted to a shop with Kauri in the passenger’s seat. The sign read The Home Shop. “Is this the right place? I don’t know if you’d really want a job here. It doesn’t seem like your kind of place.”
    “And what exactly is my ‘kind of place’?” Kauri quizzed him
    “More like a bar. Not quite that intense, but closer to that than this,” he explained.
    “Yea, well I know I can get a job here, trust me. You can come in with me. Actually, please do. I might feel a little better if I’m not alone.”
    “Ok, whatever.” Cameron unbuckled his seatbelt and got out.
    Cameron and Kauri walked side-by-side across the path to the door. Along the path were all sorts of flowers and plants. The porch held hanging pots and a little bench with a cute phrase that had chipped to the point that Kauri couldn’t quite make it out. The opened the white door and saw all sorts of candles and home decorations. There were angel statues and fairy wind chimes and humidifiers in floral shapes.
    “Kauri!” a short, blonde woman exclaimed as she went towards Kauri with open arms. “Well, what brings you here today?” the woman asked after the hug, completely oblivious to the fact that Cameron was also there.
    “Well Grandma Gale, has my mom told you what happened?”
    “No, I can’t say she has.”
    “Well, I’m pregnant and I just found out I’m having twins and…”
    “No, I can’t be old enough to be a great-grandmother! Is this your boyfriend?” Gale asked, turning to Cameron.
    Kauri giggled a little at the shocked face Cameron gave. “No Grandma, that’s my best guy friend. He’s dating my best friend. I was raped, but before I got a chance to tell my parents, I was kicked out of my home.”
    “Oh, honey, you can stay at my house anytime you want.”
    “Thanks, but I’ve been getting by the best I can. All I really need is a job. I don’t care if I’m helping you out here or Grandpa back in the shed,” Kauri began to beg. Out in the shed is where things were painted, upholstered, floral arrangements were made, and broken things were fixed.
    “Of course! What days and times are good for you?”
    Kauri thought for a while, figuring out how long it would take to get there. “From 3 to close every weekday and all day Saturday. Is that good for you Cameron?”
    “Yea, sounds good to me.”
    “Why did you ask him?” Gale questioned.
    “He has to drive me here, since I can’t drive for another year.”
    “Oh, ok.” As Gale said that, a couple of customers walked in and she assumed her position behind the counter.
    “We better let her work,” Kauri whispered to Cameron as she headed towards the door.
    As they walked out the door, Cameron turned to Kauri. “What happened to not telling anyone?”
    “Well, she’s my grandma, and she doesn’t know anyone at school. I was worried about people there; I thought I explained that. It’s not like your mom doesn’t know,” Kauri pointed out.