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It would be a great weekend. The timing of the conclusion of his exams coincided with the weekend that Jamie and the Hanks were doing an outdoor concert - the one Justyna had mentioned to Jo a few weeks back. When he asked Jo if she’d like to go, she readily agreed. In addition, Justyna along with Dare’s friend Matthew were going to come too. Neither was familiar with the group, so Dare and Jo were anxious for them to hear their hometown celebrities. The weather was absolutely fall-like and it would be the perfect evening for a good seafood dinner with live music to follow.
They were all meeting at a local restaurant that Dare had visited before, so he knew how to get there and where to park. Dare asked Jo to come a few minutes early and she assumed it was because he had good news to share. Even though she knew Dare was absolutely prepared for the tests, she knew that you could never be sure how exams would go. Her own university experience had taught her that; however, no matter how difficult the test was, she always managed to come through it OK. She felt Dare would do the same.
As soon as she walked in and saw him sitting there with the biggest smile she’d ever seen him wear, she had her answer.
“So, may I sit here? It is Captain Dare now, I assume?” she laughed.
“It is, it is,” he almost shouted. “Can you believe it, Jo? I did it. First time around.”
“Of course, I believe it, Dare. Wow. So proud of you. What did your family say? I know you must have called them first thing.”
“My mom was crying and I know Dad was happy. They know how much this meant to me. It’s my future, after all. And I let Captain Jeff know. And Chris too. You know, he’s really been helpful to me. He spent a lot of time with me before he left and we still keep in touch by text and all. How about you and Chris? Still OK?”
“Yes,” said Jo. “And I have good news about Mom and Chris. After that initial meeting I told you about, they have texted back and forth several times and it seems to be going well. Mom says that they are finding things in common like foods they like and small stuff like that. But it’s starting to build a bond. I can sense she is very happy about how it’s working out.”
“And your Gran? Is she still holding out talking to him again?”
“Unfortunately, yes. But Mom and Dad and I have decided to go to Hatteras for Thanksgiving, so Mom and I will have another talk with her. I think she’s feeling a bit left out since obviously Mom and I are moving forward, but she says she can’t. But I won’t give up on her. Not yet, anyway.” Jo looked up and saw her roommate walking in. “Hey, look who’s here!”
Justyna walked in, and not a few minutes later, Matt arrived. There were handshakes and hugs all around in celebration of Dare’s success. Drinks and food were ordered and the conversation was lively. When there was a lull, Jo cleared her throat.
“And I have some news for you, Dare, and for you too, Matt. I’m afraid Justyna already knows by virtue of her being my roommate. But I’m dying to share.”
Dare looked up at her quizzically. “What have you not told me?”
“It’s really just happened in the last few days, Dare. And I knew I’d see you this weekend. It’s not a done deal or anything like that. But I can announce…” and she paused for dramatic effect.
“Oh, come on!” laughed Matt. “Out with it.”
“Yours truly has been invited to apply for an honors term at the North Carolina Center for Aquatic Research in Belhaven for the fall semester! There were only two second year biology majors asked to apply. I’ll get to really focus on my dear jellies. I’ll do all my other classes for the term on-line. It’s a bit of a dream come true for me. And I’ll only be three hours away from the island instead of six. Which means, I’ll be able to visit my grandmother much more regularly and I’ll be that much closer to Mom and Dad in Raleigh.”
“And you’ll be three hours away from me,” Justyna pretended to pout. “What will I do?” Then she jumped up and exclaimed, “Just kidding. I’m happy for you, Jo. And for you too, Dare. You two are really going after your dreams. Here’s a toast!”
They clinked their glasses, enjoyed dinner, and made their way to the concert venue.
“Jo has talked non-stop about this group, Dare,” said Justyna. “Can’t wait to hear them.”
“Me too,” added Matthew. “I think Dare must be president of their fan club.”
No one ended up being disappointed. The group played plenty of covers that all four of them recognized, and they sprinkled in a few of their own tunes which garnered plenty of applause from the audience. It was a high-energy performance.
“They really had a good turn out and they were great,” said Jo as they walked out of the amphitheater. “It’s good the weather was OK, otherwise we’d have been wet or cold or both. Playing at places like this will really get their name out there. Hope we don’t lose them on the island!”
“They’d never stop playing at home,” Dare said. “We gave them their start and I know both Jamie and his brother Hank – the older of the Hanks – and I think no matter how high their star rises, their feet will be firmly in Hatteras sand.”
When they got to the dorm, Matthew and Dare said they were headed to Matthew’s apartment for a few beers. Jo and Justyna said their goodbyes. Jo had an early morning of volunteering and Justyna was working on a paper.
“I’ll see you at Thanksgiving then, Jo,” said Dare. “And we’ll have another celebration at Marcie’s. That’s our place.”
“I think she is going to engrave plaques with our names on those two seats at the bar,” chuckled Jo.
“And I hope that maybe you’ll have luck with your Gran. I think she and Chris really would be an awesome couple.”
“Me too, Dare. See you in just a few weeks.”
But luck was not with Jo nor her family. A significant nor’easter reared its ugly head early in the week of Thanksgiving, and by Tuesday, the roads on Pea Island were flooded badly. Highway 12 was closed with no quick re-opening in sight as the swell continued. So, there would be no Thanksgiving with Susan this year.
SeaAnna, Jo, and Mike were very disappointed. Mike had actually been looking forward to the break from work even though it would only be about three days. And SeaAnna and Jo, although they hadn’t talked to one another about it, were secretly hoping they could bring Susan around on the topic of Chris.
