THE CAMELLIA TAVERN

CHAPTER 10: A DILEMMA

Monday, June 8

From:  Adams Colquitt

CC: Henry Washburn

To: Melinda Barker

Dear Miss Barker:

Thank you for confirming that you will be participating in the Kathryn May Graves Program during this summer semester. Please be advised that, this year, the program is to be held in Birmingham, and that the participants are to secure their own lodging for the two week duration. Please don't hesitate to contact the Program Coordinator, Tara May Abernathy, with any questions that may arise.

Sincerely,

Adams Colquitt, PhD

I sit back in my desk chair then slump down a little in defeat. Two weeks lodging is going to be expensive. I don't think I can swing a hotel or even an AirBnB for that long and still have enough to pay the remainder of my tuition this fall. There are lots of students originally from Birmingham at EASU, but my circle of friends is from other places. Plus, two weeks is a long time to bunk with someone.

I tell myself it doesn't matter. I will find a place to stay no matter what. Even if I have to make the ninety minute drive back and forth from Sturvis each day, I will find a way to attend.

I hear the television come on in the living room and I decide to step away from my computer and class notes for a little break.

I find Merritt and Jacinda with a bowl of popcorn and a bottle of wine on the coffee table in front of them.

"So you are gonna join us after all?" Merritt says with an excited smile.

"I've got a paper to write for Colquitt's class. It's due next Monday."

"So you've got a whole week to write it," Jacinda says, like it's a no-brainer.

"I'll grab a third wine glass," Merritt says then jumps up and heads towards the kitchen before I can protest.

"We're gonna watch Birds of Prey," Jacinda tells me and it sounds vaguely familiar but I'm not sure I know what it is.

"So did either of y'all find out anything more about this Birmingham trip to view Warrick's restaurant?" I ask as I plop down on the love seat next to our couch. Both pieces were inherited from Merritt's parents' guesthouse and they're actually really nice, unlike a lot of the other furnishings in our place.

"Yep," Merrritt says proudly returning with the wine glass and setting it in front of me, "So, apparently, they're picking one person from the kitchen, dining room, bar and host stand for it."

I might have known that if I had mentally made it past the fact that I was told Warrick had a gorgeous girlfriend that night.

"How are they gonna choose?" I ask.

"A vote. The whole staff votes this week. If there are any ties, Warrick gets to make the final call based on performance. Although, I have no idea how he's evaluating our performance," Merritt says.

I blow out a breath. I wish I could concentrate on the movie or enjoy a glass of wine, but I feel like my stomach is tied in knots, thinking about how to come up with the money to pay tuition, my monthly bills and for lodging during the summer program. I could ask to pick up extra shifts over the next few weeks, but I'm already working five nights a week and I like to spend as many nights off as I can with Gramps.

"You have a week to write this paper," Jacinda says, clearly misinterpreting why I'm distraught.

"It's not that. It's just...I have to pay for a place to stay for two weeks during that summer program and I just know how I'm gonna swing it with everything else I have to pay at the first of the semester."