Chapter 146

She smiled at her reflection until a woman came into the bathroom with her young daughter, which made Candace bolt back to the stall, pack up her shorts and top in the shopping bag and his camera in her purse, and leave.

Not a great idea to stand grinning foolishly at yourself in a public bathroom.

Out to her car in the parking garage which had reverted to being inoffensive, out into the sunshine of what had been and would now continue to be a blissful day, heading toward the Third Ward. On St. Paul Avenue, her cell rang. Michelle. Candace pulled over immediately opposite the station and answered with shaking hands, guilty for not thinking about Gran and Grandad every second of the morning. “Did you hear from them?”

“They’re fine! No worries. The hurricane is moving quickly, they’re in the shelter, safe and sound. They haven’t even lost power. Gran said people are incredibly organized and patient and there’s a great feeling of community while they weather the storm