“I could probably use some, but it’s more fun to swing by and visit when I need to mail stuff.”
“This is a great sporting goods store.” Dawn handed her the card and receipt. “My son loves this place.”
“Hopefully Arlen at the bike shop will like it too.”
“Arlen?”
“He fixed my bike tire and refused to let me pay him. I figured he wouldn’t be able to refuse a gift card.”
“He’s a great kid who has had a tough go of it.”
Harlow slipped the card into her backpack. “What happened?”
“You haven’t heard?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“Arlen lived on the mainland, in St. Ignace, with his parents until a few years ago.”
“What happened?”
“It’s a sad situation.”
“They died?”
“Almost as bad. They’re both drug addicts who abandoned him. His Uncle Joe…Joe London, took custody of Arlen.”
“How awful. Does he have any contact with them?”
“Not that I’m aware of,” Dawn said. “Joe’s a good guy and it’s worked out well. Arlen helps him at the bike shop, making a little extra money although I’m sure it’s tight at times. We don’t have much bike business here on the island during the winter months.”
Harlow stared at Dawn, the pieces falling into place. The teen hadn’t enrolled in college because he didn’t have the money. “Arlen mentioned wanting to go to trade school up at Northern Michigan University.”
“He’s a smart kid.” She tapped the side of her forehead. “He’ll probably have to get a student loan and end up in debt to his eyeballs. I’m not sure if you noticed, but Arlen has a slight learning impairment.”
“No, I hadn’t.”
“Dyslexia. According to Joe, it got worse after his parents abandoned him. He also developed a slight stutter.”
Harlow’s heart pinched at the thought of what poor Arlen had gone through, basically losing both parents. She had no doubt Dawn was right and money was tight, especially during the off-season.
A plan began to form in her mind. Her young friend would attend Northern Michigan University and follow his dream. She would make sure of it.
“You know what Dawn?” She glanced at her watch. “I’m glad you told me this because Arlen is going to go to college and he won’t have to pay a single penny. I’m funding his education.”
The woman blinked rapidly. “Bless your generous soul, Harlow.”
She held a finger to her lips. “Don’t tell anyone.”
“I won’t breathe a word. I don’t care what the fuddy-duddies around here say. Mackinac Island became an even better place the day you came back.”
Chapter 15
First things first, Harlow rode to the fire station. Tracking Caleb down took mere minutes. A firefighter who was in the driveway washing a firetruck personally escorted her to his office.
Caleb didn’t notice her right away, having his back to the door as he stood rummaging through a filing cabinet.
“Hey, boss man. Got a visitor.”
