Down and Out in Flamingo Beach by Marcia King-Gamble

owe this pleasure?”
    â€œI hear the bank is offering business owners interest-free loans to spruce up their properties. Is that true?”
    â€œYes, it’s true. With the upcoming centennial only a few months away, we hoped to make Flamingo Beach a showplace. What surprises me is that your grandmother didn’t take advantage of our offer. I assumed maybe financial difficulties and pride kept her from applying.”
    â€œFinancial difficulties? What do you mean?”
    A flutter of panic began in Joya’s gut. Granny J had never said a word about having money problems. It wasn’t until the two irresponsible saleswomen had claimed not to have been paid that Joya had sensed something might be wrong.
    â€œFrom your expression I gather this is news to you,” Bill Brown said rising and pouring them two cups of water from a pitcher. He handed Joya one.
    She nodded, finally managing, “Just how bad is it?”
    Brown stroked his smooth chin. “Well, let’s see. Your grandmother came in about a year ago to get an equity line of credit. She was keeping up fine and then a couple of months ago she began falling behind.”
    â€œI see,” Joya said, although she didn’t see at all. “Exactly how much money does Granny owe?”
    Bill turned his attention to the monitor on his desk, pecking on his keyboard. He made some rapid calculations and eventually named a figure.
    It wasn’t an astronomical amount. Joya had enough from today’s sale to pay up the loan and still have a few dollars in reserve.
    Joya fished in her purse, removed the envelope holding this morning’s take from the sales, and carefully counted the bills out. She separated the money into two piles.
    â€œI’m here to make the payments on that loan,” she said, “I don’t have Granny J’s book with me. I’m also here to discuss getting one of those low-interest loans with you.”
    Bill pushed a button on the intercom.
    â€œYes, Mr. Brown,” came Marlene Miller’s querulous voice.
    â€œWill you come in, please.”
    Miss Miller entered and stood reverently before Bill’s desk.
    â€œWill you please deposit this money in Mrs. Hamill’s equity account,” Bill said, “The other money goes to her checking. Bring me back both receipts.” He scribbled what Joya assumed were both account numbers on a yellow pad, tore out the sheet, and handed it to Marlene.
    â€œCertainly.” Tossing a curious look Joya’s way, Miss Miller turned and left them.
    â€œSo you wanted to talk about a loan?” Bill Brown said.
    â€œYes, I do. The stores around Granny’s shop are all being renovated. I don’t want Granny J to miss out. She’s owned her property for almost as long as Flamingo Beach has been around. It would be a shame to let it go down.”
    â€œI agree.”
    For the next fifteen minutes, Bill told Joya about the loan options and the terms available. He told her she could fill out her application online and that she would receive approval in less than twenty-four hours.
    â€œWill Gran’s delinquent payments affect her getting this loan?” Joya asked. “You did say she was dutifully making the payments up until a couple of months ago?”
    â€œYour granny has been a very good customer of the credit union. Except for the equity line, she owns the building out right.”
    Marlene Miller was back, handing her tangible proof of the transactions. “That copy has your grandmother’s balance,” she quickly pointed out.
    Joya thanked her and stood. Bill, always the gentleman, stood and followed her to the door. He handed Joya a couple of folders.
    â€œRead this information and discuss it with Mrs. Hamill, then get back to us. You have my personal guarantee you will have your loan.”
    After shaking Bill Brown’s hand and thanking him, Joya left.
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    As Joya came up the walkway she spotted