Page 15 of Split Screen Scream
Chapter 5
After she ended the call with Tanya, Christie wandered into the kitchen and opened cabinet doors. She’d planned to stay in, but she really did need to run to the grocery store. That had been on her original “To Do” list for today. Her stomach growled as she stared at the limited contents of her cabinets.
For the past few weeks, she’d paid for the new dress, the new shoes, and the new purse—basically an entirely new outfit from head to toe. So, she hadn’t exactly been buying extras to stock her kitchen. In fact, she’d been eating what she’d already had stored.
Her cabinets now held a variety of spices and sauces, some pasta with nothing to put on it, a box of brown rice, pancake syrup, peanut butter but no bread or crackers, and a yellow cake mix.
She’d had nothing to offer Reed the other night when he’d escorted her home, except coffee. And it didn’t appear she had anything for lunch or for dinner for herself today. Last night she hadn’t been hungry, but she was paying for that now, because the small bowl of cereal she’d just eaten for breakfast wasn’t enough. Despite what she’d told Reed about staying in today, she had to go out to buy food.
Taking out a small notepad, she started jotting down a quick grocery list, thinking of foods her ex-boyfriend used to like. Salsa and chips, frozen pizza, and mixed nuts. All were good to have on hand to offer a hungry man. The next time a man came by to visit, she needed to have something on hand to offer him besides coffee. It had been a year since she’d broke up with Mitch, the last man to sit at her kitchen table until Reed.
She paused, wondering if she was ready to start dating again. The answer to that question didn’t really take much thought. If he was as nice as Reed, she most certainly was.
She wondered if Reed drank alcohol, and if so, what he drank. Her ex drank every night and many nights he drank a lot. That was one major reason Mitch was an ex. Though he’d been gone a year, she still didn’t stock alcohol. It hadn’t been possible to keep drinks in the house when she was with Mitch. He’d finished off everything she’d brought home. Over the last few months, she’d bring a bottle of wine home to enjoy, but that was it. Mitch had changed her. Made her wary of enabling someone prone to addictive behaviors.
But Mitch was long gone. Maybe it was time to let go of her fear. She wanted to be prepared the next time she had male company. It wouldn’t hurt to have a single bottle of wine, if the occasion arose.
Finishing her list, she changed into jeans and a T-shirt, slipped her feet into her most comfy tennis shoes, and ran a brush through her hair. Glancing in the mirror, she tried to ignore the dark circles. She needed sleep, but she also needed food, and choosing one meant forgoing the other.
Not until she was behind the wheel of her car, easing into the parking space at the grocery store did her nervousness return. She sat in the car, watching people come and go, trying to get her nerve up again. Everything looked calm.
She opened her door and got out. After, scanning the parking lot again, she headed toward the doors. She found herself glancing at faces, trying to read expressions and intent. She’d never been so aware of her surroundings in her life. In fact, she was hyperaware.
Inside the store, she gathered the things she needed then hurried to check out.
By the time she got home with her purchases and carried them into her house, she was exhausted. Lunch was egg salad on a croissant that she’d picked up at the deli. She opened the plastic box and ate it without really tasting it, while at the same time putting everything away. Then she curled up on the couch beneath the afghan Tanya had made for her. Exhaustion took over, and she fell asleep.
Her cellphone rang, waking her. She reached for it and squinted to read. The house was pitch dark, so it was obviously nighttime, and the only light came from her phone.
Tanya’s name appeared on the screen.
She answered. “Hello?”
“How are you doing?”
“Okay, I guess. Went to get groceries, ate lunch, and then fell asleep on the couch.”
“Oh, did I wake you?” Tanya said, her tone filled with regret.
Christie ran a hand over her face and sat up. “Yes,” she said, and then cringed because she’d sounded a little sharp.
“It’s eight o’clock. I wanted to call before you went to sleep and make sure you’re doing okay. Sorry about waking you.”
“It’s all right, Tanya, really. I needed to get up and put my pajamas on and go to sleep in bed, not this old couch.” Christie rolled her neck and then stretched. “Thanks for checking on me.”
“You’re welcome. Is there anything you need?”
“No. I’m all set. I’ve got to get caught up on sleep before I go to work tomorrow morning.”
“Have you talked to Mrs. Brown? I think you ought to take tomorrow off. You’ve been through something traumatic. I know she’d understand.”
“No, I haven’t talked to her. I don’t want to take tomorrow off. There’s no reason to. I’m fine.” She made a face, remembering how nervous she’d been shopping.
“Okay,” Tanya said, sounding doubtful. “Well, call me if you need anything or want to talk.”
“I’m fine Tanya. Quit fussing.” Eager to change the subject, she asked. “How are your fur babies?”
“Well, like I texted you, the vet says they ate begonia plants. It was in the stuff they yakked up.”
