Page 65 of You Were Invited
Anymore, Annie railed against her childhood imaginary friend. The absurdity of still having one as an adult disgusted her now. Although embarrassed, she’d brought it up with her therapist. They’d decided that because she’d conjured Serene in a time of need, it made sense that her mind would lean on the coping mechanism during this transition, too.
"Never mind that I speak the truth,” Serene Hallowbrew laughed. “Always.”
Around dinner, Annie returned to Molly and Peter’s, went to the kitchen, and threw a chub of ground turkey, eggs, and seasonings into a bowl. After putting a meatloaf in the oven, she went to Molly’s room, where her friend was reading.
“Hey. Will Peter be here for dinner?” Annie clung to the doorway. “He isn’t anywhere.”
Molly smiled and looked over the rim of her black reading glasses. “He went out with friends.”
“Ah. Hungry?”
Molly slipped a bookmark between her book’s pages. “I could eat.” She set the thick tome on her nightstand. Her eyebrow arched. “I heard dishes a minute ago.”
Annie drummed her fingers on the door trim. “I’ve been itching to cook.”
Molly sniffed the air. “Casserole?”
“Meatloaf.”
“It’s going to be good,” Molly said, clapping her hands happily.
They watched trash TV before eating dinner. Annie thought about bringing up Christopher’s texts, but didn’t feel like burdening Molly with how much of a pest he was being. After all, she’d blocked him, and she hoped that would be the end of it. She just didn’t want to think about him for one night.Molly’s appetite wasn’t ravenous, but when Peter came home, he coaxed her into finishing every bite Annie had served her.
Later, while watching a movie together, Annie looked over at her friends from her spot on the end of the bed. Molly dozed with her head lolled on the large real estate of Peter’s broad shoulder. His head was cocked to the side, his cheek supported by the crown of Molly’s red curls. He winked and smiled at Annie before kissing the top of his wife’s head. Eyes still closed, Molly snuggled closer.
“I’m goin’ to bed.” Annie stretched and yawned. It was midnight. “See you tomorrow.”
“G’night,” Peter whispered back. “Close the door?”
Annie reached for their dinner plates and tried not to clank them. As she turned, Bell jumped off the bed. With a soft bark, Bell pawed Annie’s leg.
“What’s it, girl?” Annie whispered.
Molly cracked an eye, and Peter groaned, rubbing a hand over his forehead.
“The dog should go out one last time.” Peter disentangled himself from his wife, who pouted sleepily. Bell whined again. “Okay, okay.”
“I’ll do it,” Annie said, “then I’ll bring her back.”
Peter looked to Molly.
"Thanks, Annie.” Molly yawned.
Thank you,Peter mouthed. As he sank back into bed and into his wife’s arms, Molly sighed happily.
Walking down the hallway and to the kitchen, Annie dropped off the dishes before going into the living room. Bell trotted after her. She switched on the back light for them, but still needed the flashlight on her phone. Bell bolted into the middle of the grassy backyard and sniffed the sprinkler-damp grass. A high, faded orange wood fence enclosed the pretty area.Flower beds and bushes rimmed the perimeter. A few spring perennials poked up through the dirt. Peter had his ladder tilted up against the gutters.
Annie had never met a sweeter couple than Molly and Peter. The home they’d created together was beautiful. Gazing softly around the dark yard, waiting for Bell to do her business, Annie hugged herself. Just as she looked at the night sky, sadness acutely gripping her heart. Her entire mood took a dump.
Julian was miles away. She was determined— still determined— to find her way again on her own. She hated it, but she doubted her path included him, especially after she’d let her feelings be known in no uncertain terms.
Feelings at the time. You had a lot going on,came a thought, much to her surprise.
Regardless, she doubted he’d ever forgive her for ghosting him. She was a terrible person for dropping their friendship like a sack of potatoes, but to lead him on would be crueler.
Unbidden, tears welled up in her eyes. Soon, they rolled down her cheeks and she couldn’t stop crying. All she wanted after the day she’d had werehisarms around her.
A paw batted at her leg and Annie looked down. Bell had finished her business. The little dog’s head cocked to the side.
