Page 34 of UnLucky Christmas
I vaguely remember that woman, and my interest in crocheting has passed.
“That’s great, but I won’t ever use it,” I tell her.
She frowns. “Okay—it’s a shame though. You should be more sentimental.”
Is she serious right now?She’s already moving on with her life, including communicating with a new man, yet I need to hold on to an old bag of yarn I barely remember.
I bite my lower lip to keep from saying something I’ll feel bad about later.
“I’m only taking these things,” I tell her. “The rest can be donated.”
I get up and go to the kitchen to get a drink. A few minutes later she joins me.
“I want you to know I understand how difficult this is,” she says softly. “Especially after everything you’ve just been through with Pete.”
I take a sip of my water. “Thanks, but I’m doing fine with that. I’m moving on.”
She gives me a curious look. “Have you met someone else already?”
My dream of Grant flashes through my mind. Ugh.Why?
“My friend is trying to set me up with her husband’s friend,” I tell her. “Obviously I plan to take things slowly and not jump into a new relationship.”
I totally meant that as a dig she probably won’t pick up on.
“Well, your happiness is what matters,” she says. “Sometimes you can’t help it when you’re attracted to a person.”
Ew. I really hope she’s not talking about her new friend. There are just some things I don’t want to imagine.
I hear my phone ringing in my bag and practically race to answer it. I need to thank the person who’s calling for saving me from this conversation. I see Janelle’s number on the screen.
“Hey. What’s up?”
“What’s happening with you?” she asks. “You’ve been strangely quiet. And so has the group chat.”
I giggle. “That should make you happy, right?”
“Yes, it’s been peaceful,” she agrees. “But I expected Santa’s Favorites to be hopping with unnecessary texts.”
“Okay, I’ll make sure to start up a conversation,” I tease.
“No, no—I’m good,” she says. “We need to catch up before lunch with Macy. I want an update about Chad and everything else…and we need to decide about the party. Are you available to grab a late dinner?”
“Yes,” I exclaim immediately. “I’m just finishing up at my parents’ house.”
“Oh, I’m sure that’s been loads of fun.”
I snort. “You have no idea.”
We agree to meet in an hour for sushi and I end the call.
Dinner and a chat with my best friend is exactly what I need.
When I leave my parents’ house, I glance back at the beautiful Christmas tree gleaming in the window. I take out my phone and snap a picture. I can feel a lump forming in my throat and tears stinging my eyes. I know life is full of changes. This is just one change that may take me longer to get used to than others.
* * *
The last timeI came to this restaurant was the night Pete broke up with me. I feel like that was a lifetime ago because so much has happened since then. I arrive before Janelle which rarely happens, so I sit down at the bar and order a diet coke. When I check my phone, I see a message from Chad waiting for me.
