Page 72 of Ten Christmases Without You
The city streets were bustling, the whole world moving on despite Emmy treading water with her father’s health. The buzz of it actually sent a little life into her. The cold air hit her skin, and the jovial holiday decorations helped to clear her mind.
When she got to the shop, she treated herself to a gingerbread latte and stripped off her coat at a table by the window. The sun streamed in, making her feel like it should be warmer outside. It was hard to believe a snowstorm would be there in a few days. She leaned back in the chair and took a sip of the sugary-sweet cinnamon-and-cream drink just as her phone rang.
Worried the call might be regarding her dad, she dug her phone out of her handbag. But she was even more surprised when she saw Charlie’s name on the screen.
“Hello?”
“Long time no chat.” His voice made her feel as if she’d taken in a deliciously long gasp of fresh air after holding her breath for too long.
“Yes, it has been a long time.”
“So you’ve been busy.”
“I have.” She’d told him about the apprentice job, and they’d talked a few times, but she hadn’t filled him in on anything else.”
“Do you have something you want to tell me?” he asked.
His tone was too happy to be referencing her dad’s news. “I don’t know. Do I?”
“I saw the article in today’sNew York Times’ style section.”
“What article?”
“Your name is front and center in their piece on ‘Cultural Impact and Major Fashion Moments.’ In the photo, the crowd is standing for your design. They’re saying that you’rethenext big thing.”
“What?”
He laughed, making her stomach flip. “You haven’t seen it?”
“No!”
A few patrons looked her way, and she twisted toward the window.
“When I saw it, I had to call to say congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“And I’ve been meaning to check in anyway. I’m still answering questions for Bachman Global Services, and I had to call the Richmond office. Your sister mentioned your dad sold the house.”
“Yeah.” Their lives were moving in opposite directions, and now, with the sale of her childhood home, there was no chance she’d bump into Charlie.
“I guess that’s good,” he said.
“It was too much space for him.” She was saying the words, but all she could think about was how much she’d missed thesound of his voice. His happiness filled her with joy. She hadn’t felt that kind of pleasure in so long.
“How are you?” she asked, not ready to ruin his mood just yet with news of her father’s heart attack.
“I’m good. I’m buried in snow at the moment. Wyoming’s no joke in the winter.”
“I’ll bet it’s beautiful, though.”
“You should come see it.”
She closed her eyes, the sun streaming in on her face through the window. “I’d love to.”
“I actually put up a Christmas tree and everything.”
“That’s veryadultof you,” she teased.
