Even though she felt like crap, a crooked smile slipped out. She could picture Chris’s dimpled face overjoyed at the prospect of snow.
“I’m just glad it’s not sticking around. I’ll be happy if we can avoid accumulating snow until the Mistletoe Market closes on Christmas Eve.”
Brandee handed Hannah several plastic carryout containers loaded with food. Then she unwound her scarf, took off her coat, and slipped out of her boots.
Hannah put the food on her kitchen counter and opened the lids. She was starving, and she was grateful for the food. She couldn’t afford to spiral with anxiety so much that she wasn’teating. Hannah knew from past experience, that only made her question her will to live. She pulled out a plate. “Did you want anything to drink?”
“Do you have any tea?”
“Of course! I even have the chai you love. It’s there.” Hannah pointed to where the counter met the wall. Hannah turned on the tea kettle she had sitting on the stove. Then she piled her plate with turkey, mashed potatoes, and roasted vegetables. Hannah stood at the counter and started eating. “This is so good. Thank you for taking pity on me and coming over.”
“It’s not pity! Whenever you’re ready, tell me what happened with your mom.”
Hannah scarfed down the lukewarm dinner that was better than any Thanksgiving dinner she ever had as a kid. Then she made herself a cup of her favorite tea from work, Anti-anxie-tea. It was a chamomile blend, and it always helped her relax. Once she had her hands wrapped around her favorite Christmas mug, she sat down on the couch facing Brandee. Hannah frowned, “I hate even having to retell what happened tonight. It feels jinxy, like if I say his name too many times, I’ll summon him.”
Brandee paused with her cup almost to her mouth. “The asshole?”
Hannah nodded. “Maybe I’ll feel better if I start calling him that too.”
“What’s going on? Did he contact you?”
Hannah took off her glasses, cleaned them with her shirt, and then put them back on. “Yes, and dammit, I should have saved the text or at least taken a screenshot, but I panicked and deleted it and blocked the number.”
“How did he get your phone number?”
“It had to be from my mom or dad.”
“Why would they do that?”
“Because they are the worst.”
Brandee set down her mug and crossed her arms. “It makes me so mad. I don’t understand how any parent could choose a relationship with an abuser over their own child. The fact that you even speak to them at all—they don’t realize how lucky they are.”
Hannah shrugged. She’d had a version of this conversation before with both Zaina and Brandee. “I like to think it’s because they are usually at least tipsy–and most often drunk, and Chad seems very likable when you have beer goggles on. If the asshole shows up in Marley Creek and turns on the charm, people might wonder why I left him.”
“No way, Hannah. I don’t care how fake-charming he can be. I would never.” Brandee reached over and grabbed Hannah’s hand. Brandee’s hand was warm against her icy fingers.
Hannah gave Brandee’s hand a squeeze. “I know you’ll have my back.”
Brandee’s eyes widened, “Is he coming to Marley Creek? Should we call the cops?”
“My parents couldn’t give him my address because they don’t know it, and that’s more the result of them not bothering to ask than me trying to hide it from them. My mom told him where I work.”
“And your phone number?”
“Yep, that too.”
Hannah wrapped her arms around a red and green pillow that said, ‘This is my Hallmark Movie Watching Pillow.’
Brandee leaned back on the couch and put her stocking feet against the coffee table. Smoky appeared out of nowhere and hopped into her lap. “Hey buddy, long time no see.” She stroked his black fur.
Hannah watched her friend and her cat and slowly mustered up the courage to talk about the text. “The cops can’t stop himbecause he hasn’t done anything except contact me. Plus, the restraining order I had in Michigan expired.”
“Well, shit, I don’t like that. What did the text say? Do you remember?”
Hannah pressed her head into the back of the couch and looked up at the ceiling. “I think it’s burned into my brain. He said he knew where to find me.”
“Well, that doesn’t mean he is coming here, does it?” Brandee asked.
