“Well, like I said earlier, I’m not going anywhere, so if she needs more time, I can take it as slow as she needs.”
“For what it’s worth, it took me a long time to let Luc in. Remember it was so bad he broke up with me?”
“I can’t even break up with her because we aren’t even really a couple. I feel like we are—and I hate this phrase—fuck buddies.” Hannah’s face scrunched up.
“Kate doesn’t sound like the kind of person who would take a fuck buddy to her Friendsgiving.”
“I suppose you are right. Maybe I am just expecting too much too fast. Arg!” Hannah put her hands on her head. “I don’t know what I am doing! Is it Kate or is this some secret lesbian ritual of dating in the twenty-first century?”
“Obviously, I don’t know. But I feel like this is more of a Kate thing.”
“No offense, but I need more queer friends.”
Brandee waved her off, “No, I get it. And I think you are right.”
“I was so happy to go to Kate’s Friendsgiving. I mean, it wasn’t just for LGBTQIA people, but it was mostly queer people, andhonestly, the biggest group of not-plain old straight people I’ve ever been in.”
“So, you just need more of that.”
“I do! Now how do I find it? I can’t expect Kate to be my guide.”
“Han, you know you are great at getting people together. Look at all the classes you’ve sold out at New Age Stones and Witch Crafts.”
“Yeah, but that’s work stuff.”
“It’s still building community. You should start a group in Marley Creek! For anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA!”
Hannah’s heart sped up, and she felt ideas began to bubble up. “Maybe we could use the events room at the shop. Would the group need a name? Maybe I should buy a pride flag. You know this town doesn’t do anything for Pride Month. We need to make it a whole thing.”
Brandee smiled slyly.
“Did you encourage me to start thinking about this to take my mind off my crummy Thanksgiving and TA?”
“TA?” Brandee ran her hands through her hair. “Oh, right. The asshole.”
“Exactly.”
“And yes, I was trying to think of a way to distract you. I hate to see you upset.”
“Aw, thanks, Bran. You’re the best!” Hannah threw her arms around her friend.
Once Hannah let go, Brandee looked at her phone. “It’s getting late, and I promised Chris I’d come home in time to tuck him in. Are you good? Do I need to give you an assignment to keep you focused on the future Marley Creek Queer Community Support Group?”
“You’re such a teacher.”
“This time next year I’ll be halfway done with student teaching!”
Hannah beamed at her friend. “I’m so excited for you! And maybe next year will be a big year for me too. The cards said transformational times are ahead.” Hannah’s stomach flip-flopped as she remembered her most recent reading that basically said she was in immediate danger. She pressed those worries down and stood up. “Thanks again for bringing me leftovers. Let Luc’s mom know I think she is an amazing cook and thank Luc for letting me have you for a few hours tonight.”
Brandee balanced on one foot and then the other as she put on her boots. “You’re sweet. You don’t have to thank Luc. We both think of you as family and Thanksgiving is for family. I should have called you earlier and made you come over for dinner this afternoon.”
“I didn’t want to impose on your first Thanksgiving with Luc’s family.”
“Stop. Like I said,” Brandee stopped with her arm in one jacket sleeve and locked eyes with her friend. “You are part of my family. From here on out, you are invited over for all holiday dinners. Got it?”
“Got it.” Hannah nodded.
Brandee finished bundling up, and Hannah opened the door. She stepped out of Hannah’s apartment, and Hannah closed the door behind her. She walked over to the sliding glass door so she could make sure her friend got to her car safely. Enough snow had fallen that Brandee’s boots left footprints in the snow as she hustled down the sidewalk and over to her car that was parked alone on the street. Hannah sighed in relief. The street was empty, and the dusting of snow was undisturbed. Wherever Chad was tonight, it wasn’t here, and that was all she cared about.
