She laughed at that.“Uh, I think I’ll pass on that.I’ve seen it enough.”
“You think I haven’t?Every time Maddie and Savannah get together, they have to watch it.”
“Oh, they’ll grow out of it eventually, and then, you’ll miss it.”
“I know.But presently, I’m anxious for the day I get to miss it.That being said, the theatre owner has some pretty awesome snacks.”
Again, Esther laughed.“Guess you should go make sure no one else eats your snacks then.”
“I should.Because my favourites are also Maddie’s favourites.Enjoy the rest of your night.”
“You, too.”She clicked the end call button and stared at her phone.A laugh, a friendly voice, a heart emoji that had just popped up on her screen – that was just what she needed to stop her spiral of dark thoughts.Maybe the world wasn’t as bleak as she had thought it was a few minutes ago.
Down the hall, across the dining room, a guitar began playing the intro to “Let Your Horses Run” by Brett Kissel.
Esther sighed and let her head fall back against the wall she was leaning on.
While life wasn’t completely without joy and light, there was still a bit of grey around the edges.This was change.That’s all it was.Soon that bit of grey would fade.Wouldn’t it?
Chapter 11
EarlyTuesdayevening,Fredplopped a gift bag on the kitchen island as Eddie was putting chicken nuggets and fries in the oven.He had been up and down and all round in his mind regarding the contents of that bag – and Esther.
Seeing her on Friday night had been painful.Sean’s comments about her being a former best friend had been awkward.But it was true, and that led him back to the gift bag sitting in front of him as he dropped onto a stool next to the island.
Tonight was the Christmas Eve service.The night on which he and Esther had always exchanged gifts.But things were different now.
And he hated it.
“What’s up?”Henry asked as came into the kitchen.He was still wearing his Drummonds’ uniform.He had worked today.
Fred hadn’t, and he wished he would have.Then, he would have been too busy with car things to obsess over Esther – and this stupid present.The one he both wanted to give her and didn’t.
“I don’t know what to do with that.”He pointed at the gift bag.
“What is it?”Eddie asked.
“Remember when we went Christmas shopping, and you were buying a gift for Ava before you were even dating her?”
“Yeah.”His lips curled into a goofy half-grin.Fred used to think that expression from his more serious twin was sweet.Now?At this moment?It made him look away because it wasn’t an expression he ever expected to wear himself.And it kind of crushed him inside.He shook his head.Not kind of.Did.It did crush him inside.
“Remember how I bought some movie snacks and stickers and stuff at the dollar store for Esther?”
Eddie’s eyes closed and he grimaced.He understood.
“What do I do with them now?”
“Give them to her,” Henry said.“She’s still your friend even if she’s not your girlfriend – and don’t think I don’t know that you wish she was.”
“But what about Steve and –” He clamped his lips closed.Eddie knew about how he had felt God wanted him to step away from Esther, but Henry didn’t.
Henry’s left eyebrow rose in interest.“Steve’s going to have to get over it,” he said.“Your tradition can change next year – IF it has to – which it may or may not.They aren’t married yet.”He paused and smirked.“Unless the part of what you were going to say, that you don’t want to tell me, has some bearing here.”
Fred blew out a breath.He didn’t have the heart or energy to go to battle over something Henry would eventually discover.He always did.He was relentless and wickedly good at figuring things out.“I heard God say to step away.”
Both of Henry’s eyebrows rose – high – as he whistled like a slow leak in an old tire.
“That’s why I’m quitting the worship team,” Fred added.
