Chapter 34 #2
My gaze falls back on the ornament in her weathered hand.
I clench my jaw, swallowing down the thick emotion that’s building in my throat.
That was how I wished my mom had reacted when I gave her my ornament, how I had always imagined it going in my head.
A desire to talk to my mom about that day surges through my being along with the need to hug her now, given what I’ve learned from that memory.
I think I stare at the object for longer than I should, because Holly holds it out for me to see better, the picture facing me.
“Sweet, isn’t it?”
Holly’s voice is even, and her eyes are discerning, like she’s trying to puzzle me out. Honestly, I’m surprised she’s letting me see the ornament. Maybe my staring tugged at her heartstrings.
Normally, I would be embarrassed revealing any sort of emotion, especially to near strangers, but that’s why I’m here—to be vulnerable, to lean into my feelings instead of shutting them off.
I dip my chin to look at the picture in the frame.
I expected it to be one of her granddaughter or a family photo, but instead, it’s a younger version of Holly and Bob standing in front of this very restaurant.
They have wide smiles on their faces, and the neon sign outside is brand new.
If I squint, I can see a banner in the back that reads “Grand Opening.”
The hunger I’d been feeling turns into a different kind of need.
It’s the same hunger I carried as a young girl desiring to learn about the world, to devour every scrap of knowledge I could find.
Later, it grew into an obsession with real estate and business along with a drive to succeed, to mold myself into everything I believed I wanted. No, not wanted—needed to be.
The granddaughter laughs, drawing my focus across the room.
The people are back to ignoring me, laughing and eating food.
The Christmas music seems to have gotten louder, and I notice the holiday lights and decor around the space.
It’s festive, but more importantly, it has soul, heart.
It’s not stark and bleak like the home I saw my future self in or another cookie-cutter business.
This place means something, and that’s important.
I roll my shoulders back and look at Holly and Bob. Their gazes haven’t left me, and I see the weariness in their eyes. My chest tightens at the distress I’ve caused them, and I hope they let me make things right.
“You don’t have to say yes right now or ever,” I say with determination. “I’ll understand if you tell me to leave and never come back. But if you’re open to it, I’d like to work with you to increase your revenue, to keep Holly’s Restaurant open for years to come.”
Bob straightens while Holly eyes me skeptically. “Why the change of heart?” She bristles. “Just three nights ago, you couldn’t care less what happened to this place. You only cared about Northlight’s bottom line and your job.”
“If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me.” Nobody would.
Holly takes a step forward and stares into my eyes like she’s trying to see into my soul. See my truth. “You’re being serious?”
The corner of my mouth lifts. “I don’t joke about business, Mrs. Gibson.”
“Are you doing this because your boss told you to?”
I shake my head. “I’m here because I want to help and I think you and your family belong in Garland. It wouldn’t be the same without you.”
There’s a long pause, and her gaze narrows. My palms turn clammy while I wait for her to speak. I may not deserve her forgiveness, and I understand if she wants me to fuck off, but I hope she doesn’t.
She stares a bit longer, and just when I think she’s going to tell me to leave, her brow relaxes, and her eyes soften before she nods.
“Would you like to join us for Christmas breakfast?” She gestures toward the table with her chin.
Her family is still enjoying their time together, her granddaughter playing with her sister or a family member similar in age. The other girl has round cheeks and red hair like mine. The two girls giggle conspiratorially, and the blonde girl hugs the other one. My heart pangs.
“Thank you, but I have somewhere I need to be.” I look back at the table once more before I hold out my hand to Holly. The last time I was here, she wouldn’t shake it, but this time, she does.
My chest fills with warmth, and I smile at the older woman and her husband. “I’ll be in touch soon. We’ll figure things out, I promise.”
“Thank you.”
I want to say “don’t thank me.” I’m the one who caused her pain to begin with.
Or at the very least, I was the messenger of it.
But before I can, she wraps me in a hug.
The move is surprising, and what’s even more surprising is the way I melt into it.
When was the last time someone just hugged me like this?
My eyes sting, and I hug her back, pulling away before I actually cry. I clear my throat and say my goodbyes quickly. I’m halfway to my car when Holly calling my name stops me in my tracks. I turn around in the chilly parking lot to see her smiling face.
“Yes?” I ask.
“Merry Christmas, Greer.”
My body warms at her words, and my smile back is equally as bright. The words I never thought I’d say and mean again tumble from my lips. “Merry Christmas, Holly.”