Chapter 28 #2
She wondered if there was any sort of holiday party the Friendsgiving guests attended.
Last year she’d managed to go back to her hometown for Christmas, only because she’d been invited by her godmother.
Her godmother had promised to tell her parents to back off.
It had been a fantastic trip, and most importantly, Chad-free.
Hannah had thought she was home free when it had come to Chad, but for some reason he was trying to get back into her life now.
It was like her grandmother used to say about certain people, they just kept turning up like a bad penny. Hannah wasn’t sure exactly what a bad penny was, but she got the gist. Cathy placed her large mug on the low table in front of them and sat down slowly in the empty chair.
“Is everything okay?” Hannah asked.
Cathy nodded and rubbed her knee. “My knee’s been acting up.
That usually happens when it’s about to rain or, this time of year, snow.
” She took a sip of her coffee and licked the foam off the top of her lip.
“I came here just for the eggnog latte. I was going to get it to-go, but then I saw you and thought it would be lovely to enjoy my coffee with you. Especially since this chair was open. It’s the best seat in the house. ”
“I hate to keep you from something,” Hannah said automatically even though she was thrilled to spend time with Cathy.
Cathy shook her head, “You aren’t keeping me. I’ve got a Zoom call with my agent in a couple hours, and then I’m taking Munchie—you remember my dog, right?”
“Of course! Such a cute pup!” Hannah exclaimed since she was about eighty percent sure she was remembering the right dog from the Halloween event at Kate’s shop.
“We have an appointment to get our picture taken with the Grinch.”
“Ah, that explains your festive outfit!”
Cathy leaned toward Hannah, “When you get to know me better, you’ll know I don’t need a reason to wear an ugly sweater. My late wife used to knit, and she made me some beautiful ‘ugly’ sweaters.”
“I love that! Did she make that one?”
Cathy sighed. “No, this one I got last year on after Christmas clearance. I thought it would be fun for the picture.”
Hannah tilted her head. “I think most people are just getting the pet’s picture taken.”
Cathy laughed. “What’s the fun in that? I’m planning to use the picture for my Christmas cards. Speaking of that, do you like getting Christmas cards? I’ll mail you one if you give me your address.”
Hannah swallowed a lump in her throat. “I would love that. Do you want me to put my info in your phone?”
Cathy unlocked her phone and handed it to Hannah. “I have an address book at home that is over thirty years old at this point. That’s where my master Christmas card list is. I rarely use my phone for addresses; you’d better send me a text so I don’t forget to add you to my list.”
“I’ll make sure you check it twice,” Hannah joked.
There was a glint in Cathy’s eye, and she responded. “I hope you aren’t too nice.”
Hannah blushed. “Honestly, I’m probably too nice.”
Cathy patted Hannah’s knee. “That’s perfectly fine. Too many people are mean these days. That’s another reason why I stick to writing my little love stories and skip dating.”
Hannah took a sip of her drink. She wasn’t sure what to say. Before she could formulate a response, Cathy spoke again.
“Enough about me, how are things? Are you and Kate staying in Marley Creek for Christmas or going to one of your family’s homes?”
Hannah’s chest tightened. Would Cathy still want to send her a card once she knew Kate had broken things off with her? She took off her glasses, cleaned them off with the sleeve of her shirt and put them back on. “Kate and I aren’t seeing each other anymore.”
Cathy frowned, “Dammit. I was really hoping—I mean, you two are so lovely together. Based on what I know of Kate, I’m going to guess she was the one who pulled away.”
Hannah nodded, unable to get any words out. She pinched the bridge of her nose, willing the tears to stay back.
Bad knee or not, Cathy was up in a flash to rub her back. “In this case, it’s her. It’s not you. She’s a fool—and I’m going to tell her that this afternoon!”
Hannah’s breath hitched. She was shocked that Cathy would be protective of her, not Kate, her longtime friend.
Cathy continued talking, “I love Kate, I really do. She is a good person. But when it comes to opening up, she’s the worst. In all the time I’ve known her, you are the only person she’s dated that I’ve met, and after watching the way she looked at you that night, everyone could see she’s crazy about you. ”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Consider giving her a little time and a second chance? It is the Christmas season, when anything can happen.”
Hannah leaned her head against Cathy’s side. She was surprised at the bond strengthening between them so quickly. Maybe it was the time of year, or she had just found a kindred spirit in an unlikely place. “It’s one of the reasons I love this time of year,” she said. “Magic feels so possible.”
“I’m thrilled to meet another Christmas aficionado,” Cathy said.
Hannah felt her cheeks flush again. “I don’t know exactly how to say this, but I’m thrilled to meet another queer woman here in town.”
“You’ve said it just fine.” She shrugged. “Queer, lesbian, lady who loves the ladies.”
Hannah smiled. “I feel so comfortable around you. It’s like—” Cathy gestured for Hannah to stop, “Please do not say it’s like I’m your grandma! Ack!”
Hannah shook her head, “I was going to say, it’s like I’ve known you for years.”
Cathy wiped her hand across her brow, which was hidden by her hat. “That’s a relief. It stinks being reminded you are old. In my head, I still think I’m your age.”
“In my head, sometimes I feel really old,” Hannah admitted.
“Oh, hun,” Cathy said, “if it’s about Kate, like I said, give her some time. I know she’ll come to her senses and realize what you two have.”
Hannah finished off her coffee. She’d almost started to tell Cathy it wasn’t Kate that made her feel old and worn down; it was the worries about Chad showing up.
But she’d dumped enough trauma on this poor woman for one day.
“Thank you for saying that and for adding me to your Christmas card list. I can’t wait to see that card! ”
“It was great to see you this morning.” Cathy stood and gave Hannah a big hug. Hannah would never tell Cathy, but when she was wrapped in Cathy’s arms pressed against her soft body, she had a sensory memory of the hugs she used to get from her grandmother.
When the hug was over, Cathy walked out of Common Grounds and Hannah got up and went to the back of the coffee shop.
There was a bookcase full of books to borrow.
Hannah perused the books and found an old mystery with a cat wearing a Santa hat on the cover.
She pulled it out and sat down to read for a while.
Laundry and an empty refrigerator were waiting for her back home, but she wasn’t feeling productive at the moment.
After getting a couple of mini vanilla scones and a cup of peppermint tea, Hannah sunk into her book.
People came in and out of the café, but she was deep into the story of an amateur sleuth with a talking cat companion.
When her tea was long gone and she couldn’t ignore her bladder any longer, she put down the book and went to the bathroom.
Then she returned to her seat and pulled out her phone to see if there was an e-version available to buy so she could finish the book.
There was one, and it was on sale for only $2.
99. Hannah clicked buy. Then she returned the physical book to the shelves.
Her smartwatch said it was almost noon, so she headed home.
Once she was back home, Hannah worked on the cleaning she’d been slacking on for a few weeks.
As she mopped her floors, she replayed her conversation with Cathy.
The smell of Pine-Sol was strong in her small space, so she opened the door to her balcony.
Ever since the text from Chad on Thanksgiving, her stomach had started to flip-flop each time she looked out onto the street.
No unusual cars were outside. Hannah stopped holding her breath.
After dumping out the mop water, Hannah treated herself to a long shower and put on her Grinch-themed pajamas. The PJs always made her smile, and she was surprised to find that even with the new association of Kate dressed up as the Grinch, they were still her favorite.
Smoky was lying on the floor in a sunbeam.
His seagrass-green eyes were closed, but Hannah still talked to him as if he were her closest confidant, which he was.
“I’m so happy Cathy stopped at Common Grounds while I was there.
I feel so much better now. I thought I was just imagining Kate’s feelings for me, but she saw it too! ”
Hannah closed the sliding door and sat down on the couch.
She swiped her phone open and went back to her book.
A second murder had just occurred in Peppermint Bay when an Instagram notification popped up on her screen.
She pressed on it to push it away, and instead, her Maxim the Magnificent account opened.
Her breathing was shallow, and sweat started breaking out as she read the words from the pictureless account. Not that she needed a picture to recognize that it was Chad.
CUSoon1112222
I see you’ve been having lots of fun since you left. I can’t wait to see you, IRL. I think I’m going to move to Marley Creek too. Keep your bed ready for me.
Anxiety and adrenaline flooded her system, and she shivered like she was out in a snowstorm without a coat.
She exited the app without responding. Would he be able to see that she’d read his message?
Did it matter? She thumbed through her contacts and pulled up her godmother. She sent off a quick text message.
Hannah
Happy December! Silly question for you. Do you still talk to Chad’s aunt?
Godmother Aggie
Yes, what’s up?
Hannah’s heart rate slowed down a point. At least she didn’t have to wait hours for her godmother Aggie to reply to her text.
Hannah
Do you know if Chad moved? My mom thought he was going to.
Godmother Aggie
I can check. One sec.
Hannah paced around her apartment, waking up Smoky.
The buzzer rang, and she jumped so high she thought she could touch the ceiling.
Her heartbeat rocketed even higher. She looked at the intercom and debated answering.
Then her phone chimed. A delivery. Her heart stopped beating out of her chest. The doorbell camera she had ordered had arrived.
Now she wondered if that would be enough.
She should have gotten a camera she could put on the balcony.
Then she could see the street from inside.
When she had been looking at apartments, she’d picked a third floor on purpose because she figured that made it less likely for anyone to break in.
However, she knew Chad had charm enough to sweet-talk one of her neighbors into letting him into the building and up to her apartment.
Godmother Aggie
I guess he is in Illinois for a job.
Hannah shouted.
Son of a bitch.
That sealed the deal. There was no hope left that he wouldn’t show up in Marley Creek.
What a dumbass she was to have spent the better part of the last few days thinking she’d continue to be safe from him.
Even though she was in a full-blown panic, she didn’t want to worry her godmother or accidentally allow any word to get back to Chad somehow.
Hannah
Got it. Thanks!
Godmother Aggie
Is everything good with you? Do you want to come over again for Christmas this year?
Hannah
I’m great! I’m not sure yet, but I’ll keep you posted!
Godmother Aggie
Sounds good, luv you, hun.
Hannah
XOXO
Hannah opened her shopping app, and with a few clicks, she ordered a small outdoor camera to be delivered the next day.
“Now what?” She asked Smoky and the four walls. Hannah needed to talk to the people she trusted most. A week ago, she would already have been on her way to see Kate and ask for her support. But now? She needed her best friend and her boss who was so much more than that. She started a group text.
Emergency Chat
I know you have kids and men to take care of, but can you come over tonight? I need you both.
Brandee
What’s wrong?
Zaina
I’ll find a sitter.
Hannah
Chad. Please bring Lily along if you need to.
Brandee
Fuck.
Hannah
Yep.