2. Chapter 2
two
A nnie was too exhausted to cry over Chris as she tucked herself into Molly and Peter’s guest bed.
After sleeping in late and finishing her article with no time to spare, Annie joined Molly in her living room.
The space was homey, with its toasted almond carpet and warm yellow walls.
A large picture window overlooked the driveway.
Molly immediately handed Annie a fleece blanket and a mug of tea.
They curled up on a oversized sage green couch.
The living room TV droned on at a low volume, and their mugs sat on the wood coffee table.
Annie pulled the blanket over her shoulders.
Molly cuddled under the sunflower-themed grandma crocheted blanket that complimented her long, curly, red hair.
“You always seem... uptight around him,” Molly held up her freckled hands. “You already got one foot out the door. I don’t want to ruin things if you go back... but... you seem really, really...”
“Mismatched?” Annie supplied.
“I was going to say ‘over it.’” A wry look shone in Molly’s hazel eyes. She scrunched up her mouth. “Can I please say that even if you won’t admit it?”
When they’d picked Annie up, Peter had held his wife’s hand as if he were afraid Molly would storm right into the house party. If Annie chose to forgive Chris and hope for the best, Molly could never be in the same room as Chris ever again.
“I mean, I can’t tell you what to do... but he’s being a huge douche-canoe.”
Annie nodded, numb.
Molly’s eyes swiveled to the floor. Her mouth broke into a grin.
“Oh my goodness. Look how cute Belly is!” she crooned.
She snatched her phone up and took a picture.
Her dog, Isabelle, slept under the coffee table.
The jack terrier mix let out a little snore.
Her white and brown head rested on Peter’s slippers, which were nearly as big as her.
Annie smiled and fiddled with her hair.
Nearly three years before, they’d gone together to pick out the sweet little dog, the runt of the litter, as Molly’s college graduation present to herself. Thousands of photos existed of Bell.
Molly took a sip of her tea. “I think we can salvage some relationships. It’s your relationship. Not mine. And only if both people work on things.” Molly looked sternly over her mug at Annie. “You don’t, right. Want to? He’s always been an asshole.”
Annie cringed. Chris hadn’t “always been an asshole.” The words to defend him tipped her tongue when his own words interrupted the thought.
“Don’t be so fucking boring.”
Annie picked up her red mug. She studied the earl gray and tapped the ceramic surface with her fingernail.
“I would’ve exploded on him months ago if I were you.”
Annie sighed. “Well, he’s been more of an asshole since he started spending more time around friends.”
Molly let out a bitter snicker. “Remember your New Year’s party? They belted out Jingle Bells to your Christmas tree before one of their dogs knocked it over. I didn’t see one of ‘em acknowledge you once when you spoke. They weren’t very inviting to me–”
“I think they noticed you were glaring–”
“I know– or even Peter. You can’t have that many shitty friends and not be a shitty person.”
“I’m not great at opening people up, either, though.”
Molly stared at Annie. She then shook her head. “No, they’re jerks. Repeat after me. They... are...”
“Jerks?”
“Jerks.”
Yes, Molly was right. But it still didn’t stop the self-doubt.
Maybe I give too little... Maybe I’m cold... Maybe I am too obsessed with work and it’s turning me into Miss Boring? It hadn’t escaped her that Christopher’s friends hadn’t exactly taken to her. Maybe they thought he deserved better. Someone full of life with a smile that reached her eyes.
“Annie?” Molly’s soft voice broke through Annie’s thoughts. She set her mug down. “You okay there?”
Chris always preached that when people offered a helping hand, one shouldn’t reward them with negativity.
Molly and Peter had so generously taken her in.
Annie snapped out of it. She forced a smile, even though that was the last thing she felt like doing.
“Yeah, I’m good. Thanks for letting me stay here. ”
“Of course! C’mere.” Molly leaned forward with a grunt and hugged her. “Guest room is yours ‘til Friday, hun. Peter’s parents are visiting this weekend.”
Where’ll I go after that? The couch? Is that too awkward?
Molly and Peter weren’t responsible for her life — and while they were actively trying for another pregnancy, it was only a matter of time before their guest room really did become a nursery.
The last thing Annie wanted was to threaten her friend’s dreams .
Was it too soon to find a place to rent? In the middle of the month? Could she keep a place alone? Her mind spun. Molly pulled her warm arms away. Certainly, she couldn’t expect Molly to coddle and accommodate her every little woe. Even the most patient people had their breaking point.
Annie twisted the ends of her jaw-length blond hair. Does it need another trim?
“Why are you making that face?”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry.”
“Just... worried.”
“It’s okay, Annie.”
“Will your in-laws be okay if I sleep on the couch?”
“Yeah, why wouldn’t they? It’s my house, and you’re my friend.” Molly smiled. “Actually. I had a better idea. Why don’t you stay at the cabin? You can stay as long as you like.”
Annie’s eyes widened. The cabin, which belonged to Molly's parents, had always been a special place. They'd spent countless summers there, hiking in the woods, telling ghost stories in the dark of Molly's bedroom. Annie felt a lump form in her throat. “I wouldn't want to impose.”
“I was gonna suggest it even if they weren’t coming to town. And before you even think it, I’m not telling you to get lost. I think a getaway would be helpful.”
“I appreciate the offer... but... Wouldn’t your parents feel weird? About a non-family member using it?”
“Annie, you’re basically my sister. They ask how you’re doing all the time. And my parents are house hunting in Arizona. The cabin’s practically mine.”
“But the internet’s terrible. Hardly any cell service.”
“A neighbor lives there full-time. Handy guy. He installed something at our cabin for my dad that helped, apparently. I don’t know. The Wi-Fi works better there than it does here. Annie, just go. I’ll kidnap and drive you there if I haveta.”
“Really?”
“Of course.” Molly smiled. “The mountain air’ll clear your head. I just know it.”
“If you’re gonna twist my arm.”
“Get some rest, and maybe help me tidy a bit before you go…? I hate having Trisha think I let Peter live in a pigsty. I’ve been so tired, I can’t keep up with his mess.” Molly tucked her legs beneath her. She rubbed her eyes, a grim expression replacing her smile.
“Oh, Molly.” The memory of the post Chris had shown her popped into Annie’s mind’s eye. “I saw the picture of us you posted online. I haven’t seen that photo in years… I’m sorry I didn’t see it sooner. Or been around much.”
A smile flickered at the corner of Molly’s mouth. “It was too good not to share. That’s all.”
“Those summer days were pretty great, huh?” She searched for what more to say.
Life seemed like a struggle anymore. Work.
Stressful boyfriend. And although Molly was typically bright-eyed and confident, she herself was still emotionally recovering from an unexpected second trimester miscarriage the previous fall. “They feel so far away.”
“Yeah.” Molly sighed and plastered a fresh grin on her face, almost as if someone had walked into the room and shouted, ‘smile!’ She said, “You’re going to detox from Chris. Take care of yourself. Figure out the next step.”
Annie pursed her mouth, her thoughts turning back to the generous offer.
Hadn’t Chris said she was neglecting her self-care?
Told her to take it easy? Flashing her friend a genuine smile, she said, “Thank you.” But truthfully, she didn’t know what she wanted outside of freelancing, and right now she didn’t have a ton of money left over after bills.
Her hands went back to her hair. “Do you think I’d look good with a pixie? ”
“Uh... yes... but...” Molly grimaced. “Maybe a crisis haircut isn’t what you need right now.”
“I’ve been thinkin’ about it... Not just now.”
“You went from brunette to platinum. And shoulder length to chin length. A month ago.” Molly leveled her gaze at Annie. “Don’t do it, Annie. Don’t listen to the stress.” Her freckled cheeks bubbled into a smile. “I’ve no doubt it’d look so cute, though.”
Smiling shyly, Annie relented. “Maybe no haircut then.”
Under the table, Bell scratched her neck before she joined them on the couch. The little dog nosed Molly’s shoulder and wagged her short tail.
“Hey, kid. How is you?” Molly scratched Bell’s brown ears and spotted neck. “Awww, is it supper? That why you’re awakey? Yeah, you’re hungry.”
Annie leaned over and patted Bell’s spotted back.
“This might be my exhaustion talking, but we’re getting takeout, and now.” Molly picked up her phone. “I haven’t seen you eat a stick of food all day.”
Annie perked up. “I can cook?” She’d been too sick or tired to cook lately, and she missed it.
Molly smiled sadly. “Oh... You really have eaten nothing... Otherwise you would’ve seen how barren my fridge is. We’re going shopping tomorrow. Chinese sound good, hun? My treat.”