“Oh.” Some of my excitement deflates, knowing I can’t show her my surprise soon.
“Is everything alright?”
“Yes, all’s fine. I was home early, just wondering where you were.”
“We are close to finishing. I should be home in an hour. I’ll see you then.”
After whispering a quiet goodbye, Merida ends the call.
I stare at my phone for several minutes and then dial Em.
“Hey, girl. How’re you doing?” Her voice is muffled by the all-too-familiar background noises.
“I’m good. Are you in the park?”
“Yes, they’re doing rehearsal for the Christmas parade.”
Hearing the unforgettable Christmas music, a scene of the Christmas parade and the small Christmas market in Cherrywood floats in front of my eyes. “Sometimes I do miss home.”
“Yeah, this shit is addictive.” Em must have walked away from the crowd because the noises subside. I’m sure she is going to our secret place by the lake. “So tell me, how’s life in the big city?”
I snort. “St. Peppers is not a big city. But life’s good. Vanessa confirmed my job today and made me her assistant in the next fashion show. My design will be the showstopper.”
Em squeals in happiness, making me jump in my seat and Snowy, who was moments before resting next to me, leaps to the ground. The kitten gives me the stink eye, or a kitty version of the stink eye, before walking away.
“You just made Snowy angry.”
“How’s the cat?” Em asks in between laughter.
Courtesy of our copious text exchange, she is fully up to date of the goings-on in this house.
“Good. She has taken quite a shine to Keith.”
“Ahem, how’s the hawt, grouchy landlord?” Em’s squeaky voice makes me giggle.
“Same hawt, less grouchy.” I remember my last outing with Keith while we were grocery shopping and then in the café. The way he held my hand, the intensity of his gaze, the quivering feeling he gave me.
“Uh-huh. You can’t hide the dreaminess in your voice, even if you want to.”
“That’s so not true,” I blatantly lie, and for a change, Em lets me off the hook.
Out of the blue, she says, “You be careful today, Clem. I have a feeling today is going to be a difficult day.” Her tone is the same whenever those self-proclaimed, mystical, out-of-this-world powers kick in, telling her about the future.
“You’re right. Today was a difficult day.” I remember my mother’s stormy arrival in Vanshionista. “But it’s over. Now, I just want to enjoy dinner with Keith and Mere.”
“Still. Be careful, Clem.”
After ending the call, I check the timer. It’s still ten minutes till everything will be ready. I go back to Mere’s room to check that all the decorations are in place. As I fix one of the streamers, I hear the main door open.
“Mere.” I walk out of her bedroom into the living room. All the alarms in my head start ringing upon seeing the two men standing beside the couch.
“W-who are you?”
“Are you the daughter?” the older of the two men glares at me head to toe.
Mom? My stupid brain screams, but that can’t be true.
My mom’s security is all British. These are thugs, and their accent, it’s something…Eastern European.