pull into the driveway and the christmas lights on sarah’s house are already twinkling like they’re happy to see me even though it’s only december 23rd. my shoulders are killing me from the long drive and my bag feels heavier than it should. i knock once and the door swings open right away.
“hey leah come in honey!” vanessa says all bright and warm. she stands there in that soft red sweater that hugs her chest way too nicely for someone’s mom. 45 but her smile lights up everything and her voice is all warm honey. “sarah called she won’t be back till midnight her boyfriend surprised her with some last minute thing. it’s just us tonight sweetie.”
i step inside and the house smells like pine and cinnamon and something baking in the oven. my heart does this little flip because it’s just
