Mistletoe Miracles

Chapter 3

Staring out the window at the falling snow, I sip on the candy cane hot chocolate from Tim Hortons and sigh. The last two weeks have been hell since finding Jacob in bed with Jessica. Jacob had come to my condo the next day, banging on the door and demanding to be let in as I had bolted the chain lock before stumbling into the guest room bed. The thought of sleeping in the main bedroom where he had been f*****g my so-called best friend behind my back made me sick.

I remember standing just out of sight in the hall, yelling at Jacob to leave before I made good on my threat of calling the police. He didn't believe I would do such a thing, and so I backed away into the living room and dialed 9-1-1. After explaining to the operator about finding my now ex-boyfriend in bed with my best friend and how he was banging at my door and making a scene, the police came instantly. At first, they asked him to leave, stating he was causing a public disturbance, but my idiotic ex turned around and punched an Officer. In the end, the Officer Jacob punched had cuffed Jacob, and dragged him away.

I spent the day packing all of Jacob's things, recording the process and then called his brother to come and retrieve them as Jacob and I were done. I thought that would be the end of it, but I was wrong. News of what Jessica had done to me spread like wildfire. It wasn't because I told anyone right away, but because she was caught by Alice bad-mouthing how I had kicked her out of my home and acted like a psychotic woman because she was just hanging out with Jacob. I came back from my break and was confronted by many of the staff and, in the end, I forwarded the email to my friends at the hospital. H.R. soon heard about this but with so many people testifying that Jessica had been the one to start the drama and I was only just clearing my name, Jessica was fired as a surgeon and I was given a verbal warning.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Turning to find Alice walking towards me, two treat bags from the bakery down the street, I smile at her and motioned for her to join me.

"Just thinking about how my life has turned to shit." I admitted, thanking Alice as she handed me a bag and found two Christmas sugar cookies in the bag. Taking out the snowman sugar cookie, I bite off the head and chew on it, the sweet treat reminding me that this Christmas was not a happy one for me.

"I have just been throwing myself into work, trying to stay away from my condo as much as possible." I continued, feeling tears sting my eyes.

"Hell, I haven't even decorated that stupid Christmas tree that I put up four weeks ago. I just can't bring myself to enjoy the Christmas season." Alice sighs, wrapping an arm around my shoulder and leaning her head against my shoulder.

"I know this holiday sucks, but you can't keep working yourself to the bone, Mari." She says, her words calm and soothing.

"You have shadows under your eyes so dark that it looks like someone punched you, you nearly fell asleep looking over an exam result, and you became jittery and jumpy from lack of sleep." I take a deep breath as Alice continues speaking, her words hitting me hard. She is right, I haven't been sleeping since finding Jacob deep inside Jessica. Every time I close my eyes, I feel like I am back in that doorway, going through the betrayal over and over again.

"I don't know what to do, Alice." I whispered, feeling my voice c***k as I fought back tears.

"Did you ever call your mom back and talk to her about going home for the three weeks you took off?" She asks instead, pulling back to look at me. I shake my head no, guilt taking hold as I think about my mother. I had called her after the police hauled Jacob away, explaining what had happened and finding myself breaking down. She was the one who told me to pack everything of his away and have someone take his things. Was the one who told me to record the process so that Jacob couldn't come back stating I broke his things.

After that, she would call me to check on me every day, no matter the time. It felt nice having her support when she lived so far away. Of course, she would try to convince me that I shouldn't be alone this Christmas and should come back home. Every time she brought up the holidays, I would change the subject or tell her I just got an emergency call before hanging up. I know its the season to be jolly, but I feel so far removed from the holiday spirit that I think Christmas is going to skip me.

"Call your mom, Marissa. Tell her you will be joining them for your three-week vacation and be with your family." Alice declares, her stern tone making me frown.

"But what if I ruin the holidays for her. You know how much my mom loves Christmas." I protested, setting my cup of hot chocolate on the window sill.

"Maybe you will, maybe you might find that Christmas joy you need right now with people who truly love you." Alice argues back, crossing her arms and glaring at me. Running my hands through my hair, I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Maybe Alice is right. Maybe I need some time away from the city, away from my condo, to be with family and family only.

"Fine." I finally give in, opening my eyes to see Alice staring at me with relief.

'I'll call her after my shift and talk to her about coming home for Christmas." Alice smiles, pulling me in for a hug. Her actions make me smile and laugh, something I felt like I hadn't done in the last two weeks, and I find myself being happy that she and I became friends fast on the first day of our residency.