Mia
After work, I didn’t go back to Mom’s. Instead, I went to the mall. The entire place was filled with Christmas, from Santa’s grotto to elves running around, fake snowmen, and massive baubles hanging from a tree.
I stared at everything as I went from one shop to the other, looking for the perfect tree. I ended up with a green one with fake white snow and wild berries with acorns, the lights already fitted in.
It’s eight feet tall and beautiful. It’s a bit pricey, but we need this for Mom to have the house decorated. She’ll be home in a couple of weeks—at least I’m hoping—and I want it to be Christmassy for her.
As I struggle with a handful of bags, my phone rings loudly, prompting me to drop them completely. They land with a thud in the snow.
I don’t even look at the screen. It cou
