Chapter 5: Deb & Deid
1748 Words
Deidra's P.O.V.
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By the time I was released, it was nearly the next day. Captain Russo wasn't too happy that I made him wait so long. It didn't help that the president of the Salvation Knights showed up in the middle of it all to get Honey either. The man was pi.ssed. I'd seen War around town, served him at the diner and Garden Sip. He's a beast of a man and fu.cking scary-looking. He's a few years older than me, but he's always looked so intimidating. Not that I've ever gone out of my way to befriend any of the MC guys. Or anyone at all, for that matter.
Apparently War and Captain Russo have a bit of history or something. The captain was actually apologizing to the MC president when I walked into his office. I was shocked and didn't even try to hide it. War looked at me for a moment, probably wondering why I was there, and then left without a word. Captain Russo made me tell him all the details about what happened. Then I had to write a statement. After that, he let me go. It was made clear that I was only being given a slap on the wrist because of his relationship he had with my parents.
Not sure if the captain expected some sort of gratitude for that, but all he got was a "thanks" as I walked out. They could have treated me just like everyone else. I would have deserved it. I'm not going to be overly thankful because someone decided I should get special treatment.
Deb was waiting for me just outside the police station. She looked worried and frazzled. I felt bad for keeping her waiting for so long. Especially since she already wasn't feeling good. I'm not only pathetic, but also selfish, apparently.
"Thank god, Deidra," she said as she pulled me into her arms. "You had me so worried. What happened?"
I sighed and pushed out of her arms.
"Give me the keys," I said. "I'll drive us home and tell you all about it. "
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"I never liked Sophie," Deb grumbled as I pulled into the driveway of my childhood home.
It was hard to live here without my parents. Of course, I had to get over that if I wanted to keep the house. Deb and I managed to push through all the misery and find warmth in the house though. It took a while for it to feel like home again, but we eventually got there. Right now, the two-story house is decorated with colorful Christmas lights. There's a huge blow-up polar bear on one side of the yard, and a huge blow-up snow globe on the other side. We put out a few of the light-up deer that move too.
My parents used to do way more decorating for Christmas than just this. They really always went all out. Mom would tell me stories about her Christmases as a kid. She lost her family in a fire when she was away during her first year of college. Lost her parents, siblings, all her childhood memories, everything. Dad never had good stories to tell about the holidays. He always said that his good memories didn't start until he met Mom. Then he would tell me about their very first Christmas together and how it was a disaster. He was in foster care all his life, so I could see why he probably didn't have anything good to say.
"I know," I replied to Deb before getting out of the car. "I'm going to walk home. I'll see you later."
"Excuse me young lady? You will do no such thing," Deb stated, making me gulp.
"It's only two miles-"
"I don't care," she cut me off. "You can stay here for now. I'll take you home after you've gotten some sleep."
"Deb, I have to open the shop soon, and-"
"I will handle everything, you just-"
"No, I can't let you do th-"
"Yes you can! I'm there to help-"
"It's my baby!"
"I don't care!"
"But you're sick!"
"It's just a little cold! I'm fine!"
"Ugh!" I screamed in frustration, knowing I wasn't going to win.
"Taking one day off isn't going to kill you, Deidra," Deb said as we walked to the front porch. "You deserve one after the night you had."
I know she's right, but... the more work I do, the better I'll be. I need something to throw my energy into. But Deb has a point. I had a long night and I have a long day ahead of me. I'm sure I'm in for a lot of long days ahead.
"I'm sorry you had to go through all of this, and while you're sick too," I said as I closed and locked the front door.
"Nonsense, it's just a cold," she brushed me off before inspecting me with her eyes. "Are you sure you're alright, honey?" She asked. "You seem... angry, understandably so. But you haven't cried or anything. I know that you thought you and Theo loved each other. I know that despite what a cr.ap person Sophie is, you loved her dearly. Honey, talk to me."
I blew out a breath as I plopped on the couch. I leaned my head back and stared at the ceiling. After a moment, Deb sat next to me. She didn't push me. She knew I'd start talking when I was ready. I just wasn't sure what to say, because I wasn't sure about anything to begin with. I was still processing the fact that I caught my best friend and fiancé in my bed together. They ruined my future, my Christmas, my perfect wedding venue.
"I don't know what to do now," I admitted. "Sophie literally planned the entire thing. She knew what she was doing. The fact that they were planning a date in my apartment behind my back because they thought it was extra spicy makes me sick. Part of me thinks that I would have understood if it was something that just happened, but this... this was deliberate. I was a joke to them. So much so that they expected me to not only be okay with their relationship, but support them too. It makes me wonder what a doormat I've been all this time. All the times I just let Sophie have her way because I didn't really care. She mistook that for me being a pushover. And Theo... well, he's just a weak man. I thought he loved me though. I thought what we had was special, at least. That it meant something. And they were... they were my future. The one I'd been picturing in my head and planning for. And within seconds, like I didn't matter at all, it all came crumbling down, and now... Now, I don't know what to do."
"You don't have to make any decisions right away," Deb said, grabbing my hand and squeezing. "Let him handle all the canceling of the wedding and-"
"Oh god, how'd I forget to tell you that part?" I grumbled, interrupting her.
"What part? Did he already cancel the wedding? That jack.ass!" She ranted.
I shook my head and scoffed.
"No, the wedding's still happening," I muttered.
When Deb didn't reply, I looked up at her. All she did was blink at me.
"Are you absolutely fu.cking kidding me?" She blurted, making me snort. Deb rarely ever curses and when she does, I always find it hilarious. She has this deadpan way of saying things. It's hilarious to me.
"I don't know what to do, Deb," I said. "I mean, I even booked up this Christmas trip. A weekend in Colorado. I was going to surprise him with it. A little mini vacation before our wedding. A cabin in the woods. He'd never had a white Christmas before, and we used to go there with my parents... I feel like such a fool."
"You shouldn't," she replied, tucking a strand of my curly hair behind my ear. "I think you should go. In fact, I think you should extend it. Leave Monday, stay until the New Year."
"What?" I asked with wide eyes. "That's... like, like two full weeks. Are you insane??"
"Deidra, you've worked nonstop since you were old enough to have a job," Deb said gently. "You've never taken a day off. I can manage the shop for that long. It's the holidays anyway. The shop will be closed most of the time. You and I never really do much other than dinner and exchanging gifts. We can do that when you get back. I think you deserve a little getaway. Somewhere that you won't have to be constantly reminded of your family and now this betrayal."
"I don't know Deb," I mumbled. "I'd have to call and see if they can even do that for me."
"Call first thing when you wake up," she told me.
"I don't know about this," I said unsure.
"Deidra, you've never done anything for yourself," she replied. "Please, do this for me. Do this in spite of those two. Go off, have the vacation of your life, flirt with every hot guy you see, take a breather, and when you come back... rub in their faces how much you don't care."
"That's easier said than done Deb," I mumbled. "They'll think I ran away."
"Let them," she replied with a shrug. "Deidra, this is your life, but it's never felt like you've been living it. Not to me anyway. You never got in trouble, never wanted to go out with your friends, never had a boyfriend. You've always stuck to yourself and worked your butt off. It's time for you to have some fun. Go experience life outside this town and your parents' shadows."
"They'd probably want me to go too, huh?" I muttered.
Deb beamed at me.
"They most certainly would," she said. "And who knows? Maybe you'll get a Christmas miracle."
"Okay, let's not push our luck," I replied.
"Just go for it, Deid," she said gently. "Take a risk for once. Know that I have your back."
I blew out a long breath.
"Okay, fine, I'll do it," I declared, making Deb squeal.
Maybe this is exactly what I need. A break from the town I love. Just a little breather. And maybe Deb is right.
Maybe there will be some sort of Christmas miracle.
- Writer
