The Writers Christmas Vacation

chapter 17

Aliza's funeral landed on a cold, damp, snowy day. It was almost a blizzard outside and, selfishly, Melissa wished the funeral would be canceled. She wasn't in much of a mood to go to it.

That would mean running into her. Mary. Just the thought of that made Melissa's stomach turn. It made her clench her fists in anger, until her nails practically cut into the palms of her hands.

When it came time for the funeral on the afternoon of February 20th, Melissa got in her car and headed to the funeral home. Alone.

That was what she kept realizing: She was alone.

Would always be alone.

Might never have a friend again.

She was utterly alone.

She kept pitying herself. Heck, people at the cafe she had started going to a week ago were even pitying her - which didn't really help her feel any better about the situation.

Bella had started cuddling more with her which was somewhat reassuring at night.

But that didn't help her with the fact that her editor was dead and her agent would never speak to her again.

She wanted to apologize to Mary about the accusation - had tried calling her a few times, actually. Mary never picked up the phone though.

Which is why, when Melissa saw Mary at the funeral home, she was completely surprised.

Mary had seen her first, though and here she was, walking straight towards Melissa, with a small smirk on her face. She was up to something. Someone - a man - was with her.

After exchanging hellos with each other, Melissa had enough with the chitchat and finally demanded, "What do you want, Mary?"

"I want to apologize."

"Well....wait....what?" Surely Melissa had heard that wrong. Why would Mary be apologizing to her when she had been the one to accuse her friend of something illegal.

"I - can we go somewhere to talk?"

They left the room and went into the lobby. "How's this?"

"Fine."

"What did you want to chat about?"

"The truth." Mary looked down and pretended to inspect her fingernails. In reality, she was thinking of the right thing to say.

"About what?"

"Aliza. I think I know who killed her."

"What?! You need to tell the police."

"I can't. They won't believe me....it was Perry."

"You mean my brother Perry? But that's impossible. He's been out of town for a few months."

"No, he hasn't. He's been hiding."

"Hiding?!" Melissa was having all she could do to hide her astonishment. She was getting angrier with each passing moment.

Mary knew that Perry had been hiding from her and had refused to tell Melissa until now? Didn't she realize that was considered hiding a fugitive?

Melissa wondered if she should call the police.

She thought of a question: "Where?"

"Huh?" Mary asked distractedly.

"Where is Perry?"

"Why?"

"He's a fugitive. You need to tell the police."

"It's not like that! Something darker is going on Melissa. You wouldn't understand."

Melissa let out a small laugh. "Try me!" It was meant to sound threatening. Instead, the words sounded weak. She choked on them as she spoke.