Another Cliche Christmas by Sarah Hualde

Author:Sarah Hualde [Hualde, Sarah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781732506206
Publisher: Indie Christian Writers
Published: 2018-07-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Emily rapped on Lydia’s door until her knuckles ached. She rang and rang the bell and hopped from foot to foot. “On my way,” Lydia called from inside the house. The knot in Emily’s throat loosened enough for her to catch a full breath. Lydia’s eyes popped at the unexpected guest. She ushered in and the teenager nearly ran into the living room.

Lydia took a glance around the block, from the safety of her front door. Nothing stood out as abnormal or menacing. “Was someone chasing you?” She questioned. Emily just shrugged.

“They could have been.” Emily plopped reckless and boneless onto the couch. She tossed her grimy boots over the arm and flung herself back. Lydia smiled. Joan often struck the same hapless and dramatic pose of frustrated surrender. It tickled Lydia that Emily felt safe enough to do the same. Then again, the girl might just lack decent manners.

“Who could have been?” Lydia sat in the easy chair opposite the couch. It smelled of Ethan’s cologne. She snuggled up, mentally, to her absent husband.

“I’m not sure. I’m just scared. “Emily laced her fingers together and twisted them in worry. She bit her lip until Lydia was afraid it would bleed.

“Well, as long as Mr. Mike knows where you’re at and gives his permission, you’re welcome to stay on my couch until you feel safe again. I’d love to offer you more than a place to hide. I would love to help you. But I need to know what’s going on. What's made you so afraid?”

Emily sat straight and stared into the Christmas tree lights. “You will be mad.”

“It’s possible. I do promise to listen with an open mind. Go ahead, when you’re ready.”

“I lied to you. But I had to. I promised. You don’t understand. You’ve got this nice house and a nice family. We have none of that. We only have our friends and even they move and change.”

“Who are we?” Emily’s eyes shot from the ornaments to Lydia and then back.

“Me… and… me and Ivy.” Lydia struggled to keep her expression steady and not attack the child with questions. “I’ve been talking to her. After you asked me about her, the first time.”

“Then she’s safe?” Though her face hid her frustration and fear, her voice echoed excitability.

Emily’s eyes teared, and she crumbled back onto the couch cushions. Lydia sank to her knees. She was positive horrible news was coming but comforted the misguided girl. Emily took her nearness as an invitation to solace and flung herself on Lydia’s neck soaking her shoulder in tears. Finally, she said “I don’t know. I haven’t heard from her in nine days.”

“Nine days!” Lydia added up all the damage that could happen to a teenage girl in nine days’ time. She also remembered that Martin Levere wasn’t in the hospital for seven of those days.

Emily took Lydia’s expostulation as pointed wrath and separated from the embrace. She propped herself against the couch and dried her eyes. Lydia patted her foot, trying to show she was undisturbed but eager for the truth.

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