Christmas and Cannolis by Peggy Jaeger

Author:Peggy Jaeger [Jaeger, Peggy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fiction, Christmas, second chances, loss of a child, Humor, Family
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2018-09-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

Regina’s tips for surviving in a big Italian family: 6. Never be late for church.

I barely made it up the stairs to my apartment before I slammed the door and fell back against it. My breathing was still loud and choppy, and it echoed in the empty space around me. It was a wonder I was still able to stand upright. Once I closed my eyes and began breathing in through my nose then pushing the air out through my mouth, I slowly, gradually, started to calm.

As soon as I knew I wouldn’t drop to the floor in a pathetic heap, I pushed off the door, sat down at my kitchen table, and dropped my head in my hands.

Disgust galloped through me. I was such a coward, such a weakling, to have run from Mendelsohn when I should have confronted him and apologized for what I’d done six years ago. He wasn’t the reason my daughter had died, but I’d lashed out at him, blaming him for her death. His bedside manner may have left a lot to be desired—a whole lot—but the entire time he’d been responsible for her medical care, he’d done everything in his power to keep her comfortable. And while he hadn’t been able to save her from the ravages of the hateful disease, he had tried. Valiantly, I had to admit.

Tonight, I should have gone up to him and, with those six years of separation and a lifetime of emotional growth behind me, thanked him for what he’d done for Angie.

But I hadn’t. I’d bolted from the situation unable to face the tormented pain of my past. And worse, I’d left Connor in the lurch. He’d asked me to stay, to help him with the cake presentation, and I’d flown without an explanation. Not a very professional way to act. I should have been able to separate my emotions from my job, but I hadn’t. Any idea of the two of us being together now was probably over. This was his big night, and I’d run away from it, selfishly unable to be supportive because of my own raw and painful memories.

Just when I’d opened my heart again to the possibility I could be happy, I’d sabotaged the opportunity. Tears crept down my cheeks filled with sadness at what might have been.

How long I sat at the table, my own little pity party consuming me, I haven’t a clue. I didn’t know I’d fallen asleep until I felt my phone buzzing in my uniform jacket pocket.

Connor’s name danced across the screen.

There was no way I could talk to him, so I hit the ignore icon. Not two seconds later, I got a text.

I’m downstairs. Let me in.

I shot from the table to the window. True to his word, he was standing at my service entrance door, fresh snow raining down on him. His overcoat was pulled tight around his neck, his head and hands, bare. He glanced up and waved.

Everything in me said to send him away.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.