How the Grinch Stole My Heart by Annabelle Costa

Author:Annabelle Costa [Costa, Annabelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rose Bud Press
Published: 2018-12-09T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22: Jeremy

Back before my stroke, I used to like to run in the morning when the weather was nice. I’d throw on a T-shirt and shorts and sneakers, which took about two minutes to do back then, and I’d jog over to the park near our apartment, then run two or three miles. I liked the sunshine. I liked the fresh air, even laced with smoke and the vague scent of urine.

Engaging in any sort of athletic activity is tricky when the right half of your body doesn’t work. I can’t run. Sports are hard when my dominant arm is completely useless. My balance is awful—I’m lucky to even stay on my feet these days.

But I’m not a homebody by nature. I’m in my apartment so much these days, sometimes I feel like I’m suffocating, even when I open up all the windows. I could deal with not being able to run if it weren’t so challenging to walk. I miss wandering around the most interesting city I’ve ever lived in.

And as soon as the first snow of the season comes, my chances of falling will increase exponentially.

The forecast is calling for snow next week, meaning we’re going to have a white Christmas. That means soon it’s going to get a lot harder to venture outside. For that reason, I decide to go to the grocery store today to pick up some items that are harder to get delivered.

Also, I want to enjoy the fresh air one last time because soon I’ll be trapped. Trapped for the whole goddamn winter.

Today is a good day, actually. I had a long, hot shower this morning that seems to have loosened up all my muscles, and I’m able to walk with less difficulty than usual. Even my right arm feels looser today. I get some stares on the street, but fewer than I usually get.

Before I left my apartment, I called in an order for a cheeseburger at Moonlight Diner. I wanted a cheeseburger, but that’s not the real reason I ordered from them. The real reason is because I’m hoping to see Noelle.

I just want to see her. We don’t even need to talk. But maybe I’ll catch a glimpse of her across the room, and she’ll smile at me. That would be nice. It would be a bright spot in my day. Maybe that sounds dumb, but I don’t care. I want to see her.

When I get to the entrance of Moonlight Diner, I grab the handle to the door, remembering at the last second how heavy the damn thing is. Why are all doors so heavy in this city? Or maybe they’re not so heavy. Maybe I just suck at opening them. I struggle with it for several seconds before a couple leaving the restaurant holds it open for me.

My breath catches in my throat when I see Noelle is right at the cash register. Half of me had been expecting she wouldn’t even be here, but here she is.

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.