Christmas Therapy

Her mouth fell open. “Terrance. As in the guy I work with?”

“Yes, he asked her out.”

Happy for her baby sister, she smiled. “Why didn’t she tell me?”

“Maybe she didn’t want it to be awkward.”

Heather took off her boots. “I wouldn’t have minded. It’s not like I…”

Her mother patted her back. “It’ll be okay. Why don’t you relax and I’ll check on you later?” She kissed her forehead.

Heather relaxed on the couch pulling the blanket over her legs. She held it underneath her chin and stared out the window. The snow fell, with some flakes sticking to the glass. She closed her eyes, willing herself not to cry. She hadn’t cried like this since her father left.

Was it Allen’s fault? She didn’t hear everything Crystal said, but was it all a mistake? Could she and Allen still be together?

Her mother was right. He was a good man. He was kind. Thoughtful. Sweet. Amazing kisser. Heather groaned in the blanket and covered her face.

She must have fallen asleep, but she wished Allen didn’t consume her dreams. All she saw was him with his arms around her. Her mouth still felt his kisses. The shivers returned recalling his touch to her face. Heather never felt such a spiritual connection to anyone. Even th

eir hands fit when he held her hand.

Then she heard voices. Did her mother invite someone over? If this was her mother introducing her to her boyfriend, she was not prepared. Heather rubbed at her braced knee. Maybe the guy wasn’t that bad. As long as he loved her mother that was all that mattered.

“Why didn’t you call?” her mother asked.

A deep voice said, “I wanted to see you. Is everything okay?”

“Heather’s here,” her mother said.

So her mother’s boyfriend knew about Heather.

“Will she want to see me?”

What? That was an odd question to ask. Heather stood from the couch. The voices sounded as if they were coming from her mother’s kitchen. She must have been in a deep sleep if she didn’t hear the doorbell ring.

“I haven’t told them yet,” her mother said.

Heather leaned against the door frame. “Mom?”

Her mother’s eyes widened. The man’s back was to Heather.

“Are you going to introduce us?” she asked.

The man pivoted to face Heather. Why did his coal eyes look familiar? His head was bald and his salt and pepper hair bread covered his chin. The corners of his eyes crinkled as he smiled.

“Hi, sweet pea,” he said.

Heather’s mouth fell open. Only one man called her that. She hadn't heard it in years. This man couldn’t be her father. She swallowed and licked her dry lips. What did he want?

She stepped back. “What's going on here? Why are you here?”

Her mother walked over and took her daughter’s hands in hers. “Calm down, honey.”

“Calm down?” She stared back between the both of them. “You can’t be serious?”

Her mother nodded. “Your father and I have been dating for the past few months.”

The woman who raised her had lost her mind. She was dating her father? Not after the man left their family distraught. “I can’t believe you!”