Christmas Therapy

If only it wasn't true. She saw the way his wife looked at him. She remembered him, but did that mean he wanted to go back with her?

He stopped calling. Could she blame him? Heather ran a hand down her face.

She had to tell him the truth. The thought of losing him made her lungs constrict. Her muscles weakened.

“Calm down,” Sonia said. “We're almost there.”

Heather ran her sweaty palms down her dress. “I hope he'll talk to me.”

“He will.”

“I don't know. I said some hurtful things.”

Sonia turned the corner into Allen's neighborhood. “I think he'll listen.”

Spotting Allen’s craftsman style house, Sonia pulled into the driveway. Heather rushed to get out, with snow sliding off her boots as she walked.

“Please don’t hurt yourself. We don’t want a relapse with your knee,” her sister said.

Heather fastened the top button of her coat. The fresh arctic wind chilled her legs. She took her time climbing the steps of Allen’s porch. She rang the doorbell and knocked in a panic. Would he answer? Would he forgive her?

“Allen?” She knocked once more, hearing no movement inside.

Reaching into her coat pocket, Heathe

r pulled out her phone. Her vision blurred as she searched for her recent calls. Despite the soreness in her lungs and throat, she called him.

Her father was right. He needed to know the truth from her. Words jumped around in her head like June-bugs as the phone rang. She heard his voice at last.

Her heart perked up, but it was only his voicemail. What if he was avoiding her call? At the beep, she licked her lips.

“Hey, it’s Heather. I’ll make this quick. I… I’m sorry, Allen. I should have been more understanding. I don’t know what you’ve decided, but I want you to know… I love you.” She wiped her eyes. “Thank you for showing me I can feel this way about someone. Goodbye.” She hung up.

“You’re looking for Allen?” a voice called out.

Heather turned to see Mr. Brooks, Allen’s older neighbor. She waved. “Is he gone?”

“He said he was heading to the airport,” Mr. Brooks said.

“Airport?” Heather’s lips parted. “Is he coming back?”

“He didn’t say. There was a woman with him. Have a good one.” Mr. Brooks waved to Heather and Sonia and went back inside his house.

Heather’s body froze in place. He left with Crystal. That was the only explanation. Walking back to her sister’s car, she leaned against the passenger door.

She exhaled grateful that her sister gave her a moment to herself. Heather's mouth hung open. Allen left. Her bottom lip trembled as her stomach dropped. The words from her voicemail throbbed in her ears. She felt stupid as a sheep.

***

Automated doors opened and closed behind Allen as he walked beside Crystal. He smelled coffee and baked goods from the food court. A lengthy line in the open area led to multiple airline check-in counters.

He stared as Crystal wrung her hands together. He never pictured his life like this. Could he win Heather back? Would she trust him after this?

“Glad I came early,” Crystal said.

“Is your fiancé picking up when you land?” Allen asked.

She bobbed her head. “Yes.”