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the Christmas Spirit when I can’t get her

a peppermint or pumpkin spice latte?

James stands, walks to the counter.

Annie follows.

JAMES

Then I guess you should go back to the big

city and leave us small-town folk to the

simple things in life.

ANNIE

You’re actively losing customers by refusing to decorate for Christmas and by not having the Christmas staples everyone relies on.

James makes drinks while talking, not making eye contact with Annie.

JAMES

Useless frivolities cost more than they’re

worth. If you need pumpkin spice and

peppermint to feel Christmas, then I think

you’ve forgotten what Christmas is actually

about. Feel free to take your business

elsewhere, where they have those fake,

disgusting flavours. I refuse to sully

my good coffee with them. You can

take these regular lattes or nothing.

James sets paper cups down with more force than necessary.

JAMES (CONT’D)

Have a nice day.

Annie throws a twenty-dollar bill onto the counter, then turns on her heel and leaves without another word, letting the door slam as she exits.

James watches her walk away through the large windows, his expression shifting from neutral to a hint of longing and sadness in his eyes.

Chapter 4

Mariah

To have a third drink, or to not have a third drink, that is the question.

I’ve driven to the far end of town, getting as much space between me and that damn movie set as I could, before pulling into Grumpy Joe’s, the diviest of dive bars. The empty parking lot beckoned me like a siren out at sea, sans the singing. A sign out front saidkaraoke Sundays, and today’s a Monday so I’m safe for at least another six days.