Page 56 of All I Want is You this Christmas Final

“Do you want to come with me and Ernie to the farmer’s market this morning? Some fresh air might do you good.”

The last few days, her aunt and Ernie had gone out of their way to include her in all of their plans, even a movie night watching White Christmas. Although it dropped her Christmas movies down to twenty-three, catching her aunt’s boyfriend nuzzling her neck had been ninety-shades of awkward.

“As much as I like Ernie, I'd feel like a third wheel and besides, I need to work. I haven’t written anything in days.”

“I think what you need is a day to get out of your head and blow off some steam. Why don’t you call Olive and do something fun? A little female companionship cures the mopes like nothing else.”

“I’m not moping,” Anna Beth grumbled.

“Yes, I can see you're the picture of happiness. My mistake.”

“You know this cheery, smart ass you’ve become? I’m not sure I’m loving her.” When Sarah’s face fell, Anna Beth apologized immediately. “I’m just kidding. I’m not in the frame of mind to be funny. Sorry, I'm being a grouch.”

Sarah bounced back with a sympathetic frown. “I understand. Just don’t sit around all day staring at that screen. You are a brilliant writer, but you have to go out amongst people to get real experiences.”

“I promise not to be a hermit. Now, go have fun. I need to find Mittens and see how traumatized she is.”

“She’ll get over it.” Her aunt leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Have a good day, my dear.”

“You too,” Anna Beth said softly. Everytime Sarah showed her any kind of warmth or affection, she got choked up.

She needed to get a handle on her emotions, before she lost it in front of the wrong person.

The front door closed behind Sarah and Anna Beth went in search of Mittens, who had her face buried in her kibble. “I guess you’re alright.”

Music blared from her cell phone in the other room and Anna Beth raced to answer it before it stopped ringing.

“Hello?”

“It’s your favorite person in the whole world,” Olive said.

“You don’t sound like Reece Witherspoon.”

“Very funny. What are you doing today?”

She glanced at her computer, knowing the words weren't coming. “Absolutely nothing, why?”

“Wanna go to Tammy’s and get glammed up for a girl’s night out?”

Did Sarah call her? Were the two of them conspiring?

“We’re having a girl’s night? Where?”

“Fire and Ice Pub has karaoke on Thursdays and free cover if you have boobies!”

Anna Beth groaned. “Karaoke?”

“No, you said it wrong. Your voice is supposed to go up three octaves with a clear inflection of excitement in your tone. Karaoke!”

Anna Beth did not sing in public, but maybe going shopping would get her out of her funk. “I tell you what, I’ll meet you at Tammy’s and we’ll see where it goes from there. Deal?”

“Sounds fair, but just know, the karaoke is going to get you.”

“See you soon, goob.”

Anna Beth showered and threw on a sweater with a pair of distressed jeans. Mittens curled up in a ball on her bed, one giant foot covering her face, a spot of pink from her antibiotics stuck to the fur on her paw. Anna Beth bent over and kissed the kitten’s soft belly, smiling when she heard the low rumble of her purr.

“Alright, baby, I’ll be back a little later. Behave.”