Page 37 of Wish You Faith

“I mean it. I took a self defense class a while back.”

“What made you do that? Did something happen?”

“Nope. It was a preventive. The company I work at—I mean worked at—hired a self defense instructor to teach all employees.”

“Hmm… That’s a good idea. Maybe I’ll suggest it to Amy. Christmastown workers need this type of training.”

“Everyone does.”

“For sure.” Rosie stepped out of the truck. “We should take my car, actually. It’s smaller and we can find more parking spots downtown. Your truck is big and takes up space.”

“Okay. So we’ll go to your house and leave my truck there.”

“That’s what I meant. I’ll text you my address in case we get separated on the road.” Rosie swiped her phone and messaged him.

Evan plugged the address into Google Maps, but was determined to stay close to Rosie’s car on the street, regardless.

He waited for Rosie to get into her small car, buckle up, and start the ignition. He reversed his truck to make room for her to back out of her parking spot.

Rosie’s house was thirteen minutes away. Evan could see the hospital building from the street. Evan wasn’t sure if he should park in the driveway, but the road in front of the house was narrow. He texted Rosie.

Rosie texted back to tell him to park in the driveway. Evan did so. He turned off the ignition and the headlights. The living room light was on. Maybe Sonya was still awake.

When he got out of the truck, the air felt nippy. He opened the back door to the extended cab and reached over the seat to grab his scarf. That warmed up his neck.

“I didn’t expect Savannah to be this cold.” Evan walked toward Rosie, who had gotten out of her car, parked behind his truck.

“It can get chilly sometimes, but not cold enough for snow—usually.” Rosie brushed hair off her forehead. “I see the lights are still on in the living room, so I’m guessing Mom is still watching TV. I’m thinking of asking her if she wants to come with us to see the fireworks. Is that okay with you?”

“Sure.” Well, he lied. He didn’t want Sonya to chaperone them to the river to see the fireworks and drink hot chocolate and share desserts. He wanted Rosie all to himself this evening.

“Do you want to go inside? Get some water? Use the bathroom? It will be hard to find restrooms at the river unless we go to Piper’s Place later.”

“I guess I could say hello to your mom.” Evan followed Rosie to the front door.

Before she could unlock it, the door opened. Sonya was wearing a bright red sweatshirt. Behind her, the TV blared in the living room. Voices came from the living room. There were other people in the house.

The smell of popcorn wafted into the foyer.

“Come in, come in. It’s cold outside.” Sonya ushered them into the foyer. To Evan, she said, “Coat rack’s over there.”

“Mom, we’re not staying long.” Rosie closed the door behind Evan. “We’re carpooling to see the fireworks. Would you like to go with us?”

Sonya’s answer was immediate. “Thank you, but Marcella, Dottie, and I are rewatchingNorth and South. We just started episode three. You two go ahead.”

The two ladies waved from the living room, where they’d each taken up a recliner.

Rosie went to give them each a hug. “Didn’t know y’all came over.”

“It was impromptu,” Sonya said. “I called Dottie about something, and she said she was watchingNorth and South. So I invited them over because my TV is bigger.”

“And sharper too,” one of the ladies said. “How was skating?”

Sonya laughed. “Dottie, you knew the answer before you asked.”

“Someday I’ll teach you how to skate,” Dottie said. “It’s not that hard.”

“I’ll just drag you down.” Rosie seemed to be taking it all in stride.

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