Page 71 of Through the Snow Globe
“There’s nothing to forgive. You were just expressing your feelings. Whereas my patient seems to think I don’t have any of those. I’m an Elsa.”
Linus shoved his hands in his pockets. “Well, the Queen of Arendelle is very popular on the shelves this year, and for the last many years, come to think of it. What is it with little girls and queens and princesses?” he asked, still grinning.
“They all want to be one.”
“Did you?” he asked, pausing to look at her.
Diana shook her head, her gaze lowering to her hands in her lap. “My grandmother didn’t believe in raising a child with such fantasies. She preferred that I play teacher or doctor.”
“And look at you now. After today’s interview, you’ll be running that rehab clinic.”
“Not exactly.” Diana draped her legs off the edge of the bed. She was so tired of playing out this day. “You better go. You’ll be late.”
Linus looked at his watch. “I have plenty of time.”
“Not if you’re riding Byron to the store.”
Linus chuckled. “I love to pedal, but it’s a bit cold out this morning, don’t you think?”
“Then you better take your coat,” Diana offered. She was so exhausted, and her body felt sore and achy all over. Was she sure that she wasn’t the one being hit by the delivery truck every night?
Linus laughed, obviously thinking she was joking. Then he turned and headed out of the bedroom, calling behind him, “We’ll celebrate your promotion tonight! I’ll bring the wine!”
She heard the jingle of his keys as he picked them up from the counter. “I love you,” she called after him.
“And I love you. Always and forever. Good luck today.”
The front door slammed shut. Diana stood and dragged her feet on the way to the bathroom. Yeah, she did feel hungover, but not from the drinks she’d tipped back at Sparky’s. This time loop was endless suffering for both of them. It had to stop, and yet, she was seemingly helpless to make it end.
Diana used the bathroom, dressed, and went about fixing her hair and brushing her teeth. Then she grabbed her keys and purse, and headed outside. The temperature seemed to have warmed a tiny touch from yesterday. The winter sun was bright, warming her cheeks despite the chilly air.
“Good morning, Diana,” Mrs. Guzman said, walking toward her with Leonardo on a leash.
“Morning, Mrs. Guzman.”
“I just saw Linus head off on his bicycle.”
Diana nodded. “His truck is out of gas.”
“Ah. Well, it’s a touch warmer than yesterday, but the babbling forecaster on the TV is calling for snow later today, you know? Linus won’t be able to ride his bike home in that weather.”
It didn’t matter. Diana didn’t even want to go through this day one more time. She’d given up on saving Linus. All she wanted to do was keep him from getting hurt again. “Mrs. Guzman?”
The older woman turned back from her dog walking. “Yes?”
“I know you don’t remember, but you put this spell—I’m sorry, enchantment—on a snow globe that I had. And I shook it and I got to relive this one day. This awful day. I thought that was what I wanted, but now I just want to take my wish back. I want to unshake that snow globe and unmake my wish.”
The old woman didn’t seem surprised in the least by what Diana told her. “Hmm. I guess that’s why they say to be careful what you wish for.”
“Well, I don’t want this day anymore. Can I take back what I asked for?” Diana looked around to make sure no one would overhear.
Their neighbor, Mr. Zitnik, waved as he walked by.
“Of course, you can, dear,” Mrs. Guzman said.
“I can?” Diana felt the tiniest prick of hope inside her heart. She was willing to do anything. “How?”
“Just like you said. Turn the snow globe upside down and shake it. Or unshake it.” Mrs. Guzman said this as if it were the most obvious answer in the world.
