Page 24 of Through the Snow Globe
Some angel.
“I’ll go ahead and get those boxes for you.” Diana climbed the stairs to the second-floor hallway, where the attic ladder was already pulled down. “If you’re ever worried you might hurt yourself doing something, that’s a sign you should call in backup. You can always call me.”
“Oh, you’re such a sweet lady,” Maria said as Diana climbed the narrow steps and poked her head inside the attic.
She spotted three boxes that read CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS in black Sharpie handwriting. “Found them!” she called down. They were big boxes. No way Ms. Harris would have been getting these on her own without hurting herself.
Diana pulled one to her with a grunt, nearly dropping it as she climbed back down the steps. Once that box was on the ground floor, she climbed back up and grabbed another, repeating the process until all three boxes were on the floor of the living room. “There.” Her scrubs were dusty and she was breathing heavily, but at least Maria wasn’t going to break her ankle today. Not on Diana’s watch.
“Thank you so much.” Maria beamed at her. “Putting these things out will take all day. Would you like to stay and help me with that as well?” she asked hopefully. “I’ve got tea and cookies.”
Diana hated to disappoint her patient, but that wasn’t how she was going to spend her second-chance day. “I wish I could, but unfortunately I have another patient to see.” Diana headed toward the front door.
“The young girl?” Maria asked.
Due to patient confidentiality, Diana hadn’t shared who the girl was or the specific details of what Addy was dealing with. All Maria knew was that Diana saw a sixteen-year-old female after she left Maria’s home most days. “That’s right.”
“Please tell her hello from me.” Maria shuffled behind Diana toward the door.
“I will.”
Maria stepped over to a table beside the door and picked up a piece of fruitcake wrapped in cellophane. “Here, this is for you. And a slice for your fiancé as well. You can have it for dessert tonight.”
Diana took the fruitcake, surprised by how heavy it was. What was in this thing? “Thank you. Linus has a sweet tooth. He’ll love this.”If he makes it home tonight. . .
No.Diana silently reprimanded herself. There was no place for doubt. The weather had changed, Maria’s ankle wasn’t broken, and no matter what it took to change his fate, Linus wouldn’t be having an accident tonight.
Chapter 8
Diana stepped back out into the cold morning. The sleety rain had stopped, and now the air felt cold and wet. When she arrived at Addy’s home fifteen minutes later, Cecilia Pierce answered the door with a worried look.
“Hi, Diana. I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Why? Is something wrong?” Diana stepped into the Pierces’ home. Once again it smelled of cinnamon and spices. If home had a smell, she imagined this is what it would be. Grandma Denny’s home had smelled of bleach and cigarette smoke, which wasn’t necessarily the worst aroma. Sometimes when Diana entered a patient’s house, she caught the same combination of smells and a wave of nostalgia crashed over her.
“Oh, Addy is just in one of her teenage moods,” Mrs. Pierce said. “There’s some sort of drama going on, but I’m her mother and she won’t tell me anything.”
“Oh, that’s right.” Diana gave a knowing nod as Mrs. Pierce closed the door behind her.
“What do you mean?” Mrs. Pierce asked.
Oops.Had Diana said that out loud? She remembered Addy being in a funk over a boy and her best friend on this day. Since Addy’s immune system was compromised, she couldn’t go to school, and she completed her work online. “N-nothing.” Diana shook her head as she peeled off her winter coat and hung it on the rack by the door. She left her boots on the mat as well. “I just mean, sixteen-year-olds are always going through some sort of teenage tragedy, aren’t they? Maybe she’ll talk to me.”
Mrs. Pierce’s pinched brow relaxed. “I would love for you to talk to her. Thank you so much. I’ll be in the kitchen cooking for this evening. There’ll be more than enough food if you want to come back later.” Mrs. Pierce was always offering Diana a meal, and Diana was always finding a polite excuse to turn her down. Polite, but never curt.
“Thank you for the invitation, but I’m afraid I can’t today. It’s my best friend’s birthday. I’m meeting her somewhere for a little celebration this afternoon.” At least that was the initial plan, but Diana couldn’t be at Sparky’s Tavern with Rochelle when Linus needed her most. Diana needed to be close to him and stop him from riding his bike home.
“A rain check, then.” Mrs. Pierce pointed down the hall. “Addy is in her room. Fingers crossed you can work your magic on her.”
“I’ll do my best.” Diana headed down a hallway that veered off the main living room, walking back to the last door on the left. Diana already knew that Addy had been upset about her ex-boyfriend and former friend for a while. The teen had been through a lot and was rightfully sulky.
Diana knocked on the girl’s bedroom door and waited.
“Come in!”
When Diana entered, Addy didn’t even look over from where she lay across her bed, staring up at her ceiling. Her thin arms were folded behind her head.
“Hey, Addy. You doing okay?” Diana asked as she stepped inside.
