Page 63 of Through the Snow Globe
Diana tried to take deep breaths, but the air didn’t seem to reach her lungs. Was she having a panic attack? Seeing her fiancé get into an accident night after night would do that to a person.
Maria pulled her arm from Diana’s and took an exaggerated moment to sit up.
“What are you doing?” Diana asked.
“You are having a rough day so instead of focusing on me, we’re going to focus on you.” The older woman stood and shuffled toward her kitchen. “I’m making you tea.”
“That’s not necessary. Maria, I’m here for you. For your therapy.”
Maria glanced back, but continued walking. “Sometimes helping others is good therapy. Come. Sit. Would you like a slice of fruitcake?”
Diana followed Maria toward the kitchen. “No. Thanks.” She’d been given enough fruitcake this week. And she probably shouldn’t sit down for tea with Maria versus providing therapy because this wasn’t her job. It wasn’t professional. Her focus should be on Maria, not her own problems.
Maria flipped her hot water kettle on and pulled two mugs from her cabinet. “Want to talk about it?” she asked again.
“Not really,” Diana said.
“That’s fine. Whatdoyou want to talk about?” Maria asked.
Diana watched as Maria dropped a tea bag into each mug. “You. You said it’s your fault that your daughter doesn’t talk to you anymore, and that’s one of the reasons you’re lonely. I think you should try to reach out to her again.”
Maria poured hot water over the mugs. Then she shuffled one mug over to Diana and slid it in front of her. She turned back and retrieved her own mug before facing Diana. “How did you know about my daughter?”
“You told me,” Diana lied, knowing Maria would fall for it because she had the last time.
“Hmm,” Maria finally said.
“Hmm?”
“My daughter told me she never wants to talk to me again. What more can I do?”
“You’re her mother. You do what you need to show her you care.” Diana thought of her own mom coming to see her every holiday. It wasn’t enough. “Otherwise, you’re as bad a mom as you think you are.”
Maria’s lips parted.
Diana cringed and shook her head. Okay,thatwas curt. “You know what? I’m sorry. It’s not my place to say that.” She took a sip of her tea and then pushed the mug away. “I’ll come back tomorrow, Maria. I know it’s not my day, but I owe you physical therapy. And I’ll help you put up your tree as well.” She got up and headed for the door, needing air. “I’ll see myself out.”
“Take care of yourself, Diana,” Maria called after her.
It was rude to leave without responding, but Maria would soon forget just like everyone else.
Diana hurried out the front door and closed it behind her. Then she got inside her car, cranked the engine, and immediately shifted into DRIVE. She should probably cancel the rest of the day with the way things were already going, but instead she drove to the Pierce home. When Mrs. Pierce answered the door, Diana exchanged a short greeting, and walked down the hall and banged on Addy’s door.
“Come in,” Addy called.
Diana stepped inside and shut the door behind her. “Okay, here it is. My advice is to stop sulking and do something about what you want. If this guy of yours doesn’t like you anymore, then he’s not worth your time or attention.”
Addy pulled her face away from the pillow she had it pressed into and rolled onto her back. “Tell me what you really think,” she said sarcastically. “And how do you know I’m upset over a guy anyway?”
“Long story that you’d never believe anyway. That’s why I’m not going to get into it with you. Not because I don’t want to share things with you. Which I will—another time. Right now, I want to tell you that you’re beautiful and smart, and you deserve to be treated as such.”
Addy sat up in bed and heaved a forlorn sigh. “Well, the problem is, my friend Sierra apparently has a crush on the guy too. She’s been eating lunch with him and passing notes, stuff like that.” Addy looked down at her clasped hands. “Jay always said he wasn’t into her that way, but, I don’t know, maybe now that I’m MIA, he’s changed his mind.”
“This Sierra person doesn’t sound like a true friend,” Diana said, sparing nothing today.
Addy flinched. The truth sometimes hurt. “Well, you know how friends are.”
“I know how mine are.” Diana wished she could have a few words with this Sierra girl.Actually, yeah, that’s a good idea.“Is she one of your contacts in your phone?”
