Page 35 of Resisting Fate
Missy fought the heat creeping up her neck. “Can’t think of anything.”
“No-o-o?” Mrs. Walsh sang. “Maybe a new job, new fella, that sort of thing.”
Missy focused on the non-elf part. “Fella?”
“You know, a boyfriend. How do you young people say it now? A hookup?”
Missy sucked in air. Were people at church gossiping about the Missy-Ben make-out session at the craft bazaar last weekend?
“Did you hear something about me?” Missy asked.
Mrs. Walsh smiled serenely. “No, I just noticed you have a little glow about you like maybe some good news happened.”
A glow?Did she still have a glow from hooking up with Ben three days ago? Or, the more likely scenario, Ben was telling people they’d hooked up. Gossip spread fast in this town. How crass. And here she’d thought he might be the kind of guy who could keep a confidence. This was just great. Next thing you knew he’d be blabbing to everyone about her humiliating time as an elf. She’d be known as Missy the slutty elf.
“Nope,” Missy lied. “No news here. How about you?”
Mrs. Walsh gave Missy’s hand a squeeze. “I’m hoping for some good news soon. I wish the same for you.”
“Thanks,” Missy said.
“I’ve been praying for you,” Mrs. Walsh said.
Missy cocked her head. “Why…” She trailed off because Mrs. Walsh was already halfway down the sidewalk, spry for a woman in her eighties.
Mrs. Walsh lifted a hand, calling over her shoulder. “My prayers will be answered soon! I have a good feeling.”
Missy stared at the woman’s retreating back, her fuchsia coat floating out around her like a giant candy cloud. The woman meant well, but sometimes she just made no sense.
