| |
Susannah hadn’t had a night off since her mom died. It took her five minutes sitting in the garage before she convinced herself to put the car into reverse instead of running back into the house and telling Derek she would take care of Kitty’s dinner.
Getting out of her own driveway was the first obstacle. Deciding where to go was the next. It wasn’t like Orchard Grove had big malls or shopping centers. The Christian bookstore had gone out of business last year, and the only real friends her age had left Orchard Grove after graduating.
She passed the road to Ricky Field’s house, and for a brief second she thought about stopping by. But what would she say? What would be the point? She drove on and realized she was hungry. She had money but refused to walk into a diner and eat a meal alone, which is how she soon found herself at the Walmart food court.
She sat down with a grilled chicken salad, wishing she’d brought a book with her or something else to do to pass the time. Her Bible maybe.
God, I’m thankful that Derek is giving me this break. I just wish I had known about it beforehand so I could be prepared.
She thought about the cash in her purse, about what kind of Christmas present she should find for Kitty. Then something for herself too. Derek had been adamant about that.
Good thing she was at Walmart, where she could find everything she would ever need or want, throw it in a shopping cart, and make it home in time to put Kitty to bed. It wasn’t until she started eating her salad that she realized how much her body was craving fresh produce. Her mom had always kept the fridge stocked with healthy foods, creating elaborate meal plans far more varied and wholesome than bowl after bowl of leftover soup. Susannah knew the basics of cooking. She just didn’t have the energy to justify making big fancy dinners when she was the only one who could eat them.
Christmas would be her first meal that didn’t come out of a single pot in months. Derek would come over in the afternoon with a ham, and she was supposed to think up a few sides. Nothing fancy, since it would only be her and her sister and her stepdad. Maybe she’d find a pre-made crust and make an apple pie for dessert.
Speaking of desserts, she should probably use this night off to drive down to Baxter Loop and buy some of the Amish Friendship bread starter there instead of wandering the aisles at Walmart, praying for inspiration. Safe Anchorage Farms had the best gift shop in at least fifty miles. She could head over there, get a new batch of starter, pick presents for both Derek and Kitty, and find some stationary for herself too.
It beat pushing a shopping cart around a crowded supermarket.
As soon as she finished her salad, she braced for the cold and headed back toward the car, trying to remember the quickest way from here to Baxter Loop.
Maybe Derek really had known what he was doing with this surprise night off.
Maybe it would be a good evening after all.