Katlyn Duncan - Wrapped Up for Christmas

Angie woke early the next morning, the sound of her mother’s voice and the banging of kitchen cabinets reverberating in her head. Managing to make her excuses to avoid her mother’s annual cookie baking session, Angie grabbed the keys to Donato’s rusty old wagon and nearly sprinted out the door to leave for Reese’s house.

As she climbed into the driver’s seat, she couldn’t help but feel a small pang of guilt in her chest. Her mother had been so excited to have Angie home, she knew that she just wanted to enjoy all the festive activities that the season allowed while Angie was around. But Angie was all too aware that she wasn’t going to find her next job from sitting around all day in her mum’s kitchen. None of the hotels called her back, and each time she tried to follow up, one of the assistants blocked her, saying that they would be in touch if they were interested. Angie wanted to see if Reese had reviewed her resume for changes. Making a mental note to set aside some baking time to appease her mother, she dialed Reese’s number in her cellphone, started the ignition and set off to her friend’s house.

***

‘Can I pay you to move back home for good and make my food every day?’ Reese said as she shoveled the last bit of Belgium waffle into her mouth. She licked the syrup from the fork. Angie barely ate two bites in the time Reese had finished hers.

‘You can’t afford me,’ Angie said, unsure that she wouldn’t take any job offered to her. ‘Besides, this is temporary. You’ll have a baby soon.’

‘I’ll need more help than ever.’ Reese walked into the living room and Angie followed with her plate. ‘Everyone keeps telling me how tired I’ll be in the first few months. You know me. I love to sleep.’

‘Is Jer taking any time off?’

‘A little.’ Reese sat on the couch with a little groan. ‘But it’s not going to be enough.’

‘What about his parents?’

‘I’m sure they’ll help.’

Angie sat next to her friend, placing the plate on the table. She propped pillows around Reese. With her hands busy she thought again of what Jeremy said. Reese missed her and she couldn’t help feeling guilty that she didn’t have roots here so that she could be around for her friends. They were happy, but Reese seemed overwhelmed.

‘It will be fine. I don’t think I’m going to the West Coast again, so I’ll be home more often.’

‘That would be nice. Aunty Angie can’t stay away too long.’

Angie didn’t want to get into her next move with Reese quite yet. Especially because she had no plan in mind. ‘Did you look at my resume?’

‘I did. Looks good. No notes from me.’

Angie sensed there was something else Reese wanted to say. But if her resume was flawless and she still didn’t receive any phone calls, maybe the problem was her.

‘I think your luck will turn around soon,’ Reese said.

‘When did you become so wise?’

‘Don’t you know all pregnant women are clairvoyant?’

Angie’s phone rang with an unknown number on the screen. She flipped the phone to show Reese.

‘Who is it?’ Reese asked, leaning over.

‘A job?’ Angie’s heart leaped in her chest. Merry Christmas to me.

‘Answer it,’ Reese said with a huge grin on her face.

Angie picked up the call. ‘This is Angie.’

‘Hi, Angela Martinelli?’ a woman said on the other line.

‘Yes.’ Her heart fluttered in her chest. She wondered which hotel was calling her back. Though it didn’t matter. She was ready to restart her life.

‘This is Carrie from Westford Malls, we received your resume and wanted to have you come in for an interview.’

Reese’s eyes widened before she stood from the couch, faster than Angie had seen her move lately.

Angie shook her head. ‘I’m sorry, I don’t—’ Realization flooded through her. Reese pushing Angie to get a job. Asking to see her resume.

‘You didn’t,’ Angie hissed at her best friend.

‘Excuse me?’ Carrie asked from the other line.

Reese shook her head, but even she couldn’t hide the mischievous grin from her face.

‘I, um …’ Angie’s mind went blank.

‘We have a ten-thirty interview slot tomorrow morning. Can you make it into our corporate offices for then?’ Carrie asked.

Angie fisted the fabric of the throw pillow next to her.

Reese’s gaze wandered around the room.

‘Ms Martinelli?’ Carrie’s voice rang in Angie’s ear. ‘Do we have a bad connection?’

Angie shook her head, though it wasn’t as if Carrie could see her. It was the first job offer she’d received, even though it was unsolicited.

‘Yes, I can be there for ten-thirty.’ She hadn’t interviewed in a while, and this could be a practice round before the interviews for the hotel jobs.

‘See you then,’ Carrie said before hanging up.

Angie sunk into the silence on the other line before putting her phone down.

‘At least you have an interview,’ Reese said.

‘I can’t believe you did that behind my back.’

‘You need money. This is your chance at a job. You already have experience there.’

‘I told you I don’t want to work at the mall, especially around Christmas.’

‘What’s your alternative? Sitting around, waiting for your phone to ring? That’s not the Angie I know. Besides, your severance money will only last so long.’

With an apologetic email back from Melissa, the money had landed in Angie’s account later than expected. At least someone from her previous job was on her side. It would last her a little while, but she didn’t have a backup plan if no one from the other hotels returned her phone calls. Anxiety filled Angie’s chest.

‘What if I run into someone I know and have to explain why I’m back home and working there?’

‘Who cares what people think?’

Angie cared, but she wasn’t going to say that to Reese. Her best friend was right on all accounts. Angie needed money, and no one was calling her with a job offer.

‘I didn’t apply for any particular position, just at the mall in general,’ Reese said. ‘I’m sure you will be able to have your pick.’

‘Well, thanks for that,’ Angie deadpanned.

‘What are best friends for?’ said Reese, ignoring the sarcasm. ‘Now, I’m thinking we can put a good dent in my Christmas romance movie list before you are busy with work!’

Angie sat back against the couch, propping her feet on the coffee table. Work. At the mall? A place she never thought she would return to. She had no idea what to expect tomorrow, but she wasn’t going to allow her situation to put her in a mood. This hiccup was temporary. It had to be. Once one of the jobs called back, she would move on. It was the only thought she could have to ease the ache in her chest at her current situation.

Angie would enjoy the movie marathon with Reese and worry about tomorrow when it arrived.

***

On the day of her interview, Angie tried on a few of her more business casual outfits. Most of her suits were a little over the top for the position she was going for, but she wasn’t going to dress like a slob.

To delay the inevitable, she checked herself out in the mirror for longer than necessary. Brett would have laughed at her if he saw how she had lost everything.

At the thought of him, she narrowed her eyes, wishing she could show him how much better off she was without him. Or would be when she finally landed another amazing job. He had tended to put others down. Her rose-colored glasses had prevented her from understanding that part of him.

Angie lifted her chin. She wasn’t going to let him ruin another part of her life.

***

The closer she got to the mall, the more her stomach churned. She wasn’t sure why she was so nervous.