The Cabin by the Lake

Christmas Eve was spent indoors with Sam. The snow had settled at around 2pm, but I still had no plans. I was upset with Zac and the previous night. I was mad at myself for letting it get that far. Ryan called to see how things were going and how he missed me and wanted to see me as soon as possible, which was something different with how he's been acting. But I welcomed it, and made a decision…I woke up at 4am on Christmas day. I got a few ingredients and baked 2 pies. I packed up my suitcase and by then it was about 11am. I looked over towards Zac’s house, I heard a truck leave and I assumed it would be him. It was perfect timing. I put on my snow boots, grabbed a pie and walked up to Zac’s. I knocked on the door, and within a few seconds Mrs. Rinaldo opened the door. “Oh, hello Emily. Please come in.” She closed the door behind me and she shivered, “Zac’s not here…” I smiled, “I actually came by to drop off this pie…I won’t be able to join your family for Christmas…but this pie is a big thank you for everything.” She smiled and took the pie, “come with me for a second. I need to show you something.” I followed her into an office and she opened a folder. “This is a letter Zac wrote to me a few months ago…” The letter read how Boston was hard, but he finally found his groove with the guys…and he wrote how he was thankful to have me in his life, I made life easy for him because he saw me as a best friend. I looked up to his mom, "Why are you showing me this?” She smiled warmly, “A friend of mine saw you two at the bar and called me to ask if you were dating. I told her no…but I also told her to request a certain song…Zac tells me almost everything Emily, I know a lot…not everything though….”I nodded, “That song…it just confused us…” She wrapped me in a hug, “You’re not confused honey. You’re both just scared.” I released myself from her hug and smiled, “I hope you enjoy the pie…please tell Zac I’ll see him at the apartment…that something came up.” She nodded, “Merry Christmas Emily.”

I caught the last flight at around 4pm. I was nervous as I held onto my second pie. There were only about 10 people on the short 1 hour flight. But as we got closer and closer, I felt more confident. I was doing the right thing. We landed just in time for the snow to pick up again. I got a taxi, “I only know the street…not the number.” The taxi man smiled, “Not a worry! I’ll help you…so what brings you all the way here anyways? You don’t seem like you’re from around here…” I smiled, “I’m from Boston, Massachusetts.” He smiled, “We have a hockey player on your team down there! The Ryan Spooner.” I smiled, “I’ve heard of him…” We got to the street and a flash back to Love, Actually came into my head…how Ryan said he was happy he would never have to go door to door for someone he loved and here I was about to go door to door for the person I…really like. The first house was a small blue house. I knocked and an elderly lady answered. “Merry Christmas dear.” I smiled, “Hi…does Ryan live here?” She shook her head, “I’m sorry sweet, not here.” The next 10 houses were the same answer. We pulled up to a larger white house with cars parked out front. “I have a feeling it’s this one…” The taxi man smiled, “Would you like me to wait?” I shook my head, “No need to.” He gave me his card, “Just in case.” He said and I watched him drive away. I took a deep breath and walked up the path that was lit with Christmas lights. I could hear music and laughter coming from the home. I walked up to the door and knocked on it loud, holding the pie in my hands, luggage next to me, and Sam on my other side. “I’ll get it ma!” I heard a familiar voice yell. I put on the biggest smile I had when the door opened.

He was silent for a minute, not sure what he was seeing. “Merry Christmas Ry.” I said with a smile. He closed the door half way and stood outside with me. “Em…what are you doing here?” I bit my lip, “Well…I just had to see you on Christmas day…and I brought pie.” He took the pie and smiled at me. He kissed my cheek. “I really wish I knew you were coming…” I smiled, “That would ruin the element of surprise!” He nodded and did a small laugh. “It’s just…we weren’t expecting anyone else…and…” I nodded knowing exactly what he was trying to say without saying it. I wasn’t welcome today. “I’m actually not staying…I hope it didn’t come across that way!” I laughed nervously, “I got a call from Jim, something is wrong with some of the photography stuff…I had to leave my cabin early…I was taking a flight back and my layover was at the airport near here…I figured since I was in town…my taxi is actually going to be here soon…” He nodded and smiled, “I am glad I got to see you…just right now isn’t a good time.” I nodded and smiled, but my heart was breaking. “I get it, no worries. Enjoy your night, and your pie! I’ll see you when you get back.” He smiled and nodded, “I’ll see you soon Em.” And he kissed my cheek. I grabbed my phone and dialed the number on the card. “Hello?” I couldn’t speak. Tears were escaping and I couldn’t speak. “I figured you’d call Miss. I haven’t left the street yet. I’ll be there soon.” I turned back towards the house, looking through the window and my heart broke. Stephanie was there, laughing with his family and friends. The taxi driver didn’t ask questions on the ride back to the airport. There were no flights until 2am. I sat, and I waited for my flight back to Boston.

Notes

What's going on here? Dun Dun Dunnnnn

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