Abernethie hated the lanterns. They weren’t Christmassy at all. Lola had picked them out in a market on Pender Street, and their mother Janet had bought them, just like that. It didn’t matter when Abernethie explained that they didn’t match … Continued
But spring was gaining a delicate hold. The sun was returning — a weak, tentative sun that peered through dirty windows into her apartment. She turned her face to it. Outside, small birds fluttered and ruffled in damp leaves, and light sparkled off pools of water.
A faint chill began to seep around the edges of the room, but very slowly. A light breeze lifted some crumbs off one of the tables, and ruffled the flowers in their vase. Julie stood still, listening for sounds that would indicate some disaster or threat, but all she could hear was her own ragged breathing.
She calmed herself and headed straight for the counter, pretending not to notice them. She ordered her two slices of pepperoni and a Dr. Pepper, and was struggling to find her money when she heard Jake’s voice behind her.