Page 69 of Deck the Hauls

“I don’t want to crash your Thanksgiving,” Dana said. “Your family doesn’t even know me. Wouldn’t it be a bit awkward?”

“No way.” I shook my head. “We’re Italian and my parents work in hospitality. The more the merrier. They love feeding people. Honestly, there’s no way they’re going to let you go without shoveling food in you.”

“Hmm. Okay. Well, I appreciate the invite. Let’s see how I feel when we get there.” Dana turned onto the top of Main Street. “By the way, have you texted Mihira yet?”

“Whoops. No, sorry.”

I shot off a text to Mihira and then to my parents.

Thick white snow covered the buildings and cars lining Main Street, balanced atop cast-iron lamp posts, and clinging to the bare branches of the maple and oak trees. It was also piled up on the side of the road, presumably pushed there by the plow earlier this morning. Apart from a few footprints on the snow and a flock of birds flying overhead, there were no other signs of life in the winter wonderland.

Dana pulled up in front of Olivia’s flower shop.

“I can come up and help.”

I shook my head. “That’s okay, thanks. I don’t have much stuff. Take the time to rest.”

A few minutes later, I arrived back at the truck to find Dana, eyelids heavy, looking like she was about to nod off to sleep.

Her eyes shot open when she saw me. She jumped out of the truck and lifted my suitcase into the back.

“I can drive from here,” I said as she secured the cover.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure,” I said. “It’s really not safe for you—or for anyone else—if you drive while sleep deprived.”

I climbed behind the steering wheel, adjusted the seat and rearview mirror, and set off.

Mihira was waiting out in front of the bed and breakfast, bundled up in a puffy coat, beanie and boots.

“Happy Thanksgiving!” I exclaimed, jumping out of the car and hugging Mihira.

“You too! You guys are absolute lifesavers. Thank you so much for doing this. My parents were devastated when I told them the trains were canceled.”

“No problem.” Dana lifted Mihira’s bags into the back of the truck. “You should sit in the front with Emily since I’m probably going to doze off and won’t be much company.”

“Are you sure?” Mihira asked.

“Dana spent all night clearing snow so we could leave, so she’s on strict sleeping orders from me,” I explained.

Mihira unzipped her coat and wriggled out of it. “That sounds intense.” She slid into the passenger seat. “This is kind of exciting. Like a Thanksgiving road trip. By the way, I have snacks if anyone’s hungry.” Mihira pulled out a packet of popcorn and some trail mix from her navy handbag.

“Yum, thank you.” I dipped my hand into the trail mix. Hopefully that would be a sufficient breakfast substitute.

“What’s your parents’ address?” I asked.

Mihira rattled off the details and I plugged them into my phone.

“Great. It’s saying it should take just over two hours. Hmm, let me just check it’s not taking us through the path of the Thanksgiving Parade. We don’t want to end up stuck behind a giant inflatable Spiderman and millions of onlookers.” I studied the route. “Nope, all good.”

I took a swig of coffee from my mug and started the engine.

A wave of sadness washed over me as we passed the Thanks for visiting Sapphire Springs, come again soon! sign and turned onto Route 9D.

Sapphire Springs was only two and a half hours away by train. Even less by car. And it wasn’t like I had any acting gigs booked—just as many shifts at my parents’ restaurant as I wanted. I would come back to visit. But maybe I should wait until the memories of last night with Dana weren’t quite so…vivid.

“Did you have fun at the party last night?” Mihira asked, as bare trees flashed past on the side of the highway. “You must have left early, because I didn’t see you when Charles gave his speech.”