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Sarah stepped back, ushering me inside. “We made pizza. It’s nothing special, but there’s a few slices left over if you want it.”
“I’d love it. Thank you.” I stepped inside, where it was just as quaint as the other night. Except this time, I could tell that Sarah had made an effort to tidy the countertops, including the stack of paperwork that seemed to consist of Addy’s school drawings and work.
“After Knox eats, we can put up the tree,” Sarah said to Addy, whose lower lip protruded.
Cookies rested on the cooling racks, while others directly on the counter were already iced. The rest of the counter was covered in red and green sprinkles. It reminded me of Mom’s kitchen when Ember was helping to bake. “These look great.”
“We spent all day making cookies,” Addy said proudly.
“You made these for me?” I asked.
Sarah blushed. “We needed to make some for the holidays. It was the perfect timing.”
“We haven’t made cookies in a long time,” Addy said.
I chuckled at Sarah’s discomfort. “I’m glad I motivated you to make some.”
Addy wandered into the living room to watch a show that was playing on the TV.
Sarah put two slices of pizza on a plate and heated them in the microwave. “I can’t keep any secrets with her around.”
I winked at her, enjoying the glimpse I was getting into their lives. “I kind of like it.”
When the microwave beeped, she placed the plate in front of me. I ate standing up, inhaling the warm pizza.
“You must have been hungry,” Sarah observed, and I couldn’t help but wonder if this is what it would be like to come home to her. A meal heated up in the oven or microwave, freshly baked cookies, and smiling faces.
“I get so busy I don’t even realize I haven’t eaten in a while.”
“I get like that when I’m working from home. There’s no one to talk to, and I’m motivated to get everything done before Addy gets home from school.”
“What do you do?” I asked, curious to get to know her better.
“I work for an insurance company as a claims supervisor. That’s just a job. I edit authors’ books on the side. That’s what I enjoy doing.”
“You work for a publishing company?” I was impressed.
“I work for authors who publish themselves as opposed to going through a publishing house. The ability to publish independently has really opened up the market. Publishers used to determine what readers wanted to read, but now, the market determines it. If you want to write about a certain subject, there’s bound to be someone who’s interested enough to buy it.”
“Why don’t you edit full time if that’s what you prefer doing?” I asked her, genuinely curious about her.
“It’s nice as a side hustle; it gives me extra income. But what would I do about health insurance, and what if I can’t fill my calendar? I wouldn’t be able to pay the mortgage or our other bills. It’s scary to take that leap.”
“Owning a business can be stressful at times.” If she wanted to be an editor and support herself with her earnings, I hoped she found a way to do it full time. Life was too short to stay in a job that didn’t fulfill you. I learned that when my dad died a few years ago. I quickly reevaluated my life and realized I wasn’t happy at the architectural firm. I wanted to be working outside, designing landscapes and gardens, not inside designing houses or buildings. I chewed the last bite of pizza, then rinsed the dish and put it in the dishwasher. “Are you ready to put up the tree?”
A few seconds later, Addy ran into the room. “I am.”
“You have your tree stand set up where you want the tree to go?”
“It’s in here,” Sarah said, gesturing for me to follow her into the living room.
Addy stood by the tree stand, which was in a bump out with a bay window. “The tree will go here.”
“Perfect. I’ll bring it in. Why don’t you get your lights and decorations ready?” I asked Addy, wanting to give her something to keep her occupied. Her energy was infectious.
Sarah opened the front door for me. I cut the netting we placed around the tree for transport. I trimmed the base of the tree so it would soak up water more easily, then carried it through the house to the stand.
Sarah closed the door behind me and rushed to hold the tree in place while I tightened the screws for the stand.
