Escape A Barson story

Chapter 9

Olivia didn't sleep all night. She laid in bed tossing, turning, and thinking.She decided that she couldn't leave this town early. Noah was having too much fun, She got up early, and got ready for another day. As she was leaving her cabin, she heard the landline ring, she ignored it.
Now, she was walking in the snow to the Garland Family Cabin. Her exhaustion made the temperature feel even colder. It also made the short distance to the Garland Cabin feel longer. She finally reached her destination, and walked up the snow covered steps, she shivered as she knocked on the front door."Olivia, come in." Lamai said, opening the door, and letting Olivia walk inside. Lamai quickly shut and locked the door. "Come sit down with me. The kids are playing in Abby's room. I think it's too cold right now for them to play outside.""I agree", Olivia said. She followed Lamai to the table, and sat down across from her. On the table, there was a tea set."I just made Orange Spice tea, it;s a black tea. " Lamai said. She poured tea for herself and Olivia."Thank-you." Olivia said."You're welcome." Lamai replied.Olivia took a long sip of tea, it was the best liquid she tasted since she arrived in this town. She took the cup away from her mouth, and spoke. "This is delicious."Lamai smiled. "I have plenty of it. Olivia are you alright?""I'm fine", Olivia answered. "Why?""You look like you have the whole world on your shoulders.""I'm fine, Lamai." Olivia said. Lamai finished her tea, refilled her cup, and continued her questioning. "You don't seem fine. What is it? Is it Steven?""No, Steven is a good guy. How did you meet Christian?""We were both volunteering at a soup kitchen run by our church. We were both about to go off to college. One Sunday afternoon we were working together, and I was having a bad day, Christian made me laugh. After a little time I felt like I could talk to him about anything. For a long time Christian thought he would go into law, but his heart wasn't in it, I helped him make the decision to become a cop.""You're a good team." Olivia said, with a smile. She took a sip of tea."Yes we are." Lamai said. "Christian, is my best friend. Olivia, did I make a mistake fixing you up with Steven?""No, Lamai, Steven is a nice guy.""Olivia, you said Rafael Barba was your best friend, and that he is the best friend you ever had. Why past tense?""We don't see eye to eye, we disagree.""I'm sure, you've had many disagreements. Why don't you want to move past this one?""We can't, I can't.""Olivia, this is really upsetting you.""Lamai!" Christian called through the door.
""I'm coming." Lamai answered loudly, rising from her chair, walking to the door, and opening it. Christian stepped inside."Don't close the door yet, Steven's outside. He walked up to me a minute ago.He said he went to Olivia's cabin, and she wasn't there.""Come in Steven, get outta the cold.." Lamai called to him. Meanwhile, Christian rushed into the kitchen with grocery bags. "Thanks Lamai." Steven said. "Have you seen Olivia?""I'm here." Olivia said.
Steven walked up to her. and stood by the table. "Hello", he said. "Olivia, I need to buy some Christmas presents. Do you mind helping me pick them out?""I can't do it today. I have to spend some time with Noah, and I have to get directions to the grocery store from Lamai.""I'll draw you a map." Lamai said, walking into the kitchen."I have an idea, my rental car is outside. How about I take you and Noah shopping, and we stop at the grocery store?""That's a great idea." Christian chimed in." Lamai gave her husband a stay out of it look, and Christian was confused."Sure, thank-you, Steven." Olivia replied."Olivia, I am expecting you at dinner tonight." Lamai said. Olivia found the bathroom, used it, and then walked slowly to Abby's room. "Come on, Noah." She said when she saw her son."I don't wanna go." Noah whined."We'll be back for dinner." Olivia informed him. "Let's go." With a frown, Noah stood up, and followed his mother. He was surprised that Steven walked out of the cabin with them. His mom said they had to go shopping, she asked if he minded if Steven went with them. Steven seemed nice to Noah, and he had a cool car.Olivia, Steven, and Noah, arrived at Elbert Street, it was the busiest place in town. On this street there were several stores, bars, and restaurants. Olivia was sure Rafael liked this street. Her stomach did a somersault at the thought of possibly running into him.
Steven stopped at a clothing store, and held the door open for her and Noah. Olivia bought Noah a pair of boots, She picked out a warm sweater, and a pair of slippers for Steven's mother. She picked out a scarf for his sister.
Olivia paid for Noah's boots, and Steven quickly paid for the items Olivia picked out for his family. "Is there a bookstore on this street?" Olivia asked."No Steven answered as they walked out of the store."Is there one close by?" Olivia asked."Yes, there's one not too far from here." Steven informed her. "Come on."Steven didn't drive to the bookstore, he drove to the grocery store.When they entered the store, Olivia grabbed a box of Orange Spice tea, she couldn't find the peppermint tea. She found some mediocre looking carrots, and mushrooms. It was impossible to find a decent piece of meat. The only wine this store had came in a box. She found a box of holiday cupcakes for Noah. The store was out of Strawberry ice cream, and Vanilla ice cream.
"Mom!" Noah said, excitedly."Yes, sweet boy?" Olivia said, with a smile."I just saw uncle Rafa! Let's go! The 12 year old took off running. Olivia ran after him. "Noah, don't run! " Olivia said. The boy stopped., and Olivia stood beside him. "But mom, uncle Rafa is here!""Uncle Rafa?" Steven questioned, finally catching up with the mother and son. "He means Rafael Barba?"
"Yes." Olivia replied." "C'mon, champ", Steven said to Noah. "I'll buy you and your mom a hot chocolate.""They sell hot chocolate that you can drink right away here?" Noah asked."They do, during winter." Steven replied. "C'mon." Noah walked to the side of the hot chocolate line, Olivia, and Steven followed him."Hi, Uncle Rafa, I knew I saw you." Noah exclaimed."Hi!" Rafael exclaimed, hugging the boy."Hello Rafael." Steven said."Hello." Rafael answered, still hugging Noah."Hi, Rafael." Olivia greeted him, softly. The world stood still again, and this time she felt like crying"Hello Liv." Rafael answered. "You have plans tonight?""Yes, Olivia answered,
Before she could say another word, Noah spoke. "We're going to the Garlands for dinner."Olivia turned to Steven. "What are you doing?" She asked him. Steven dialed his cell phone.
Steven spoke to a person on the other end of the phone. "Lamai, it's Steven. I'm at the store with Olivia, and Noah. We ran into a mutual friend. Do you have room at your dinner table for Rafael Barba?