Falling for the Grinch ✔️

Twenty Seven | Bow

Holly

"What are you going to do?"

Megan's voice echoes through the speaker of my cell phone. I'm staring up at the ceiling in my bedroom while I lay flat on my childhood bed. The glow-in-the-dark stars stare back at me before I hear her voice again.

"Uh, hello? You there?"

I quickly take her off speaker and put her to my ear. "Yeah, sorry," I sigh. "I'm really in my head about this."

"And I don't blame you. You went there for Christmas and fell in love," she pauses. "Which I'm jealous of, not gonna lie, but Holly you got to figure this out."

Groaning, I sit up and pace around my room, my feet cold from the hardwood floors they put here after I graduated high school and ripped up that awful greenish color carpet. "I know, which is why I'm stressing out. My new life is in Seattle with you. It has been for six years, Meg." She listens while I ramble on. "You're in Seattle. My job is in Seattle. My little apartment is in Seattle..."

"And your parents are there in Helena with you, Hols. Your childhood is there. Rhett... Rhett is there."

"Which is why this is so difficult," I let out, running a hand through my messy blonde hair. "I'm scared, Megan."

"I know you are. This whole situation is scary in general. You are hesitant to leave your Mom behind because of her health and then there's this wonderful man who has made you so happy. You're happier than I've ever seen you."

"You technically haven't seen me," I laugh.

She huffs, quickly cutting me off. "You know what I mean. You sound happier. These stories you tell me about him and the days the two of you spend together. I wish I had that."

I shake my head even though she can't see me. It's hard to believe her words because Megan is such an amazing person. She deserves all the great things that are waiting for her. If anyone deserves the feelings Rhett has brought to me... it's Megan.

"I need to talk with my parents."

"That's a good start.. and Rhett?"

I swallow hard, trying not to focus on the dryness in my throat. "I don't know."

"Well," Megan starts. "Whatever decision you make just know I love you so much..."

My eyes well up with tears. "Don't do that, Megaroni. This isn't goodbye."

"Shit, now you got me crying over here." Her sniffles have my eyes watering even more. "Text me later."

❆ ❆ ❆

Later on that evening, I find my Mom taking a casserole dish out of the oven while my Dad puts away the dirty dishes into the dishwasher. He looks my way when I take a seat on the barstool at the kitchen counter.

"Hey, honey," he smiles. "You walked in at the right moment. Supper is done."

The smell of bacon and cheddar cheese fills the room. If I had to guess it's Mom's signature dish.

"Tater-Tot Casserole?"

Mom nods, taking off her oven mittens. "Of course!"