Holiday Healing (On Hold)

Prologue

Dedicated to Oli (TheBibicalSinner), whose daily updates have inspired me to get my ass in gear and finally start writing again. Go check him out, if you haven't already!

Original: 12/21/2016

...

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go..."

Chicago during Christmas was exactly like the Christmas songs described. Lights were hanging all over downtown and Christmas displays were up all down the streets. What the songs didn't discuss was the bitter cold and slushy snow and ice. Sveta wrapped her scarf tighter around her face and hunched down more into her coat to protect her face from the harsh wind. Early December in Chicago may have been home to unforgiving weather, but at least there'd be a white Christmas this year.

"This is what I get for waiting until the cold set in to finish my Christmas shopping," Sveta grumbled as another gust of wind threatened to blow her hat off her head. She quickened her pace as she approached the store.

"Welcome to Grimble's," the young cashier grumbled. At least Sveta wasn't the only one who wasn't thrilled about being out in the cold today.

Sveta gave a quick wave to the already bored cashier and made her way to the back of the store. Her office was doing secret Santa gifts, and she knew her colleague Laura would enjoy a nice pair of warm, fuzzy Christmas socks to add to her growing collection of crazy socks. After finding a pair of green Grinch socks for Laura and a new scarf for her sister Jasmina, Sveta made her way to the cashier to check out before venturing back out into the cold.

"$25.63," the cashier let her know. "These are cute socks. I need to get myself a pair. The heat in my apartment is broken and it's getting colder and colder."

"Oh Lord, I hope they fix it soon. They said it's supposed to be in the negatives all week," Sevta sympathized. She couldn't imagine having to brave this cold with no heat to look forward to. "Try taping your windows until your heat is fixed. That should at least keep the cold air out."

"Thanks! I'll try that. Happy holidays!" When Sveta paid and left, the cashier looked to be in a better mood. She was glad she could make someone's day at least a little better.

Sveta rushed from Grimble's to her favorite little coffee shop for her second cup that day. Once again she hadn't slept, and she was getting frustrated with how her body was responding to the lack of sleep.

"Hey Tia!" the cute barista called to her. "You want your usual, or are you gonna get a little more adventurous today?" he joked.

"Hey Tom. No, the usual sounds good. Can you add an extra shot of espresso?" she tiredly asked.

"Sure. Long night?"

"Not any longer than normal," was her usual response. Sveta checked to see if she had any emails from work. The new rebranding project was going much slower than they had anticipated, and a lot of that had to do with the client not knowing what she wanted. She had already changed her mind about the colors and fonts twice in a week, and while that didn't impact the concept too much, it was starting to become a nuisance and a habit. If it continued this way, they would probably have to terminate the contract.