Happier A Christmas Love Story

Chapter 1 (Erica)

I wipe the tears from my face as I speed down the highway towards my one bedroom apartment. How could he, with our wedding just 2 weeks away, and with my best friend no less. Throwing on the brakes I run up to my apartment and unlock the door a new wave of tears flows as I see all my boxes packed up and ready to be moved over to Darren's house. 

Darren Howard, my ex college sweetheart we planned to have a winter wedding just before Christmas, that was until I found him in bed with my now ex best friend Sheri. 

I need to get away I need a breather. 

Picking up my phone I dial the number of the one person I know can help me. "Heyyyyy Bitch" Marvins voice came through, "whats up" I sniffle

"Who the fuck do I have to kill who made my bitch cry" Marvin spits out angry. "Marvin its ok, I just caught Darren cheating on me with Sherri and I don't really want to talk about it, I was calling because I remember your cousin talking about that cabin place when we went to the gay bar and I was wondering what it was called, I need a weekend alone with some seclusion" 

"Oh ok girl, the place is called Mountain Side Cabins and don't you worry about booking and paying for it Hun I put it on my credit card for you, you might want to head out now and make it there before dark, and my bitch if you need anything I will be just a phone call away, also I gave them a list of food to stock up in your cabin, on me as well girl go have your weekend to relax and I will keep Darren off your tail" 

"Thank you Marvin, you are the worlds greatest gay best friend and best friend. I will text you when I get there"

The click of the phone tells me he has hung up the phone, I packed a bag for the weekend, looked up the directions. Next thing I know I am locking my apartment door and saying goodbye to my life for a few days lord knows I need it. 

As I drive out to the Cabins I start thinking about how this could quite possibly be the worst Christmas I have ever experienced, though Christmas isn't for another 4 weeks I was supposed to be getting married in 2 and spending Christmas on my honeymoon in Havana. Now I am most likely going to be spending it alone eating Chinese and watching How The Grinch Stole Christmas. 

When I pull up to the grounds I get to the registration lodge, when I enter the lodge I am met with a high ceiling showing off the upper level and an 8 ft tall Christmas tree decorated and shining by a warm fireplace. A sign near the bell on the front desk reads "Ring For Assistance" as I ring the bell a warm looking older lady appears from a back room of some sorts. 

"Why hello dear how can I help you?" She asks 

"My name is Erica Bridges I have booked a cabin here for the weekend, my friend Marvin called it in" "Ah yes I see, but there is a slight problem see that cabin has been double booked and unfortunately we have no other cabins available would you mind sharing the cabin with another customer?" I hesitate due to the fact that I really wanted to be alone this weekend before I can answer the lady say "It is a two bedroom so you will have privacy" 

"Ok then I suppose it will be ok to share with someone, do you know when they are due to be arriving?" I reply 

"I am afraid not, they never gave a time just said that they would be here at some point on this evening." She says "But anywho here is your key to the cabin, they have working television, a movie collection, a small kitchen, two bedrooms and 1 bathroom, as well as a living room and a heated deck area"

"Thank you Miss." I say walking away 

"Please dear call me Martha" 

" Thank you Martha" I smile and head back out to my car. I drive towards the cabin it is 2 stories and looks very small on the outside. I head inside after locking my car "I need a cigarette" is all I think as I walk into the cabin, as I walk across the threshold it is a lot bigger than I would have expected, high ceilings log interior and a warm feeling, the floors are carpeted aside from the 1 bathroom and the kitchen. I head up the stairs to the second story to claim a bedroom to myself. I set my bag down and quickly change into a pair of sweat pants and an old band t shirt. I take out my contacts and replace them with my glasses and take out my high pony to let my long blonde hair cascade down my back. 

I pull a carton of cigarettes out of my bag I stopped at a gas station and grabbed them along with  4 lighters. I promised Darren that I would quit smoking for him because I loved him enough to do anything to have a long happy committed life to him, clearly that meant nothing to him so fuck it, I throw on some slippers and head down the stairs out to the heated deck area to have a smoke. As I bring the cigarette to my lips and inhale I remember why I smoked in the first place, it was my crutch my stress reliever, but I was willing to give that up for him, not anymore. I sit down and relax while I puff the cigarette, for a moment..nothing matters not Darren and not Sherri, I am relaxed and calm and not thinking about how fucked up everything is. 

I head back inside after throwing the butt out off the deck, I move to the kitchen in a zombie-like state. I make myself a hot chocolate and head to the living room. As I am taking in the scenery of the living room I notice a vinyl record player in the corner. I decide to put on some Christmas piano classics I take a deep breath as I sink into the couch and pull a blanket over me, I watch the flames of the fireplace until I slowly fall asleep on the couch completely relaxed to the music.