Resting Scrooge Face

by Meghan Quinn

“You know, ‘bah, humbug’ would have been less wordy.” “Noted,” I answer.

It’s the kind of ambiance that should warm the soul of every person who strolls down the streets. Unfortunately for me, it’s doing nothing to thaw my ice-cold heart.

It’s almost as if everyone in this upper level has decided to stand still and close their mouths for once. I hear nothing but the roar of my own heart. No chipmunks singing about wanting a Hula-Hoop. No faint jingle bells jangling from ugly sweaters.

See the steam coming out of her ears? Yup, I’ve done it now. She rears back an inch, her eyes blazing with fury. “That’s between me and his ties. Best you stay out of it.” “I didn’t even want to be near it in the first place.”

“I said that because I was too scared to think I could be anywhere but Bright Harbor.” “So that’s why you lived in Boston for a year?” she asks. *Gasp* Plot twist! How the hell did she know about that?

“What are you looking for?” she asks. “Your manners?” I shoot her a seething glare. “He hasn’t had manners for years,” Arden says. “Afraid he lost those a while ago.”

I wasn’t asked to help out this year, and if I’m being honest, the summer program didn’t pack the punch it normally does, and I know it’s because my woodwork wasn’t put to good use.” “Out of fear of you showing everyone your wood.” He raises one brow, which of course only makes me laugh some more. “All they saw was underwear, and they didn’t even get a good look because my blazing-white legs probably blinded them.”

“Wow, I think that might be worse than pantsing myself in front of children.” “A close second.”

I had the best laughs with you by my side. And even when we went through some hard times, knowing I had you to lean on took away some of the pain.