Free Ticket 1207 by Robin Alexander Page A

drink sloshing out of the glass, clad in her holiday red velvet pantsuit. “You need to do something with yourself, a little lipstick and mascara wouldn’t hurt. Time’s running out for you to find a woman who can dress herself and you, too.”
    The usual question and comments didn’t have the same gnawing effect on Jill, but a sharp retort flew out of her mouth anyway. “And you’re still pickling your egg, I see. Your mustache is looking really lush, have you done something different with it?”
    “Please don’t go,” Nadia whispered behind Jill with a snicker.
    “It does look darker, did you dye it, Bertie?” Rene asked innocently.
    Bertie snarled and walked away. Jill chuckled and kissed Rene and Nadia on their cheeks. “I love you two. Cover for me.”

Chapter 8

    Shawn had let herself through the gate behind Jill’s building. She sat in her car wondering if perhaps she was being too presumptuous. She didn’t tell Jill that she was coming by. Suddenly, a notion struck her hard. Jill could be seeing someone else, as well, and what if she showed up with her date? In a panic, she shifted into reverse and prepared to make a hasty escape when the gate suddenly opened. Like a deer, she was trapped in the headlights.
    Jill pulled in beside her and hopped out of her car with a huge smile. “What a nice surprise, and I thought this night was going to totally suck.”
    “I brought you a Christmas tree. It’s little, but I thought you should at least have one to bring in Christmas. It’s live, so you can enjoy it year-round.”
    Jill’s jaw sagged as Shawn pulled the miniature cypress from the trunk of her car. “It’s adorable. It’ll go perfectly on the table next to my French doors,” she said and planted a quick kiss on Shawn’s lips. “Thank you.” She grabbed Shawn’s arm. “Come inside.”
    Shawn was thrilled that Jill didn’t seem the least bit put off that she was there. “I realize now that I should’ve called, but I wanted to surprise you.”
    Jill looked over her shoulder as she unlocked the door. “You can surprise me anytime. Can you stay for a while?”
    “As long as you want.”
    “What do you normally do on Christmas Day?” Jill asked as she climbed the narrow stairs ahead of Shawn.
    I sleep in, then I treat myself to something really unhealthy for breakfast. This is followed by hours on the sofa where I eat junk food and catch up on work. What do you do?”
    “I’ve been sick every Christmas Day since my dad died—well, not really, but that’s my excuse not to go to my mother’s. I pretty much do the same as you.”
    Once they were in the apartment, Shawn went directly to the table Jill had mentioned and set the tree on it. “What do you think?”
    “It’s adorable, thank you so much.” Jill pursed her lips as she stared at it. “Now I regret throwing all my decorations away. Do you know how to string popcorn?”
    “I’ve never done it, but I can be trained.”
    “Okay, you go into the pantry and find the popcorn, and I’m going to rustle up a needle and some thread.” Jill turned to go, then spun around. “Are you hungry?”
    “I could eat.”
    “Pizza?”
    Shawn grinned. “I can always eat that.”
    Jill pulled her phone from her pocket. “Got ’em on speed dial.”
    In the pantry, Shawn found the popcorn and howled with delight. She turned on the stove and set the metal pan atop the burner. She was shaking the hell out of it when Jill returned a few minutes later. “I love the swami hat kind! Look at how it’s rising.”
    Jill leaned against the counter and gazed at Shawn. “You’re totally in touch with your inner child, aren’t you?”
    “Absolutely,” Shawn said as she stared at what really did look like a swami hat rising up from the pan as the corn popped. Sometimes, you have to just let the kid out. I think it’s done.” Shawn switched off the heat as she removed the pan from the burner. “Can we eat it right out of the hat?”
    “We’re