The Most Wonderful Time of the Year?

Chapter 14 -Theo

I strode through the many people that were now filling the room, many of whom I knew were friends of my parents. People I had little to do with as the years passed. People I did not particularly like. People, that were in so many ways like The Andersons. Why they needed this many people at their holiday celebrations I do not know. But, for as long as I could remember, this was what their holiday parties had been like. My Dad had said on many occasions he believed it was Annabel's way to avoid spending time with her own family. And, considering how I had recently seen how she treated Autumn, my Dad's words made more and more sense...

“Theo?” I heard my Mum’s voice from the chair in which she sat, talking to a woman I did not recognize.

I waved to her but continued walking. I did not have time to be forced to make polite conversation with some randomer from the village. Because I can guarantee if I stopped that is exactly what would happen. That is what had happened anytime I had gone anywhere with my Mum or Dad since arriving home. Anytime they bumped into anyone they knew it had developed into an eternally long conversation, as they proudly told them I was home, and they told them of my amazing journey around the globe – as much as I loved my traveling, I think my parents did like to exaggerate, and make it sound more than it was, to create it into something they could be more proud of.

And, right now, I did not have time to hear how amazing my travels were, because I needed to find Autumn. I needed to see if she was okay. And, as I walked through the doorway out into the large open hallway, my eyes darted around the large space but could see no sign of her. I doubted she would have gone to the kitchen as I was sure her sister was headed in the that direction. So, I took a guess and headed toward the stairs, running as I went.

Just as I reached the top of the staircase, somewhat out of breath (safe to say I may need to start going back to the gym!) I caught a glimpse of Autumn heading into a bedroom. Strangely, she was on the same corridor we were staying. Surely she had her own bedroom here, did she not? But, I had no time to ponder over that, as I continued to follow her, and went to knock upon the door she had just escaped into.

I stood outside the door, realizing it was literally a couple of doors down from the room I had been given, still confused by the fact Autumn was not staying in her own bedroom in her family home, as the door opened, almost tentatively. Autumn was standing there looking like she had been crying. Not that I can say I was surprised. Her head dropped when she saw me.

“What are you doing here?” she muttered.

“Wow. I just bust a lung running up here for you, and that is how you greet me?” I teased her with a grin, causing her to look up at me, and she smiled almost sadly at me. Good. I had hopefully broken the tension.

“Sorry.” She mumbled. “But seriously, I think it is better you ae not seen with me.”

I guess I could understand her logic, especially after the way her Mum had spoken to her, though it ws more directed at me, but I was not giving up on her. “Oh, and who is going to see us up here? Who have you got hiding out in your room that is going to judge us for talking?” I teased once more. “I wanted to check you were okay, Autumn, is there anything wrong with that considering how your Mum spoke to you?”

She opened her bedroom door and allowed me inside, quickly closing the door behind me. “I am fine.” She said coldly.

“And now the truthful answer? Because you don’t need to pretend with me. I can only imagine how it has to hurt having them treat you like that sweetheart.”

Autumn perched herself on the bed, giving me a shrug. “I told you I was used to it. And, in all honesty, Theo, I don’t really feel like talking about it.” Her sigh was heavy, like the weight of the world was upon her shoulders. I joined her on the edge of the bed, looking around the room, which was almost a carbon copy of the room I had been given.

“We could hide out here for the holidays?” I suggested, gently tapping her with my elbow.

“In my room?” she questioned, and I grinned.

“Beats having to spend time with all of the entitled lords and ladies, does it not?” I rolled my eyes, and she smiled.

“I wish I had stayed home. But, even home isn’t the same anymore.” She said, her voice barely a whisper.

“Because it was the home you and your husband shared?” I asked. I suggested that because it seemed the obvious reason.

Autumn took me by surprise as she laughed, a short, ironic laughter, as she shook her head. “I wish that is all it was. He wants me to sell the house. My house… one I dreamed of… my own piece of happiness. Peace. Away from here.”

I could hear the pain in her voice, and knew that this hurt more than anything. She was losing what she had worked hard for, and it hurt...

“You don’t have to sell.” I suggested, sure that there had to be a way around it; but the look upon her face told me she was going to have little choice.

“He owns half the house.”

Her words were curt and to the point, and at that point I understood. I nodded. I did not know the complicated details of how divorces worked, but I imagine he could dictate what happened as much as her then. And from what she was implying that was exactly what he was doing. “Could you not buy his half? Make the house yours?”

She nodded. “In an ideal world. But he left us in debt. Debt I did not know of... I have nothing left. I married a f*****g lost cause, Theo. One my parents told me was a great guy, believe it or not.”

I felt fury bubbling through me. Why did that not surprise me? So, this poor girl was going to be left with nothing because of an ass of a man? A man recommended to her by her own f*****g parents...

“So…” I began.

“I am f****d. Yeah.” She interrupted, with that same short ironic laughter. “And my parents have no f*****g idea.”