In some ways, Eric was even more thrilled about what he had planned. Some of the items he had been planning on giving her Christmas night in the priva...y of their own room now could be unwrapped with the rest of the presents.Eric and Shelly made the best of being snowed in. There was a fire in their condo's fireplace and a small fir tree decorated in all reds and whites the way Shelly liked. A myriad of candles flickered and glowed and the smells of evergreen and peppermint swirled through the. Jonelle sounded cheerful and friendly, not her usual skittish, careful, secretive self. Since moving to Dallas and getting married, Laura understood, Jonelle had a lot to lose, and she was more careful and tentative than ever. But for some reason, not this time."Yes... I'm here. They sent me here for a couple of days. I just arrived." How lucky." Jonelle sounded almost relieved. "My husband and Eric just left for a camping trip this afternoon."Now Laura understood Jonelle's relaxed manner, her. ’ I thought about how the play would have been received in V1’s world and looked around to see if there were any armed protesters. Didn’t see anyone.The play took place in a small town in Indiana where a new minister had just arrived to take over the local congregation leadership. He was a recent seminary graduate and wore a clerical collar. The whole farce was based around his wife, actor friend, and helpful neighbors, all thinking it was funny that he would dress so formally and teasing him. Zoey barely knew him at all after 2years of living together, but he seemed to have an entitled streak, anda bit of an anger issue. As a result, Zoey didn't really like the guy,but he paid his rent on time every month, so she lived with him. Wherehe got the money without working, Zoey didn't know.Spiriting passed the lazy redhead, she shut her room door behind herbefore flopping onto the bed with a groan, letting the VHS and thecrystal bounce against the mattress with her, before laying on.