Erin, my friend, I think the world needs specifically Kiki/Jackae with "My flight was canceled and I went home to find my ex cheating on me, so now I'm at this pub"
Max, my friend, you are absolutely correct.
I'm doing this one first since this doesn't technically take place during the holiday season. So use your imagination for when this takes place, since it's a prequel to Squirrel's Trip.
Read on ao3
"My flight got canceled, so I went home to find my husband cheating on me with my brother, so now I'm here at this pub."
Kiki stared at her friend blankly as Jackae took another swig of pinot grigio after her rambled speech. All she was planning was to just say hi and then go back to dinner with her family, but now she's in an impromptu therapy session.
Kiki took a deep breath, "Okay, can you start from the beginning? Because that was a lot for me to take in after sitting through my kid's soccer game."
Jackae nodded as she put her empty wine glass down on the bar. "I was supposed to go to my old coworker's wedding, but they're having bad weather in Calgary, so the flight got canceled and they didn't have anything until tomorrow," she explained as she took a quick break to eat a fry from her plate before continuing.
"I texted my husband to let him know what happened and I was getting a ride home from Grace. He never texted me back, and I found him in our bed with my brother. So I screamed at them to get out of my house, and now I'm here." she shrugged apathetically.
"Wow, Jackae. That's...that's a lot." Kiki said. She wasn't sure how else to comfort her friend. " I'm sorry to hear that." she put a comforting hand on Jackae's shoulder.
The other woman shrugged, "I have no idea what I'm supposed to do now." The bartender refilled her wine glass as she took a sip of the provided water. "It kinda feels like I should have known it was coming, but it just came out of nowhere."
Kiki tried to sit up a little straighter, hoping to appear more like the put-together friend that Jackae needed right now. "Well if there's anything that you need, just let me know. I'm here for you right now," she said, taking a glance at her family at the table across the dining room.
Her husband was staring at the waitress's cleavage and her sons were still stuffing their faces of the chicken strips they ordered. She didn't think they needed her right now.
Jackae hopped off the bar stool and took another quick sip of wine. "I need to pee, I'll be right back," she said before navigating her way to the restrooms.
With her friend gone, Kiki looked around at the pub around her. Families and groups of friends were all chatting and eating, giving life to an otherwise mundane weekday evening.
Kiki felt so busy keeping up with her kid's extracurricular activities and sports games. All that and keeping up with making sure her husband is happy and all the staff is paid, she never gets a chance to have any time out with her friends.
She watched the mounted television in the corner of the room that was playing a hockey game. The channel went on a commercial break, showing different ads for upcoming shows and restaurant specials. But the last commercial that played was the one that attracted much more of her attention.
"Come stay with us at the Golden Beaver Resort! Here we have invigorating pilates classes, a relaxing spa, daily black-and-white parties, and trips on a private yacht! Rooms are booking up fast, so call now for a special rate. The Golden Beaver Resort LLC is not responsible for any causes of injury, death, or infidelity that may occur on our properties. Rooms booked through third-party sellers may not be eligible for a full refund. We'll see you there!"
The commercial had lively instrumental music, and attractive looking actors as guests and staff members. The resort looked beautiful, with private lake access and spacious rooms. Then she had thought of the perfect thing that her heartbroken friend needed, how she can help.
As Kiki ignored the last part of the commercial, she excitedly spotted Jackae coming back from the restrooms. She had the perfect idea that was going to help not just Jackae, but all her friends.
"I know what you need!" she said while beaming a smile as Jackae got back onto the barstool.
"What's that? A divorce?" she asked as she settled back on the chair, picking up her glass again.
"No, you need-" Kiki stopped herself for a moment, "Well, that too since your husband is a cheating asshole. But you need a vacation!"
Jackae looked away from her wine glass and stared at Kiki after hearing her suggestion, "I just caught my husband cheating on me and you are telling me to just go on a vacation?"
"Well, yeah I am suggesting that," Kiki said, trying to defend her recommendation. "Dwelling on this isn't going to make the problem go away. Maybe spending some time away could help you relax."
Jackae tilted her head in thought, "It's not an awful idea, but who would go on a vacation with a miserable divorcee like me?"
"I'll go." Kiki immediately said. "And we can see if Amber and Ronnie are free. I'm sure Grace won't say no to planning our trip, either," she added.
"Huh," Jackae said as she thought for a moment. "I guess we can also invite my sister too so she can have a break from her fabulous life," she said sarcastically.
"Oooh! Jill would love to go too!" Kiki excitedly said, completely missing Jackae's sarcasm. "I'll call everyone in the morning, this is going to be the best vacation ever!" she waved goodbye to her friend as she went back to her family as her husband paid the bill.
Kiki could hardly contain her excitement for the rest of the night. She wanted to give Jackae the vacation she deserved, and nothing was going to stop her from this trip becoming a total disaster.