Anna had felt like she was walking on air all week and couldn't stop the smile that was plastered on her face. Eli had told Anna how much he liked Kristoff, and asked if Kristoff could sleep over sometime soon. She had been avoiding it, for obvious reasons, but after their own talk a few nights ago, Anna felt she was ready to tell Eli what was really going on between them.

He was a smart little boy, and she was sure he had already figured out that something was going on, but it felt like a conversation she should sit down and have with him.

Especially considering she had fallen hard and fast, and was absolutely head over heels for Kristoff. And she was pretty sure he felt the same.

It was strange, she thought as she pushed open the door of the restaurant, waving to her coworker, how quickly he had managed to become so important to her. Anna had become a little wary of who she let into her life, and it was safe to say that the weird reindeer man from the hill wasn't high on her list of expected relationships… but it felt right, somehow. They had similar stories, when it came down to it. They understood one another.

It was just right .

Anna went straight to the back to put her bag down when a woman stepped out in front of her.

"O-oh," she stumbled, dropping her keys. She bent down quickly to retrieve them, pushing her bag up further on her shoulder. "I'm so sorry! I didn't see -" It wasn't until she was standing back up, keys in hand, that she noticed just who was standing in front of her.

"J… Josephine."

"Anna."

"What are you doing here?"

Anna's eyes darted around the empty restaurant, trying desperately to catch someone's eye. She needed someone to know she was here, in this situation, and might need help.

"I've… been wondering how you're living." Josephine turned her massive engagement ring on her finger, gaze scanning the restaurant like she was in the slums. "Doesn't seem like a… fruitful career path."

"It's a living," she mumbled, biting at her bottom lip. "It's enough."

"Oh."

Anna could feel her heart pounding in her ears, hammering harder as Josephine's eyes landed back on her. She let out a heavy breath and repeated herself. "What are you doing here?"

Josephine's lips pursed, her perfectly lined lips turned downwards in a frown. "Well since you won't tell me your address, I had to find you some other way. Luckily," she coughed, rolling her eyes. "I have some connections in this little… town."

"Okay, and?"

"Rumor has it…" She had a way of dragging out her point, as if building tension to make sure everyone was listening. "You've become quite good… friends … with the town drunk."

"Excuse me?" Anna's fingers squeezed tighter around the strap of her bag, her face heating. "What are you talking about?"

"That… Bjorgman fellow."

"He's not a drunk."

"That's not what I've heard."

Anna could feel the rage rising in her, her cheeks growing red with frustration. "What does it matter to you, who I'm spending my time with?"

"Well it matters who is spending time with my grandson ." Josephine leaned closer to Anna, her voice lowering. "You seem quick to forget he is still my family."

"Not if I don't want you involved."

A heavy silence fell between them, Josephine's eyebrow raising in contempt. Anna knew she never liked her anyway, so she couldn't understand why she was so insistent on keeping control of her. Anna shook her head, letting out a frustrated laugh. "I have to work. I have to provide for my son . Since you've been no help."

If Josephine were uncultured enough to suck her teeth, Anna was sure that would be the only sound coming from her. But Anna pushed by her, moving to the back office before sinking to the floor and letting herself panic.

In. Out. In. Out. In…

She wiped at her eyes and pulled out her phone, dialing quickly.