54. Chapter 53
Chapter 53
Beth
D oug spent Thanksgiving with me, my mom, and Chase. He’d come over early to help me prep and to watch Chase. When I said goodbye to pick up my mom, he told me not to worry; he and Chase wouldn’t let anything happen to the turkey. Chase had giggled, because it didn’t make any sense to him, but it was Doug’s way of telling me he had everything under control.
I loved him for it .
Chase was so excited about helping Doug, he barely said goodbye. They were in charge of making the mashed potatoes and mac and cheese while I was gone.
This might be our first holiday together, but it feels natural to have him here .
I stopped by the cemetery, before going to my mom’s. I wanted to wish Phil a happy Thanksgiving in heaven and let him know Chase and I would be okay. I’d told him about Doug on a previous visit, and knew in my heart he’d approve of him, not just for me but for Chase too.
Luckily, my mom was having a good day and had the energy and strength to walk to my car with only her cane for help. I helped her into the car and put her cane in the back seat before getting behind the wheel.
“Doug’s a little nervous about meeting you.” I told her as I pulled out of her driveway.
“As he should be.”
I was happy to hear the hint of mischief in her voice. As her health continued to decline, she had more bad days than good. Thankfully, her mind is still sharp .
“Now Mom, be nice.” I playfully chastised her. I had no doubt she would be. She wanted me to be happy, and she could tell I was from the way my eyes lit up whenever I talked about Doug. Mary said the same thing.
“I will be, but I’m meeting the man courting my daughter for the first time, so I have to make sure he’s good enough for her.” I glanced over in time to see her smirk. She was enjoying this, playing the protective mother.
There was no logical reason for me to be nervous; I knew my mom would like him, and he’d like her. Any doubts I might have had before were removed when I overheard Chase telling her how much he liked Mr. Doug during our last visit.
She’d said, “I have a feeling I’ll like him too because he makes your mom happy.”
Stupid happy tears .
Doug and Chase were setting the table when we walked in. Doug took the orange and brown cloth napkins from Chase so he could greet his grandmother with empty hands. Then walked over after setting down the utensils he’d been setting out.
I loved how Doug found fun ways to include Chase in different chores. They make a great team . It not only strengthened their bond, but it helped teach Chase to be a self-sufficient man. Something I’d sworn I’d do early on and had been working towards since he was old enough to swish a play broom. I didn’t want Chase to be the kind of man woman complained about.
Thankfully, Phil hadn’t been that kind of man. Neither is Doug.
“Chase, why don’t you introduce Grandma to Mr. Doug?” I encouraged after he started listing off all the things he’d done to help us today.
“Okay.” He took my mom’s hand and led her to Doug. I watched to make sure he remembered what I’d told him about being careful. So did Doug.
“Grandma, this is Mr. Doug.”
Doug held out his hand for a handshake, but Chase hadn’t let go of her free hand.
“Chase, I need my hand sweetie.” My mom pulled her hand free and shook Doug’s. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Burnell.”
“None of that Mrs. Burnell nonsense, you can call me Dolly, or Mom.”
I knew she’d approve of him but hadn’t expected it to happen before she took off her coat.
Doug nodded, his smile as he made eye contact with me radiated pure joy. Despite my reassurances, he’d been nervous about meeting her. “Can I help you with your coat?”
“Thank you, Mr. Doug,” she answered, causing Chase to giggle. He knew adults didn’t use the Mr. or Mrs. like he had to.
“None of that, you can call me Doug.” He winked at Chase before helping my mom wiggle out of her coat. “Can you hang up your Grandma’s coat?”
“Yes, sir,” Chase answered the same way he’d heard the guys answer John countless times.
Even if I hadn’t found a good man to love me and help me raise Chase, he still would have grown into a damn fine man.
My mother laughed before asking, “When did he start saying that?”
“He picked it up at Sheppard & Sons,” I answered, knowing I didn’t need to say anymore. She’d met John, and understood the dynamic in the family.
When the food was done, Doug and I made plates for my mom and Chase, then for ourselves. Because my mom couldn’t drink alcohol, I served her and Chase sparkling grape juice. Doug and I enjoyed a sweet white wine.
Dinner was filled with lots of love, laughter, and delicious food.
Mom was feeling a little weak after dinner, so Doug helped her walk her to the couch.
“You’re a true gentleman, Mr. Doug,” she patted him on the arm, “and a perfect role model for my grandson.”
Color rose in Doug’s cheeks as he thanked her.
“Come sit with me Chase. I want to hear all about school," my mom said.
“Okay.” Chase ran to the living room and hopped up onto the couch. “Yesterday we couldn’t have recess…”
I tuned him out as Doug and I finished cleaning up. Doug put the food away before carving the rest of the meat from the turkey and setting the bones aside so I could use them to make broth later. While he did that, I rinsed the dishes and loaded the dishwasher.
“Have you always made your own bone broth?” Doug asked as he watched me shove the turkey skeleton into my crockpot.
“Yup. Mom always made her own and she taught me how.”
“That’s cool. My mom wasn’t much of a cook, not that she couldn’t,” he paused, “she just preferred not to.”
I didn’t like the sad expression that crossed his face so I turned the conversation back.
“It’s easy. You fill the crockpot with the bones, add water, and cook for thirty-six to forty-eight hours.”
“That’s it?”
“I add celery, carrots, onion, and garlic for the last twelve to eighteen hours. It doesn’t change the flavor much, but it adds extra nutrients.”
I could see his mind working. He was a guy who liked to eat T-Bone steaks, BBQ ribs, and chicken wings. “Can you use any bones?”
“You can, and you can mix them.” I secured the lid and turned the pot on low. “I keep a bone bag in my freezer. When I have enough to fill the pot, I make broth.”
“I’ll have to try it.” He wrapped his arm around me and kissed the top of my head. “But first I need to buy a crockpot.”
“You can always borrow mine.” I hugged him back.
I could get used to this . We’d only been together for two months, but it felt natural to have him in my kitchen, helping me with a holiday meal. Even if I wasn’t comfortable having him spend the night, yet.
I’d gotten over my concerns about Chase waking up with Doug here, but was still nervous about Chase coming into my room and seeing us together. It might not seem like a big deal to most parents, but I’d slept alone Chase’s entire life.
I was also weirded out at the thought of having another man in the bed I’d shared with Phil, but I was working on it.
Doug will only be patient for so long . And I wanted him here with me.