Chapter 39
Thanksgiving required two folding tables.
Lisa invited everyone.
This was a mistake.
Marcus brought Hannah.
Claire brought Ethan even though Ethan had been invited separately.
Sofia brought three pies.
Elena brought wine and remembered halfway through dinner that several people at the table were not old enough to drink it.
Robert cooked the turkey.
Comet stole a roll.
Caleb and his mother came for dessert.
Jake looked around the room.
One year earlier he would not have known most of these people.
Noah sat beside him.
Their knees touched under the table.
Lisa made everyone say something they were thankful for.
Marcus complained.
Then said Hannah.
Hannah kissed his cheek.
Claire said control.
Ethan said second chances.
Claire looked at him.
“Careful.”
He nodded.
“Not forgiveness.”
She relaxed.
Sofia said good salt.
Nobody knew whether she was joking.
Elena said her son.
Noah looked down.
Robert said family.
Lisa cried.
Then it reached Jake.
He hated organized emotion.
Everyone waited.
Jake looked at Noah.
“Pants.”
Noah stared.
Marcus choked.
Jake smiled.
“I’m thankful the first time I met my boyfriend, I had extra clothes.”
Noah kicked him under the table.
Jake laughed.
Then he looked around again.
“And this.”
He did not need to explain.
Nobody made him.