Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 115833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
“All of this looks really good, Liv,” a deep voice said from the end of the table. I cut my eyes to my dad’s, and he was smiling proudly at my mom as he placed a few cuts of turkey on his plate.
“Thank you, Josh.”
I clenched my jaw, dumping a spoonful of macaroni and cheese onto my plate.
“How about we go around the table and share a reason why we’re thankful this year. Yeah?” Mama insisted, looking at everyone.
I shook my head as Whitney groaned and Eli said “Yay!”
“I’ll go first.” Mama took a sip of sweet tea, then rubbed her lips together. “I’m thankful that I have my children here with me and my sweet little Eli,” she cooed, pointing her fork at him. “I’m also thankful for this food that took me all morning to finish up, so y’all better eat up and make sure you take some home with you.”
Everyone laughed as she gestured to Camille.
“I’m thankful for wine,” Camille said, raising her glass, and Mama swatted at her. I smiled as Camille grinned. “Okay, okay. I’m thankful for being alive today and being surrounded by family.”
“I’m thankful for my family and the sweet potato pie we get to eat after this!” Eli shouted, making us all chuckle.
“I’m thankful for football,” Jack said with sorrow. He was upset that he was missing some of the NFL game due to Mama’s limited-screen-time rule.
“Aw, Jack. It’ll be okay. You can watch it when you get back home,” Mama said. She pointed her gaze to her former husband. “And you, Josh?”
He sat up taller in his chair and cleared his throat as he glanced at all the food on the table. He then shifted his gaze to each of us. It didn’t surprise me that he couldn’t look into our eyes for long.
“I’m thankful to be here, to see my kids again, and for your delicious cooking, Liv. I, uh . . . I know you all probably wish I wasn’t here, but I appreciate you for embracing me and letting me share a meal with you. I’ve, uh . . . well, I know I’ve missed out on so many years, and I’m sorry for that. But I’ve missed you all, and I hope to rebuild a relationship with you, if you let me.”
The table fell silent, minus the scraping and clinking of silverware. I couldn’t stand it.
“Are you not going to mention Damon?” I asked, looking from my plate to him.
His eyes rounded, then he blinked rapidly, turning his attention to my mother, who said my name in a calm warning. “You know Damon is with us in spirit,” Mama said.
“He could be here right now in the physical sense if it weren’t for him. I really don’t understand why he’s here.”
“Declan,” Mama hissed at me.
“Deke, come on,” Camille chided.
Davina’s hand was on my lap, rubbing, and I swear that was the only thing calming me down. “You’re right. You’re right.” I raised both my hands in a guiltless resolve. “Let’s get back to this good food.”
A stretch of awkward silence filled the room, then Mama cleared her throat and said, “Whitney? Anything you’re thankful for?”
“Yeah, Mama. I’m just thankful to be here . . . and for wine, like Camille said.”
That got them to laugh and to erase the awkward spell.
“Davina, how about you, love?” Mama asked, popping a piece of moist turkey into her mouth.
“Oh. Um . . . well, I’m thankful to be with you all this year. I’m glad I met Deke and that he felt comfortable enough to introduce me to all of you. It’s so nice to be surrounded by the people he loves, and I see why he can never stop talking about any of you.” Davina gave my arm a squeeze, and I leaned over, kissing her cheek.
“Well, we are so happy to have you, Davina, and we hope to have many more holidays with you. Trust me, I never thought I’d see the day this boy brought a girl home.” Mama tapped my nose, and I fought a smile. “What are you thankful for, son?”
I lowered my fork and took a look at everyone around the table. Then I said, “Survival. I’m thankful we all survived and came out on the other side.”
I glanced at my dad, and he stared right back at me with glossy eyes. He lowered his head to focus on his food, and I wasn’t sure what it was about the way he did it, but for the first time since I was a teenager, I actually felt sorry for him.
SIXTY-SEVEN
DEKE
As much as I would have loved staying with my family a bit longer, I had to leave if I wanted to make it back to Atlanta for my next game.
When it was time to go, I hugged my mom and sisters, bid farewell to Eli and Jack, then eyed my dad, who stood in a corner, drinking sweet tea.