Page 38 of The Very First Night

“Not as much as they once did. Technology has kind of shifted things, but I like to.”

I nod in understanding. His love for drawing isn’t all that different from my love of photography…I just hope that I can find success in it in the same way that he’s found a way to shape his love of drawing into a career path.

“Dinner is ready!” Mrs. Adler calls from the kitchen.

Larry clicks the TV off within seconds, earning a groan from the young men next to him.

“No complaining,” Larry says sternly.

Tanner’s brothers, Thomas and Theo, could not be more different. I can tell they’re brothers, but each of them seems to have leaned toward one parent more than the other, while Tanner seems to be an equal mix of his parents, with his father’s height, nose, and blasé attitude and his mother’s beautiful green eyes and full lips.

As I step through the doorway into the spacious dining room, my mouth drops open in awe. The long wooden table spans the length of the room, its surface adorned with an incredible array of Thanksgiving dishes. Each dish is a work of art, lovingly prepared and arranged with precision and care. The rich, savory scent of roasted turkey fills the air, accompanied by the sweet scent of freshly baked pies. My stomach growls in anticipation as I take in the feast fit for a king, a testament to the love this family shares.

My eyes linger on the far end of the table where the desserts are laid out, a perfectly prepared cheesecake sitting amidst the otherwise traditional holiday desserts.

I chuckle, pulling Tanner’s attention in my direction.

“Cheesecake,” I say.

“Cheesecake.” He grins down at me with a quirk of his brow.

We settle into our seats on one side of the table and his brothers find seats on the other. His parents sit at the opposite ends of the table.

Tanner’s brothers eagerly pile their plates high with Thanksgiving delicacies, barely concealing their impatience for the meal to begin. Their elbows jostle and forks clink against plates as they dig in with ravenous excitement, oblivious to the traditional rules of etiquette.

Tanner appears to take their lead and reaches for a massive scoop of mashed potatoes. He turns to me and asks, “Mashed potatoes?”

I nod, and he plops the scoop onto my plate before loading his own up with the same absurd amount of the fluffy side dish. We go through the same routine as he scans the table for different offerings—turkey, sweet potatoes, my own green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and more. Every time he reaches for a spoon or spear, he looks at me to ask if I would like something.

Before I know it, my plate is piled high with more food than I know what to do with. So I do what any sane person would do—I dig in.

“These green beans are fantastic!” Tanner’s dad, Larry, declares from the end of the table. Elaine informs him that I made them, causing him to turn to me with adoration. “You’re an incredible cook, Kat.”

“It was just the recipe from the can.”

“Nonsense—you made it your own. It’s delicious.”

I glance at Tanner, who simply smiles at me with a shrug before digging back into his meal.

Dinner passes in a whirlwind of conversation. I learn that Tanner’s brothers are fifteen and eighteen and that the older of the two—Thomas—is in his senior year of high school. He heckles me for a bit about where I went to high school, but overall the Adlers are the picture of kindness. Elaine continuously asks me questions about my life, and not a single one of them feels insincere. She asks if I’d be willing to take photos for her company picnic over the summer, and I’m giddy with delight at the prospect of another job to add to my portfolio.

As we transition into dessert, Tanner makes no attempts to hide his enthusiasm for his precious cheesecake. He piles almost half the pie onto his plate with delight before turning to me and asking if I’d like some.

When dinner comes to an end, I find myself oddly disappointed at the realization that it’s over. Tanner’s family are some of the kindest people I’ve ever met. Leaving isn’t something I expected would sadden me, so when Tanner’s eyes meet mine, I know with certainty that he can tell what’s plaguing me.

“Don’t for a second think that my mom is going to let her claws out of you any time soon.”

He poses it as a warning, but I know what it is. Reassurance.

“Thank you.”

“If you keep saying that, I may think you’re malfunctioning.” He laughs. “Seriously, Kat. I’m glad you could come. If nothing else, you gave my parents someone to dote on that isn’t me.”

I roll my eyes before he pulls me into a hug and whispers, “Call Elijah. I know you said he’s busy, but I also know you want to talk to him and you shouldn’t be made to feel like you can’t.” He squeezes me tightly before letting go.

I nod. “I will.”

“And drive safe.”

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