Page 85 of The Fall

“That’s exactly what I’m saying.” His grin was cut short by a spoon—full of raw dressing—hitting his face. Rose and I ducked for cover as my mom threw spoonful after spoonful, drenching him in her concoction.

“You’re such a pain in the ass,” he roared, trapping her arms around her body and rubbing the dressing all over her by sliding against her. Rose and I quickly grabbed the broom and cleaned up what we could before resuming the stuffing of the bird. Once we’d completed our task, we looked up to see our parents smiling at us from our former chairs.

“They grow up so fast,” my mom said.

“Yes, they do, baby.” He pulled my mom into a hug. “At least if the turkey is dry this year, for once, it won’t be your fault.” My mom pulled away from his grasp and gave him an elbow to the chest. Grant came down and joined us with a smile. “Whoa, what happened here?”

“Oh, nothing out of the ordinary,” Rose chimed in, taking his hand and leading him into the hallway for what I was sure was a show of affection. I heard murmurs and promises and tried to be happy for her when the slight pang of envy arrived.

I spent the day in the kitchen utilizing some much-needed uninterrupted time with Rose’s fiancé.

“Grant, why the rush to get married? Not that I have any objection,” I added quickly while Rose glared at me, popping the ends off of fresh green beans at the table.

“I’ve wasted enough time with the wrong woman. I want our life to start right now.” He smiled at her, completely unaffected by my question.

“That’s all very romantic, but you do know she will bankrupt you with the grocery bill alone, right?” I laughed as several beans flew at me from her direction. “She eats like a—”

“Like she’s pregnant with triplets. Oh, God, don’t I know it. Last night she had a 3:00 A.M. feeding that gave me nightmares. I mean, really? Peanut butter and mayo?”

A fistful of beans hit him in the head as he chuckled. Grant and I spoke at once to egg her on.

“We should record her and put it on YouTube—”

“I leave half a loaf of bread on her nightstand just so—”

“There will be no ganging up on me!” she declared, rounding the corner with her colander of beans.

“Thank God your mom got a thirty-pound turkey,” Grant finished as she dropped the beans in the sink and swung the faucet handle on him.

“Go ahead, say something else,” she threatened as she turned the water on, holding the nozzle dangerously close to his crotch.

“You two would make Mom and Dad proud,” I said, seeing Rose’s face burst with pride and her demeanor soften with the words. I laughed as she threw herself in his arms, kissing him repeatedly as he laughed at her outburst. I checked my messages, giving them a moment alone as I stepped outside.

DEAN: Are you home?

DALLAS: Yes, you?

DEAN: Yes. We’re having steak.

DALLAS: Oh no, she forgot?

DEAN: Yes, but that’s okay. She’s doing well.

DALLAS: Come on, bring her over. We have plenty.

I waited for his reply. I missed him terribly, and this was the perfect excuse to see him without worrying about how he would interpret it. I still didn’t trust myself, but I was working on it.

DEAN: She doesn’t leave this house, Dallas.

DALLAS: Wouldn’t hurt to try.

DEAN: I’ll see what I can do. What time are you eating?

DALLAS: Around six.

DEAN: Okay.

DALLAS: I really want you to come.

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