Page 87 of One Night

I pull into the driveway. "She made that during her wood crafting stage, which didn't last long. That's the only project she finished."

"She did a good job on it. It looks like actual books. Does she do other crafts?"

"Not currently, at least not that I know of. But as I was telling you, she really gets into her Thanksgiving table decor so if you want to win her over, compliment her centerpiece."

As we get out of the car, the front door opens and my dad comes out, wearing gray trousers and one of his old man sweaters. I call them that because people haven't worn sweaters like that since the Eighties, when he was in high school. He swears they're still in fashion but my mom disagrees so he only wears them at home.

"You must be Amber," he says, smiling and holding out his hand.

"Yes." She shakes his hand. "Nice to meet you."

"Come inside. We're having some appetizers before the big meal."

"She didn't make those salmon puffs again, did she?" I ask my dad as we go in the house. When guests come over, my mom attempts to make fancy appetizers, which are usually not very good.

"She didn't have time," he says. "Just cheese and crackers and some of those little meatballs."

We go in the house, which is filled with the smell of turkey. My dad walks ahead, leading us to the kitchen where my mom is busy at the stove.

"Dana, our son is here with his girlfriend." He picks up a baby carrot from a tray and pops it in his mouth.

She stops stirring whatever she's making and hurries over to us. "Amber, right?" She smiles at her.

"Yes. Nice to meet you."

"Would you like something to drink? We have pop, water, coffee, tea."

"Nothing for now." Amber looks around at the kitchen, which is a mess. My mom doesn't clean up until after we eat so dirty pots and pans are scattered everywhere. "Do you need help with anything?"

"No, everything's almost done." She waves us away. "You two can go wait in the living room. Gramps is in there. He might be sleeping."

He's not sleeping. He's wide awake, yelling at a football game on TV. It's not even a new game, but one being replayed from a year ago.

"Damn idiot, can't even hold onto the ball!" He shakes his fist from his recliner.

"Gramps, that game is from last year," I tell him as Amber and I sit on the couch.

"Doesn't matter." He keeps his eyes on the game. "The boy still needs to learn how to catch a ball."

"I brought a guest," I say. "This is Amber. My girlfriend." As I say it, I realize that's the first time I've introduced her like that.

He nods at her, then looks back at the TV. "Did you see that play he just made?"

"He's not much for conversation unless it's about sports," I say to Amber.

She smiles. "It's okay."

"Dylan, catch!" my brother yells as he launches a football at me.

"Hey." I grab it before it hits Amber in the head. "Don't be throwing this in the house."

He lumbers over to us, rolling his eyes. "You sound just like Mom."

"You can't play ball in here. You almost hit Amber in the head."

"Hi," she says, offering him a wave.

"Are you his girlfriend?" He stops in front of her.

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