Page 42 of Question Everything

“I didn’t realize that Thanksgiving required this much work,” Mia said to Sibby. She watched the other woman rip off part of a page. She’d made a shopping list of a few rogue items still missing but necessary for the big day.

“It’s a finely orchestrated meal, like Christmas or Easter, except without all the religion thrown in,” Sibby kidded. “I guess you don’t recall what your family did to celebrate.”

Mia shook her head. She truly had no idea what happened on this holiday, but if she was being honest, she couldn’t bring up an image of a Christmas or Easter celebration either.

“The thing is,” Sibby began, emptying the remains of the bottle of wine into their glasses, “there are certain family traditions. Expectations, if you will. When the meal is the same year after year, you can’t deviate from what people love to have on their plate. For example, I hate serving sweet potatoes covered in marshmallows, because that’s all the kids will want to eat. But then again, when I was my children’s age, that’s what I wanted as well. As my mom always says, ‘it’s payback time.’”

“What is your favorite dish to eat on this holiday?” Mia asked, not trying to make idle conversation, but rather to use as a roadmap for herself.

“Honestly, by the time I’m finished cooking – which will take two days at the least – I’m over it. None of the food looks appealing. All I see is how many potatoes need to be peeled or how much corn I will have to shuck for the pudding. But I do love the part where we go around the table before dad carves the turkey. We tell each other what we’re thankful for, and that makes it all worthwhile.”

“You don’t eat at all?”

“Generally, not during dinner. I tend to sneak back into the kitchen much later, when I’m finally hungry, and make a Dagwood sandwich.”

“What’s that?”

“Wow. You really remember nothing, huh? It’s a sandwich piled high with all the leftovers. Turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, potatoes — all smothered in gravy. It’s freaking delicious.”

Mia lifted her wineglass and took a sip. “I’d love to learn. I can help you with the preparations. You direct me and I’ll follow orders.”

“Great, Mia. I’m going to take you up on it. My mom loves to help, but sometimes it’s a ‘too many cooks’ situation and we end up arguing on how to do the simplest tasks. She’s slowing downbut unable to accept that she can’t do everything she used to be able to do.”

“That must be hard for you both,” Mia said.

“It’s inevitable,” Sibby said as she turned her head to look out the window. Mia wondered if Sibby was tearing up and didn’t want her to see any sign of weakness. Not that she would have judged Sibby for it, quite the opposite. She admired Kyle’s sister and truly felt as if she’d made a friend.

“Look at those stars,” Sibby exclaimed, taking her wine to the double-paned slider that led outside. “I want a closer look.” She unlocked the door and stepped onto the deck. Mia felt the cold rush of air fill the kitchen and followed Sibby, carefully balancing her glass as she wrapped her arms around her chest.

The sound of the ocean crashing against the beach was rhythmic and soothing. In the past month Mia had become so comfortable here with Kyle, and now with the rest of his family here she couldn’t help but wonder if she had her own people out there somewhere. As they stood silently at the railing of the deck, looking up at the sky, Mia’s mind raced with the thoughts of what was to happen when she reclaimed her memory and left this place.Would she be on the run, or would she be able to maintain the relationships she made with Kyle’s family and now treasured? Would she see them again, or would her presence put them in too much danger for her to keep in contact?

She took a large swig of her wine, hoping to dull the painful thought that Kyle and his family were only temporary acquaintances. Aside from feeling like a part of something larger than herself within the warm circle of these generous people, she was in love with Kyle. The painful thoughts about leaving him behind threatened, crowding her mind, blocking out the present moment almost entirely. She looked up at the inky sky studded with stars. The constellations were shimmering, bragging withtheir beauty. She took in a deep breath of the salty air and willed herself to be calm, to enjoy the here and now and not focus on tomorrow. It would be here soon enough; no need to summon trouble to her door.

Kyle addedanother log to the fire and then sat back down on the couch with his brothers and brother-in-law. He drained the remains of the malty brew in his glass and said, “So here’s my plan.”

The other men leaned in attentively.

“If Mia doesn’t remember who she is by Christmas, I’m going to take her and the baby away from here. I’m not sure if I’ll even stay in the country. I’ve got to keep them safe until she truly knows who she is and why she ran.”

“That’s not reasonable, Kyle,” Conor said. “Didn’t you say that you’re being reinstated on December first? You can’t just give up your life for someone you met a month ago.”

“I can do what I want, Conor,” Kyle replied softly.

“True, brother, but what about the rest of us? You’ll just go and then what? Hide for the rest of your life? What happens if she never remembers?” Tim asked.

Kyle paused. He hadn’t thought about that.What happens if she never remembers?His brother’s words bounced around in his brain.What if what she did is so abhorrent to her that she blocks it out forever? Could that be a possibility?

“What would you have me do, Tim? I’m in love with the woman.”

“Listen, fellows. It’s late. We’re not going to solve this dilemma tonight. I vote we sleep on it and reconvene tomorrow,” said Geoff, standing up and gathering the empty glasses.

“Leave those,” Kyle said, motioning for his brother-in-law to leave the mess behind. “I’ve got it. I’ll wash them so that Sibby doesn’t yell at us in the morning.”

Geoff nodded and said, “Night.” He left to upstairs to the room he shared with their sister.

Tim and Conor stood as well. “He’s right. We’re not fixing this problem so easily and I’m beat,” Conor said. “See you in the morning.”

“Me too. I’m sure we’ll see things clearer with a full night’s rest.” Both men hugged Kyle and then went to their room, arguing over who got the top bunk.

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