Page 18 of A Very Grumpy Thanksgiving

“How’s the weather?” I ask.

“All clear! It’s sunny and gorgeous out this morning,” my mom says. “Well, besides the fact that it’s about three degrees out.”

Saffron laughs, and I smile as I move closer to her.

“Are you ready to head out?” I ask her, and my mom frowns.

“No way! You have to stay for breakfast.”

I look at Saffron, and she nods.

“Alright. Let’s eat,” I relent.

As we sit down and start to eat, people are still waking up. Saffron and I both dig in, and we eat quickly. Samantha is talking Saffron’s ears off, and I smile as I listen in on their conversation.

Once we finish eating, I clear our plates and go back to Saffron’s side.

“Ready?” I ask her, and she nods.

I can tell that she’s getting overstimulated from being around so many people. Saffron is like me and needs to recharge their social battery often.

“We’re going to head out,” I tell my mom and dad, and my mom pouts but nods.

“Thanks again for having me,” Saffron says, stepping forward to hug my mom and then my dad goodbye.

“You’re welcome anytime,” my mom tells her, and my dad nods in agreement. “Oh! You have to come back for Christmas!”

“Yeah!” Samantha cheers, and Saffron smiles.

I can see the moment that she remembers our deal and that we won’t be fake together by then. Her smile dims, and I swallow hard. My heart sinks because I want to spend every holiday with her and I’m not sure that’s possible. Why did I make the deal for just one holiday? I should have said until the house was fixed and then dragged the projects out for years, until she was in love with me.

“Maybe,” she says, and I nod.

“I’ll talk to you guys later,” I say as I step forward and hug my parents goodbye.

We make the rounds, saying goodbye to everyone, and then I help Saffron into her coat, and we head out to my truck. I help Saffron into the passenger seat and scrape off the windows while the truck heats up. Then we’re hitting the road.

She’s quiet as I maneuver us down the snowy streets.

“Everyone liked you,” I say, trying to break the silence.

“Yeah, your family is great. The kids were so cute,” she says, and I smile.

“Yeah, Samantha seemed to especially love you.”

“She was so sweet.”

“I’m glad that you had a good time.”

“Me too,” she says softly.

We drive in silence for a few minutes, and then she clears her throat.

“What excuse will you give them for Christmas?” she asks, and my stomach sinks.

“I… I don’t know. I guess that you had plans with your family. It’s the truth.”

She nods, and we ride in silence for the rest of the way home. I was going to try to broach the subject of us together for real, but after her comment, I don’t think that’s a good idea.

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