Page 78 of Claiming What Is Mine

“Welcome, dear. Thank you for your dessert, but you really didn’t need to do that” Mom says as she sets down the knife and wipes her hands with a towel. “Your timing couldn’t be better. Dinner's just about ready.” Mom walks over to Meredith and helps herself to feeling her belly. “You barely show at all. Are you in your sixth month already?” Meredith bobs her head and does her best to smile while my mother completely invades her personal space. “Let’s see now, do we know who’s coming today? I guess we’ll need to set up the card table, if everyone’s going to have a place to sit.”

I feel awful for being the one to break the news. The woman loves to cook for her family on a typical Wednesday. But this? This is Thanksgiving, and I’m certain she’s been looking forward to it for months. No doubt, completely ignoring the possibility that some of us might not want anything to do with her asshole, youngest son. “I think we’ll be okay Mom. It’s just us tonight, plus Jack.”

Mom looks up from Meredith’s belly, disheartened by the news. “Oh no. Are you sure?”

I nod. “Sorry to say.”

About that time, Logan begins laughing hysterically in the living room, causing everyone to walk over to see what is going on. No surprise, Hank is being an idiot and making him laugh. Mom turns back to Christy and smiles. “Well, I’ll follow up with the other boys later and find out what was so important. At least we’ll have enough room for everyone. We can set up the baby seat at the end of the table, in John’s old spot.” She turns to Meredith. “And you can sit in Frank’s seat, next to Gabe like you have been. Is that alright with everyone?”

The front door closes, and I hear Jack’s voice in the living room. Mom smiles. “Why don’t you call the boys to eat while we get the food on the table?”

“Sure thing.” I turn my head towards the living room and yell. “Food’s on!” When I turn back to the kitchen, all three women are giving me the stink eye. “What? I called them to eat. Sheesh, tough crowd,” I say as I walk to the table and pull Meredith’s chair out for her.

Jack enters the kitchen and wraps Mom in a tight hug. “Happy Thanksgiving. Dinner smells delicious.”

Chet walks in holding Logan in one arm and a portable high chair in the other. Hank brushes past and takes a seat at the far end of the table, next to our mother. “Yes ma’am, it does smell delicious. But please tell me there’s more than just turkey?”

“Well…” Mom looks over the dishes covering the counter. “There’s also a baked ham with brown sugar & mustard glaze, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, my special macaroni and cheese, corn, stuffing…” she looks to Christy. “Am I forgetting anything?”

“Sourdough rolls,” Christy whispers.

Mom shakes her head. “Right. The sourdough rolls.”

Hank rubs his belly. “Mmm-mmm. The other boys don’t know what they’re missing tonight. I bet it’ll be a while before you’re ready for Leo to come back here anyway, huh Chet?”

My eyes flit to Chet and I see contempt simmering below the surface. Then I look over to Christy who’s standing by the sink. The tight line of her lips says she’s not done being angry either, like her husband. But there’s a sadness in her eyes as she looks to Mom, who seems heartbroken by the statement.

Silence blankets the table and my eyes settle on Hank as I attempt to burn a hole through him. When he doesn’t notice, Jack kicks his leg under the table, causing him to wince. “What?” he says, shrugging his shoulders. “I’m just saying—you three are obviously not team Leo.”

Chet groans and smacks his hand against the large table. “Why don’t we let Mom say grace, so we can enjoy this feast she’s worked so hard to prepare?”

We all nod. Christy sets the rolls on the table and takes her seat next to Chet.

“See, that’s where Leo would sit if he was here. That’s why I mentioned it. How awkward would this be right now?” Hank half mumbles, prompting Mom to squeeze his hand to shut him up.

With napkins in our laps, we bow our heads as Mom prays. When she’s finished, everyone picks up a dish, spoons some onto their plate, and passes it to the next person. Trying to lighten the mood, Meredith looks to Hank. “So, did you ever follow up with Mollie?”

Hank plops a large portion of mashed potatoes onto his plate and looks up. “Huh?”

“Mollie. Remember, right after the wedding? I’m sure Gabe told you about her.”

Hank shakes his head and levels his eyes at me. “What’s she talking about?”

Meredith turns to me, looking for back up. “Gabe?”

Shit. “Uh, that may have slipped my mind.”

“What slipped your mind? What happened?” Hank asks before pushing a forkful of green beans into his mouth.

“Nothing really.” I shift in my chair. “It was a silly thing. Right after the wedding Meredith and I had lunch at Belle’s and the girl who works there, Mollie…”

Hank nods. “Yeah. I know who you’re talking about.”

“Well, she may have mentioned that we should tell you to give her a call some time.”

“What?” Hank smacks his hand on the table. “And it slipped your mind?” he yells. “For six months?”

“Honestly, I didn’t think much about it. She doesn’t really seem like your type, anyway.”

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