Page 162 of Choosing You

“Dinner? I’m still kind of full from lunch.” I slip my wet shoes off, knowing Katherine would kill me if I got the floor wet.

“You have to eat. It’s leftover time. Leftover turkey is the best. I’ll make you one of my turkey sandwiches.”

We go in the kitchen. Charles must’ve had the same idea because containers of leftovers are lined up on the kitchen island.

“I’ve got it all ready for you,” Charles says to Garret as if he was expecting this.

“Thanks.” Garret grabs two plates, then gets to work making the sandwiches; white bread, butter, turkey, stuffing, and a drizzle of gravy. “My mom showed me how to make these. My dad never liked them, but my mom and I would each have at least two of these sandwiches on Thanksgiving night.”

Garret never said a word about his mom until that night he told me about the plane crash. Since then, he’s started to mention her more. I can tell it makes him happy to talk about her. I wonder if his dad told him never to mention her again and that’s why he avoided the topic the past nine years. Or maybe he just didn’t think anyone would listen.

Whenever Garret talks about his mom, I can’t help but think how different his life used to be. Living in a normal house in a normal neighborhood. He makes it sound like his dad was a totally different person back then. And that day after the break-in when his dad came to my room, it’s almost like I saw a part of that person. It’s like that part of his dad is still there, but he won’t let it come out.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t notice that Garret had finished making the sandwich and set it in front of me.

“Try it. What are you waiting for?” He’s so anxious it’s cute.

I pick up the sandwich. “It’s all smashed together. Who smashed it like this?”

He gives me an odd look. “Idid. You just saw me do it. That’s the secret. You smash everything together so all the flavors get mixed in under the bread.”

I glance at Charles who looks both amused and disgusted at Garret’s concoction. I take a bite. It tastes much better than it looks.

“So? What do you think?” Garret sits back on a stool next to the kitchen island, crossing his arms over his chest like he’s pleased with himself.

“It’s, um, good,” I say, knowing his competitive nature won’t accept such a lame response.

“Good? That’s it?” He snatches the sandwich from my hands and takes a bite. He closes his eyes. “It’s freaking amazing.” He opens his eyes and hands it back to me. “Come on, Jade. Seriously? Good? That’s the best adjective you’ve got to describe the pure perfection I created there?’

Charles rolls his eyes, which makes me laugh. “Okay. It’s stupendous. It’s beyond amazing. It’s probably the absolute best sandwich I’ve ever tasted.”

He jumps off the stool and kisses my cheek. “That’s better. Sit down. I’ll get you something to drink.”

The three of us sit at the kitchen island eating our sandwiches along with the homemade potato chips. Charles turns on the small TV in the corner and finds a football game to watch. Soon he and Garret are yelling at the TV, scolding the ref over certain calls, as if the guy can somehow hear them. It’s like I’m back home with Frank and Ryan.

Later, Garret finds some cards and we all take a seat at the small table that’s in the kitchen. Garret and Charles teach me how to play poker and we play until midnight.

I realize once again that everything is going far too well. It only reminds me that it won’t last. When we go upstairs, I stop at my room.

“What are you doing?” Garret asks.

“Going to sleep.” I give him a peck on the cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He’s confused, as he should be. We just had this incredible day together and now I’m pushing him away. I’m a complete mess. A total head case. He deserves someone better.

“Are you serious? You don’t want to stay with me?”

“I don’t think I should sleep in your room tonight.”

He gets a mischievous grin on his face. “Who said anything about sleep?”

I punch his arm, kiddingly. “Go to bed, Garret.”

“Okay, but feel free to come down later and visit me.” He’s still giving me that grin.

“I don’t want to wake you up.”

“In case you didn’t get my hint there, I’m pretty much begging you to wake me up.”

---