Page 64 of Breaking Free

J.R. sets the table with plates, utensils, and glasses; and then together, we move the food to the table. J.R. really outdid himself. There's turkey, dressing, macaroni and cheese, rolls, and more. Of course, I helped a little, but he did most of it. I’m impressed, and I’m not even sure how he was able to pull off having a full turkey cooked and ready in so few hours. I think A.J.’s had something to do with it, but I won’t be suspicious. He promised he would take care of the food. He didn’t say how he would take care of it, and really, does it even matter?

J.R. and I stand at the head of the table, looking at the feast before us. I lean into him a little and smile. “Out of all our years together, this is our first legit Thanksgiving.”

“It is, isn’t?” he kisses the top of my head.

“You did a good job, J.R.”

“Well, don’t speak too soon. No one has eaten it yet.”

“I’m sure it’s perfect.”

J.R. turns to face me. “Mom was right, you know. My girls are beautiful.”

I smirk and blush a little, too. “I don’t deserve you.”

He kisses me. “I’m going to go find our guests. I’m starving.”

J.R. disappears out the back door, and I turn back to the table to make sure we haven’t forgotten anything in the table setting.

Our dinner is quiet at first. The only sounds to be heard are of chewing and the sipping of wine. Every now and then, there’s a compliment to J.R. about how good the meal is, and it is delicious. Still, the silence is deafening, and I don’t particularly enjoy the sound of people eating. I’m hoping someone decides to speak soon.

“How did you two meet?” Ellie asks, finally breaking the silence. She takes a sip of wine, and her blue eyes dart between J.R. and me.

I take a sip of water, and then I glance at J.R. He’s in the middle of chewing his food, so I begin the story.

“It was eleven years ago. He was playing a show in South Carolina.”

J.R. speaks up now. “And I saw the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life walk into the venue.”

I decide that I’ll let him tell the rest of the story because it dawns on me that I’ve never heard it from his perspective. I’m interested to hear it.

J.R. is smiling as he looks at me. “I just had to talk to her. She was so out of place. Not like the rest of the girls there.” J.R.’s fork dangles from his fingers. “I think—Iknow—I loved her the moment I laid eyes on her. I’ve never loved anyone else since then.”

“That’s a sweet story,” Ellie says. “Love sort of happens like that. Out of the blue.”

“What happened to cause you two to split?” Roger asks bluntly.

I nearly choke on my turkey, and J.R. shifts in his seat uncomfortably. “Not in front of the kid, Dad.”

Knox suddenly speaks up. “It’s complicated.”

Now, I choke on my water, quickly covering my mouth to prevent any from running out.

J.R. makes a nervous laugh.

Ellie smiles. “Well, I’m sad that we missed this. Your family. You.” She’s looking at J.R. now with the kind of gentle eyes that a mother often uses to look at her child. I’ve never personally experienced this look before, but I think it’s meant to evoke feelings of approval and love.

J.R. nods. “Me, too.”

“What about you, Rachel? Where are your parents?” Roger asks.

I’ve decided I don’t like his questions. They come out of his mouth sort of rough around the edges. They’re also random. I literally have no idea what he’s going to ask next, and that makes me uncomfortable.

I stare blankly for a moment, though, realizing that no one has asked me this question in a really long time—not even Knox, and she usually has all of the questions. I look down at my plate, and I push a macaroni noodle around with my fork. I feel their eyes on me.

Finally, I look up at them. “My dad died when I was a kid, and my mother… She passed away about eleven years ago.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Roger says, and I think he’s truly sympathetic.

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