Page 57 of Margins

Mostly, anyway. His sister has a close eye on him all afternoon, doing her best to insert herself into as many of his conversations as possible, her instinct for a story almost better than Alex’s own. Her presence succeeds in making their relatives fawn over her as much as they’ve already been going on about the other lovely ladies in his life, and Alex assumes that was at least half of Gabriela’s plan, but the twinkle in her eye suggests she isn’t interested in talking about anyone but him. Still, as much as she might be there to make him squirm, he knows she won’t push for more in front of an audience, and it’s his saving grace for at least a couple of hours, until they’ve finished their dinner of turkey, tamales, and mole, and she very literally bumps into him when she lands on the couch next to where he’s been sitting.

There’s music playing as loudly as it always is when their family gathers, but everyone is quiet as they let their food settle, a drink still in nearly every person’s hand, Gabriela taking a slow sip of her own cocktail before she artfully lifts an eyebrow.

“You’ve been checking your phone a lot today,” she says.

“My daughter isn’t here,” Alex shrugs. “You’re surprised I’d want to make sure she’s having fun with her mom today?”

It’s bullshit and they both know it, Alex absolutely texting Cass earlier to wish them both a happy Thanksgiving, but thoroughly distracted by someone else the rest of the time.

“That excuse might work for mom and dad. Maybe even with abuelita if she’s busy enough in the kitchen. But there’s no chance that the smile on your face has anything to do with your daughter. Or your ex-wife, for that matter.”

“Cass and I are getting along really well.”

“Not my point and you know it,” Gabriela chides.

Alex rolls his eyes. “Okay, but I’m smiling, so that’s good, right?”

“Probably extremely good,” his sister agrees. “And I look forward to hearing all about this person whenever you’re ready to spill.”

Her carefully neutral choice of words is hard to miss, and Alex looks away for a minute, wondering just how many people figured out his whole life before he did. And as much as he thinks the fact that everyone else seems to know should make the public confirmation of it less of a disappointment, Alex kind of doubts that will be the case.

“Not sure the rest of the family will be as happy about it.”

It’s her turn to shrug. “Maybe, maybe not, but I think it’s about damn time. Cassidy and Elena know?”

“They do,” he says.

“Then everyone else can go through me. I’m happy as hell for you.”

His phone chirps with a new text and his sister just laughs.

Call me when you can get away for a min

Alex’s quick frown is enough to leave Gabriela quiet.

You okay?

Don’t know. It’s about the books and stuff. About them

He looks at her, holding up the phone. “I’ve gotta—it’ll just be a quick call.”

“Go,” she says. “And if you need to bail before dessert, I’ll cover for you.”

Alex hurries up from the couch and ducks into a bedroom to make the call, and Elijah answers almost immediately, out of breath when his hello follows the sound of a slammed door and a couple of cars whirring past him.

“You didn’t wander into traffic, did you?” Alex asks.

“No, I just—I ran outside to talk to you without an audience.”

“Okay, what’s up? I thought you weren’t gonna bring up anything about Peter and Edgar today?”

“Yeah, and I didn’t,” Elijah says. “My mom did.”

Alex nearly gasps, shaking his head like it’ll help clear up anything. “Wait, like, just right there at the dinner table? ‘Please pass the turkey and also I have something to tell you about your great grandfather and the man who isn’t actually your uncle’?”

“No, Alex. This is—fuck, it’s a lot and I—” Elijah pauses, still catching his breath though he’s been outside for a minute now. “I’ll fill you in on most of it later, but I just had to tell you because I really don’t know if I’m okay right now. I can’t—I didn’t think—”

“Shhhh, okay, Elijah, listen to me,” Alex urges. “You sound like you’re about to hyperventilate. Just take a couple of deep breaths first. I’m not going anywhere.”

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