Page 51 of Fractured

“Nah. If I take some breaks, I’ll be okay. I took some Tylenol. We’ll just get Gav to help clean up. It’ll all work out.”

“Okay. Just don’t overdo it. I’m going to get the rest from the car.”

Two hours later and the kitchen is surprisingly busy for just the two of us. I frequently feel there are three of us in this room and today’s no exception. I’m sure my mother is here. This was her holiday. Sure, Christmas was special, but my mom could really cook. Plus, she was always full of gratitude. Every day of the year, but especially Thanksgiving. We’d watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade while she began preparing the big meal. She’d occasionally pop in to see if she recognized anyone on tv and provide samples for us to taste. I tear up a little, remembering all of the little things I’d previously taken for granted.

“You okay, Nick?” My dad is always alert to my emotions. Wiping a tear away, I point the knife toward the chopping board, conveniently blaming it on the onions. Dad isn’t buying it and laughs. “I know. I miss her too.”

“It’s terrible, Dad. How much you realize you had but didn’t appreciate until it’s gone. I wish I’d told her more… how much I loved all of the little things.”

“She knows, Nick. I feel her here with me all the time. If I didn’t think I’d see Lydie again, I’d crumble. But I know she’s proud of you. For the man you’ve become and what you’re doing with Gavin.”

“I don’t know, Dad. I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but I feel like I’ve wised up in the last few months. I get what’s really important.” Hesitating a moment, I decide to put it all out there. “I do want it all.”

“Nick, does this mean what I think it means?” he asks with hopeful exuberance.

“Dad. I laid it all out there with her. If it’s supposed to happen, it will. I’m going to keep trying. I can’t make something happen that isn’t meant to be. But she has a lot on her plate right now. So, the ball is in her court. But I’m still hopeful.”

“I’m really proud of you, son. I know that wasn’t easy for you. But you mark my words. Nothing fantastic ever came easy. Ha, look at you. We’d all but given up on having you.”

“I know.” I smile back at him. “Not to change the subject, but how’s your lady friend doing?”

“I actually haven’t seen her in a while. She usually only comes one Wednesday a month, but with Thanksgiving, that got turned around. Maybe next month.”

“You sure there’s…”

“No, Nick. Now open the oven for your dad so I can try to find room for the stuffing.”

* * *

Arriving at Gavin’s apartment, I notice I’m a few minutes early. I wonder how the day will go with his mother along. I’ve only had a few brief interactions with her. As I park the car, I reach for my phone and send him a quick text letting him know I’m waiting for them.

11:59 a.m.

Gavin

Gavin: We’ll be right down.

Reading this text puts a smile on my face. Not sure why, but knowing he has a phone he can use makes me proud. I’m glad I could make him feel more like a typical teenager. At least in this regard. I look up to see the two are approaching, and I open my door to greet them. Gavin’s mom is wearing skin-tight jeans and a silk blouse with a very vibrant print. She’s adorned in several gold necklaces, bangles, and has multiple rings on each hand. I notice her blonde hair is pinned up with several clips.

“Hey, guys, good to see you. Happy Thanksgiving.”

“Same to you, Nick. I made a cherry pie. Gavin’s never cared for pumpkin,” Gavin’s mother says, smiling at her son.

“Well, that sounds great. Let me take that and put it in the back. Gavin, open the door for your mom,” I encourage.

“Good grief.” I hear him mutter as he reluctantly opens the front passenger door.

As we pull out of the apartment complex, I look in the rearview mirror and notice Gavin’s deep into his phone. I decide to give him a break, as he is late to that party. I attempt to make small talk on the drive.

“So, thanks for joining my dad and me this year. It’s usually a pretty quiet holiday for us. He loves to cook, so he’ll probably have enough food for ten of us. I should’ve told you to bring some Tupperware to take the leftovers home.” I notice this gets Gavin to look up briefly.

“Well, it’s nice of you to include us. We’ve never made a big deal of the holiday since it’s just the two of us. I try to make something a little nicer for dinner, but I don’t have any family nearby. Sometimes I go to the bar to work in the evening. With football on, it tends to be a busier night with great tips. I think people are more generous knowing you’re working on a holiday.” I look over at her while she’s speaking and notice she’s quite attractive. Her light blue eyes seem young, but her skin and hair bear the brunt of a hard life. I’d never ask, but looking at her here, she appears to be my age or a little older. From a distance and prior quick introductions, she seemed much older.

We travel the distance to my father’s, making casual conversation. I learn she never attended college. She was never married. She had a few boyfriends along the way, but ‘no one who wanted to take on a wild little boy,’ as she put it. I try to peer back at Gavin on occasion as she speaks to see if anything she says affects him, but thankfully, he seems engrossed in his phone. It’s apparent Gavin’s mom and I have very little in common except Gavin. She does seem to care a great deal for him. I’m sure she’s doing the best she can.

As we pull into my dad’s driveway, I ask Gavin to grab the pie and I watch as his mother steps out of the car with her mouth hanging open.

“Wow. Is this where you grew up?”

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