Page 26 of Snow Blind

Just as he said the words, Stephen entered the space, filling it with sparkles, fairy power, and wearing what could only be considered his Cowboy Carter tribute. Mustang didn't react to the young Asian boy dressed in all white, including chaps and a cowboy hat.

"Aunt Helen!" Stephen squealed. "The green beans still need to destringed! Oscar has peeled away all the potatoes instead of just removing the skin. Mr. Ricky is completely ruining the turkey by putting it on the grill, and a bitch is about to pop a blood vessel."

Helen held up the box. "I have pound cake, peanut butter cookies, and two sweet potato pies," she said, passing the box to Jeffrey.

Stephen was looking at Mustang. He pointed at the muscle-bound man, prompting Helen to say, "This is Jay."

The young man pouted, asking, "Can Uncle Jay man a grill to stop Mr. Ricky from ruining my perfect Thanksgiving?"

"Hey, I can try," Mustang said. "Honestly, I must say I'm impressed you're wearing all white and have no food stains on you. So, whatever you need us to help with, point and we can make it happen."

"Oh God, I think I love him. Jay. Uncle Jay, whatever, please go stop Mr. Ricky," Stephen said.

"I have no idea who Mr. Ricky is, but point me in the direction," Mustang said, smiling at Helen.

A boy, whom Mustang recognized, also appeared, making a beeline for Helen, but stopped when he saw the big man. "I remember you," Oscar said. "I remember you."

"And I remember you. You look good. You feeling, okay?"

"I guess; lots of drama around here," Oscar said. "Pretty noisy. Screeching. Meltdowns. Every. Day."

"Must be rough," Mustang said.

"Dude," Oscar said, emoting with his entire face before looking at Helen. "I heard cookies. Did you say cookies?"

Ricky entered from the newly built deck into the kitchen. Outside, lots of black smoke hovered around the grill. Bad Apple only shook his head. Mustang headed towards the back door, stopped by the deep voice of Ricky.

"Are you him?"

"I am Jay," Mustang said. "The fire seems a bit high; mind if I take a look?"

"Look all you want, but I got it," Ricky replied defensively.

"Awesome," Mustang nodded. "Have you ever heard of the three-smoke method for grilling large game birds?"

"The what?"

"Mind if I show you?"

"Three smoke method?" Ricky said, following Mustang out the back door. Helen turned to Bad Apple, smiling at him.

"He's a menace with anything other than a hammer, but he tries," Bad Apple said, giving a bit of a forced smile. "You look good. Nice ring. Has a date been set yet? We will want to be there."

"Of course," she answered. "Things seem to be going well."

"For the most part," he answered, taking a seat in one of the pink chairs, waiting for her to join him.

They shared a cup of tea, and nothing more was said. Mustang appeared in the kitchen asking Stephen for spices, seasonings, and vinegar water for the grill. Stephen, in return, passed Mustang a beer to go along with everything else he asked for, plus a tapas plate of finger foods. Helen joined him in the kitchen to finish preparing the holiday meal.

She fussed and fawned over the dining room table and the setting. Helen marveled over the souffle when it came out of the oven, she held nothing back praising Stephen's mac and cheese with the crunchy topping. Jeffrey went on about the Thanksgiving decorations and Stephen calmed down, bringing it all together.

Mustang became the conquering hero, entering the back door with the turkey spatchcocked on a platter, flattened and grilled to perfection. Helen found herself pleasantly surprised when the white van rolled up as Pear arrived, bringing drinks.

"Pear, this is Mustang," Helen said, making the brief introduction.

"I see you Cranberry, okay now," she replied, nodding at Mustang, who said nothing. "And he's wearing a ring. Go ahead, Sis!"

Helen looked at Mustang, who was back pretending as if he were crying and fanning his eyes to stop the tears. Bad Apple saw it and found himself laughing. Ricky wasn't amused.

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