Page 147 of Forever

He was so weird about pictures.

Kennedy shrugged. “Matt, I’ve been trying to get one of you and Brooklyn together, but Rob keeps making me take pictures with him in them. Do you think maybe you could grab Brooklyn and pose in front of the tree?”

Seriously, what was Rob’s deal right now? “Yeah, I’ll go get her…” but my sentence was cut off when Nigel ran into the room.

“It’s time, it’s time!” Nigel declared. He lifted up an old-fashioned horn that looked like it was made from an actual animal horn. He blew it and the sound echoed around the room. Two waiters carried a huge platter overflowing with a strange variety of foods out of the kitchen. Followed by two more waiters with another huge platter. Followed by another set of waiters. They started placing the platters between the cornucopias and white pumpkins on the dining room table.

This was way too much food. And way too much seafood for Thanksgiving. But I was definitely curious about Nigel’s world famous biscuits.

Nigel hooked his arm through Kennedy’s and pulled her into the dining room with him. She started taking pictures of the tablescape.

I looked around for Brooklyn but she was already being escorted to the table by Rob.Seriously, what the hell, Rob?I started walking toward the dining room.

“Are you nervous for tomorrow?” my mom asked as she walked up beside me.

“Not even a little.”

She smiled and grabbed my arm to stop me from entering the dining room. “You’ve always known exactly what you wanted. And gone for it. Your father and I couldn’t be more proud of you, Matthew.” She leaned forward and kissed my cheek. “And Brooklyn is absolutely glowing.”

She was definitely right about that. I watched as Rob pulled out Brooklyn’s chair for her and then sat down right next to her.

“Nana, Nana!” Jacob came running up to my mom.

I don’t think I’d ever seen my mom smile that big before. I hadn’t even realized she’d asked Jacob to call her that.

“Yes, my little prince?” she asked and crouched down in her expensive dress.

“Can I sit between you and my abuela?”

“Of course you can. Come with me.” She put her hand out.

Jacob grabbed it. My mom gave me one last smile and then led Jacob over to where Mrs. Alcaraz was already seated.

“It’s been 16 years since you showed up for Thanksgiving,” Mason said as he stepped up next to me. “This is one hell of a way to bring the tradition back.”

I smiled. “You know I’m fond of a grand gesture.”

Mason laughed and slapped my back. “Please tell me you’re not about to break out into song?”

“Definitely not.”

“Are you excited for mom and dad’s speech?”

“I didn’t realize they were giving one.” Mom had just given me a mini-speech already. Maybe she was testing out my reaction.

“Mhm,” Mason said. “So Brooklyn’s dad’s a no-show, huh? Maybe he’ll do that thing that James’ parents did at James and Penny’s rehearsal dinner. Just show up halfway very awkwardly.”

“Honestly, I hope he does. Brooklyn really wants him here.”

“Really?” Mason shrugged. “She has a bigger heart than the rest of us.”

I nodded. Mason had been with me the day I’d been told that Brooklyn had passed away. He’d seen how little her father had seemed to care. It was hard to shake off that memory. It was hard to move forward. I looked down at the velvet box in my hand. But we were moving forward. I put the box in my pocket. “I’ll be right back,” I said.

“What? Dinner is about to start…”

I hurried out of the room and went down the hall to what had been my bedroom while I was living here. I closed the door behind me. All my stuff was still here because Nigel refused to help me move out. I sat down on the edge of my bed, pulled out my phone, and hit Mr. Pruitt’s number.

I knew that Mr. Pruitt was out of cell phone reception or something. But if there was a small chance that he couldget reception…I wanted him to hear from me too. The call went straight to voicemail.

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