Page 65 of Pour Decisions
“My mom invited me to have dinner with her, her boyfriend, and his kids.” She pulls some lint off her sweater. “But I’m not sure about that either since she’s been acting a little weird. .But I would like to spend time with you and we have to face your father at some point. We’re in this for the long run.”
I lace my fingers in hers, and Bubba rests his head on our joined hands.
“Would you like me to come with you to your mom’s? To make it easier?” I ask.
“I’m not sure what she’d say to that, to be honest.” She sighs and looks at me. “I need to ask her since she’ll have to plan the food. But maybe we could do both? Get the awkward over with in one go?”
“That sounds like a plan.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
KATRINA
I holdoff on texting my mom until I have time to think about how to ask her about Thanksgiving. Having JD with me wouldhelp me get through it, but she doesn’t seem to like him. His dad is a wildcard. He never met me personally, but I represent his son falling out of line.
Thanksgiving will just be a matter of getting through the day this year.
I quickly type out a text to my mom Tuesday as I leave work, thanking her for the invite and asking if JD and I can just swing by for dessert. Her response bubbles pop up right away, but I don’t get the ding for her response until I’m back home.
Mom: I’m disappointed, Katrina. I wanted our first holiday this year to be something special with US, not this man who honestly? I don’t think he should be back in your life right now. If you can’t come alone, unfortunately, we can’t host you this year.
“What the fuck?” I blurt. I was expecting pushback, but not a full-on rejection. JD raises an eyebrow in question and I hand him the phone.
He reads the text, his frown getting deeper and deeper.
“Yeah, what the fuck?” He hands me the phone back.
My heart sinks, but to a familiar place. Why was I expecting Mom to be all that different? To be predictable and rational? JD isn’t some passing boyfriend who I’ll dump in a month or two. Even if she thinks we’re cruising for a breakup, couldn’t she at least meet him in person and judge for herself?
There’s only so much someone can change, I guess.
“Here, come help me with the pies,” JD says, his tone gentle. He rests a hand on my lower back “We’ll have a good time with my family.”
I can’t help but laugh, but it sounds deflated. “Okay.”
“I’ll make it good. Somehow.” He sighs and guides me toward the kitchen. “At least the pies will be delicious."
“Is this outfit fine?”I call out down the hallway the morning of Thanksgiving.
“Yes,” JD says back.
“You didn’t even look!” I step into the doorway of the kitchen, Bubba behind me. I chose a green, form-fitting sweater, jeans, and those earrings JD likes.
He looks me up and down, warmth and approval in his eyes.
“You look perfect. And also, no one will care that much.” He puts his hand out and I put mine in his, letting him pull me in for a kiss. “Don’t be nervous.”
“My nerves. You’ve cured them.” I tuck myself against him.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound dismissive.” He tilts my head back so he can look at me. “I just meant that my family is mostly chill, my dad aside. My brothers and their partners are nice. Even Ash can be mostly tolerable to people who aren’t me.”
I snort. “Such warm words.”
“Just being honest.” He shrugs and puts the pies he finished last night into bags. “But I’m going to make sure you have a good time.”
“What about your father? Should we face him head on?”
JD sighs through his nose and leans his hip against the counter. “I don’t think so. It might be easier to let him realize who you are. If he does.”
