Page 36 of One Little Chance
“You’re here. You look cute in this little french fry getup.” Jenna’s smile was devoid of warmth. “Let’s get moving,” she said to Sarah, and the night went on. The kids tumbled down the front porch steps racing out to trick or treat.
I was sure Jordan had forgotten about that conversation, maybe even Jenna and Sarah had forgotten, but it stayed with me.
One night, Jenna’s questioning cocked head returned. In early November, we were at the family dinner table, everyone chattering about Thanksgiving plans, when Pat turnedto me. “Well, Sophie, you’re coming to the Turkey Trot with us, right?”
The Silks spent every crisp Thanksgiving morning at the Sweet River Turkey Trot. Everyone showing up in Downtown Sweet River bleary-eyed with sneakers on at 8 a.m. on the dot. A man in a giant turkey costume waited to high-five each of us as we crossed the finish line.
I hadn’t been in years. Another tradition I was excited to get back.
“Oh, well, yeah!” In my mind, it was a no-brainer. But, after I answered, I felt the awkwardness tighten across the room.
“Definitely.” Jordan squeezed my hand.
“You know, I was talking to Jordan the other day about Thanksgiving. Your mom and Orlando are welcome to come with you for dinner.” Pat stabbed a bite of broccoli.
“I’ll invite Mom and Orlando. I’m not sure if they already have other plans.” My eyes shot over to Sarah and Jenna.
They exchanged a loaded glance with each other.
I swallowed air. “Can I bring anything?”
“I usually have the kids bring desserts or sides?” Pat still referred to Jordan and his siblings as “the kids,” even though a couple of them had kids now.
“I’ll bring an apple pie.” My mom had the best recipe.
“A pie sounds perfect,” Pat beamed. I wished someone would crack a joke or say they were excited to have me there. Sarah moved food around her plate. The jingle of ice in a glass.
“Never enough pie,” Jordan said, stabbing a bite of meatloaf.
“I didn’t realize it was already planned that Sophie was coming,” Jenna said hesitantly like she wasn’t sure she should be saying the words as they left her mouth.
“Of course she is,” Jordan said as if the question was laughable. I felt the anxious sweating return, grabbing at my thick sweater.
Pat’s brows puckered. “You’re surprised?”
“Yeah, it’s afamilything.” Jenna’s voice was layered with innuendo.
“Soph is basically family,” Westley, Jenna’s husband, piped up, waving a fork toward me.
“Are we really doing this?” Cody whispered under his breath.
I stared at my hands in my lap.
“I didn’t know new relationships were invited to all the family things now.” Sarah crossed her arms and leaned against her chair.
My heart hammered against my chest. I was racking my brain for the exact right thing to say at this moment, but it was agonizingly empty.
“New relationships?” Jordan spat out. “Come on.”
“Sophie has peed in our pool,” Pat said through laughter. “This is the farthest thing from a new relationship.”
Sarah sharply inhaled, avoiding my gaze as I glanced across the table.
“I…don’t want to intrude?” I said, but I did want to intrude. I chose Jordan and that included his holidays and his family.
“You’re not intruding!” Pat leaned in toward the table as she looked at me. “Come and bring your folks.”
Why don’t you want me there?The question was pounding in my ears. I wanted to ask Sarah and Jenna right then and there. But the conversation steamrolled on, and before I knew it, I was driving back home and dreading Thanksgiving.
