Текст книги "Love Me Back"

Автор книги: Michelle Lynn

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Текущая страница: 8 (всего у книги 21 страниц)

Chapter 12 – Present Day

I am woken by a big hump on my bed.  The light shining through my windows signaling its morning.

“Where were we last night?”  Ian grins at me bouncing up and down on my bed.

“Out” I say.

“With whom?”  He questions finally sitting still at the end of my bed.

“You don’t want to know.  What time is it?”  I sit up resting against my ivory headboard rubbing my eyes.

“Eight.  Gabe will be here at 9 so you thought you would want to get all dolled up.”  He winks his eye.  “So do you want me to guess?”

“Guess what?”  It’s way too early in the morning for this.

“Who you were with?”  He throws his legs on to my bed making himself comfortable.

“Ian, can we please do this another time?’  I throw the covers off me moving over to my suitcase.

“Let’s see.”  He puts his finger up to his lips contemplating.  “Were you with the young strapping soccer star who you have been in love with since birth or his hotter older brother who has been making your stomach full of butterflies since we landed?”

“Cut it out Ian.”  I throw a pair of socks at him.  “If you must know it was the soccer star.”

“That’s what I thought since Gabe stopped by here last night for you.”  His eyebrows raise when I turn around.

“What?  When?”  I question.  A sudden feeling of guilt comes over me.  I don’t know why I care that Gabe knows I was with Trent.

“Why do you care?”  Ian laughingly smiles.

“I don’t.  I just…wondered.”  I try to push it off.

“Keep telling yourself that Maddy.  You better figure out what you want before you lose them both.”

“Who’s to say I want either of them?”

“Come on Maddy.  I know which one you want but I am more than happy to sit back and see how this plays out.  I just hope the brothers don’t kill each other before it’s over.”

“God Ian, drama much?”  I grab my clothes heading down the hall to the bathroom.

Forty-five minutes later I walk down the stairs to the newly remodeled kitchen and I am stunned to see my mom sitting down with Ian at the table.  She is dressed in a pair of jean capris with a pink button down blouse that for once isn’t two sizes too small.  Her hair is nicely brushed in a bob and her make-up is neutral with a small amount of lip gloss.  Her recent transformation brings out her natural beauty.

“Good morning Maddy.”  My mom says.

“Good morning mom, sorry about last night.”  I walk over to the coffee pot pouring a cup.

“It’s ok, Ian kept me busy and then Gabe came over and we played cards.”  She snickers over at Ian and they laugh at some inside joke I assume.

“Sorry I missed it, sounds like you three had a great time.”  I roll my eyes with my back still turned towards the cabinets.

“We understand you had other things or shall we say people to do.”  Ian sneers.

“Seriously Ian, you are driving me crazy and it’s only nine in the morning.”  I turn around leaning against the counter.

“Honey, I know I can’t speak but do you really want to go there again?”  My mom stands up putting her hand on my shoulder.

“Who said I was going there again?  It’s complicated.”  I whine.  My shoulder feels warmth with my mom’s hand there.  She never shows me love not to mention care who I go out with.

“It’s always complicated with HIM” Ian speaks.

“Do I dare ask who you are talking about?”  Gabe stands in the doorway.

“Please come in.”  I sarcastically say walking over to the table.  “Listen time keeper, I am sitting down for five minutes drinking my coffee before I leave so make yourself comfortable.”  I motion to the chair across from me.

“Maddy, he’s a guest be nice.”  My mom comes back with a cup for Gabe.  He takes it walking to the seat I pointed to him.

“He just walked into our house without knocking, I don’t think we can consider him a guest.”  I speak back.

“Maddy…” my mom starts.  I don’t know where her mothering skills trying to make be polite came from because I have never seen them before today.

“It’s ok Barb.  I am used to Maddy’s charm.”  Gabe sits next to me laughing.

“Charm?  Maybe you two are… Ouch.”  Ian grabs his shin staring me down.

I narrow my eyes towards him silently telling him to shut up.

“Mom, why aren’t you at work?”  I try to divert the subject.

“I’m am off until next Monday.  I wanted to spend some time with you and help Lindsey and Jack with the wedding.  I hope that’s ok?”  She asks.

“Sure.”  I shrug my shoulders and Gabe gives me a look insinuating to play nice with my mom.  I pull my head back scrunching my eyebrows letting him know it isn’t his business.

I walk over to the sink dumping the remaining drops of my coffee in the sink placing my cup in the new stainless steel dishwasher.  Already dreading the day ahead of me, Ian is being nosy, Gabe is confusing and now I have to add my new mom into the mix.

Everyone else follows suit but my mom takes Gabe’s cup for him.  It makes me curious what exactly is going on between the two of them.

I shove my feet into my flip flops and the four of us file out of the house.  The heat and humidity is already there when we open the door making me thankful I wore the tank top and shorts today.

Gabe and my mom are walking side by side to the blue monster.  He must have said something funny because my mom touches his bicep laughing.  A twinge of jealousy hits me but I quickly shake it off.  Which is hard when my eyes keep glancing down at Gabe’s backside.  His shorts hang off his perfect roundness making me wonder what it would be like to grab onto it while he was thrusting into me.

“You might want to wipe the saliva off your chin.”  Ian whispers in my ear.

I push him and he stumbles into the bushes.  “Whoops, sorry!”  I put my hand in front of my mouth like a southern belle.  Gabe and my mom turn around dumbfounded to what is going on.  “Ian tripped over his own feet.”  I say straight-faced.

“Yeah, you know clumsy me.”  He gives me a small push after Gabe and my mom turn around and I bust out laughing.

“Please Barb, I am sure Maddy is fine sitting in the back.”  Gabe looks over at me.

“Go ahead Mom sit up front.”  I watch while Gabe opens the door for my mom shutting it behind her as I wait there Gabe walks in front of the truck getting into the drivers side.  I stand there in disbelief for a few minutes and then open my own door succumbing to my seat next to Ian in the back.

My mom and Gabe chat nonstop on the way to Great Adventures while Ian keeps face booking on his phone.  Kenna keeps texting me things like “I don’t trust him”, “Trent’s an ass”, “Stay away from him”.  I don’t know how she found out I was with him last night but I am almost positive it had to do with Mr. Nosy next to me.  I’m still not sure why Mackenna has such a problem with Trent, he is her friend too.

Finally we arrive at the park and there is a line of cars to pay for their parking and then following the men with orange flags to our parking spot.  Gabe pays for some special pass to get us closer and my mom tries to pay him money but he shoos her hand away.

Once we get into the park after Gabe insists on paying for all of us we sit around the water fountain waiting for everyone else.  Those annoying picture people come up to us to take a picture so we all pose.  Gabe stands next to my mom and Ian next to me.  I know Ian put bunny ears over my head but I don’t care at this point.  I just want this day over with.

Everyone else gradually comes and we all head out.  Jack and Lindsey have an itinerary for us.  Where to meet for lunch and all the other controlling things they want the rest of us to do.  I take the itinerary out of Lindsey’s hands perusing it.  We have specific times and places to meet during the day.  I swear this couple thinks everyone else’s life should revolve around their wedding.

Caroline is cozying up to Gabe already and the look of disapproval crosses my mom’s face.  Shawn Edwards is walking towards me and I decide that is my time to get out.

“Come on Ian.”  I grab his hand.  “See you all at first break.”  I wave my hand while walking away.

“What is wrong with you?”  Ian says hooking his arm with mine.

“Nothing.”  I respond curtly.

“Great this is going to be a fun day.”  Ian mumbles to himself.

“Don’t worry Ian, she needs a cotton candy and then she will cheer up.”  My mom says along side of me.  “It has always cheered her up.”  She smiles over to me.

“Cotton Candy.  I will have to remember that.  Blue or Pink?”  Gabe chimes in next to Ian and my mom’s face beams up to him.

“Blue, even though she is all girly girl she always loved Blue.”  My mom answers his question.  I wonder how she remembers that.

“Shouldn’t you be back there, with the rest of Belcrest’s prom court?”  I ask Gabe looking behind us.  I see the scoff on Caroline’s face watching us walk away.

“I am right where I want to be.”  Gabe winks at my mom and she smiles.  Seriously, what the hell is going on between them?

“Let’s go, I am dying to get on Superman.  I have never been here.”  Ian exclaims like a nine year old.

“Never?”  Gabe asks.

“My parents preferred educational vacations.  If you ever want to go to Wilmington, VA I could be your tour guide.”  Ian remarks and we all crack up.

“Well, I’m going to be your tour guide today.  After we are done you will wish you were in Wilmington.”  Gabe jokes.

“Sounds good.  Now point me to the roller coasters.”  He looks around waiting for Gabe to tell him where to go.

“Superman this way.”  Gabe points to the left.

“You two have fun, I am going on the carousel.”  I stop in front of the two-story carousel filled with little kids riding their horses and animals as they go up and down.  It is a feat for me to ride on the top floor.

“What?”  Ian screams.  “We aren’t five, let’s go.”  He pulls my hand.

“I don’t ride roller coasters.” I look him in the eye with seriousness.  I know he is going to push me.  Everyone does but there is only one person that ever got me to ride and he isn’t here.

“Oh come on.”  Ian begs.

“No” my answer short while I plant my feet on the ground.

“I will hold your hand the whole time.”  He says.

“Ian, just go I will catch up to you guys.”

“We aren’t leaving you alone Maddy.”  Gabe says.  “I will stay, you two go ahead.”  A warm feeling spreads across my stomach.

“Nonsense, you two go.  I would love some alone time with my daughter.”  My mom says putting her arm around me.

Gabe winks his eye at my mom and if I were counting that would have been at least the fifth time today.  “Alright then, catch up with us down there ok?”  He says.

“We will, just have fun.”  My mom says.

If I didn’t already know I would believe I was in another life.  My mom wants to spend time with me on purpose.  I smile spreads across my lips.  I guess what people say is right, no matter what you always want to have a relationship with your mother.

My mom and I go up the stairs to the top floor of the carousel.  Since we are here early there isn’t much of a line so we get our pick of animals.  My mom lets me pick first and takes the one next to me.  I can’t help but ask her the questions that have been eating me up the last few days.

“So Mom, you look really good.  Is there a reason for the change?”  I ask gripping the pole in front of me.

“I don’t know, it was time I guess.”  She smiles looking down.  I could tell she is hiding something from me but can’t tell what it is and I pray like hell it isn’t a man for the change.

“I love it mom, you look beautiful.”  I say and when she looks over I don’t think I have ever seen her this happy.

The ride starts and mom and I go up and down with the music.  Little kids are screaming in delight and I can’t help but smile.  This is the last place I remember being when my parents were together.  I can practically feel my dad next to me laughing while standing next to me.  His hands on my back and the way he would kiss my temple before pulling me down after it was over.

My mom is laughing at the kid in front of us because he keeps trying to get off and his dad keeps putting him back.  “You were like that.”  She motions her hand in front of her.  “I always lacked the patience but your dad would go over and over with you until you felt comfortable.”

“I remember.”  My smile dim compared to hers.  She instantly sees the sorrow in mine.

“I know honey.”  She reaches over and pats my knee.  “This week is hard.”

I shake my head in agreement afraid I would lose it right here on the carousel.

When the rides stops my mom puts her arm around me on our way to the stairs.  “Let’s go get that blue cotton candy.”

We start walking around the park sharing a blue cotton candy.  “Thanks mom.”

“For what?”  She asks taking a piece off putting it in her mouth.

“For knowing just what I needed.”  Plopping a piece of blue sticky bite onto my tongue.

“Can we sit for a second?”  My mom motions to a park bench.

“Sure” I am hesitant and think this is the time she is going to tell me about the new man in her life that is the reason for her transformation and newly remodeled house.  The reason she is being nice and concerned over me the last couple days.  Once I say ok and she introduces us it will go back to Maddy go away and hello my new man.

“I wish this would be enough for you but I know it isn’t.  There wouldn’t be anything I could say that would make it better.”  She rambles.

“I’m not following mom.”

“I’m sorry Maddy, for everything.  I should have been a better mother.  I should have been there for you to protect you and watch over you.  Instead I did the opposite putting you in danger.”  Tears stream down her face but she wipes them with the back of her hands.  “God, I didn’t want to do this here but you haven’t been home much since you got back.”

“It’s ok mom, it was a long time ago and I am fine, see.”  I place my hands at my side.

“You’re beautiful, smart and caring.  It kills me that I had nothing to do with that.  You practically raised yourself.”  She remarks.

“Oh mom.  I can’t say I wasn’t bitter towards you but seeing you like this makes me happy.”  I bring my hand down from her head to her toes.  “You look like…”

“A mom” she finishes my sentence.

“Yeah, a mom.”  I confirm.

“It took me awhile to get used to it but I like it too.”  She grins back at me.

“I’m glad.”  I smile genuinely.

“How did I get such a great daughter?”  She puts her arm around my shoulder pulling me into her.

“I don’t know, lucky I guess.”  I shrug my shoulders up against her.

“The luckiest mom ever.  Thank you Maddy.  I don’t deserve your forgiveness.”

“Oh mom.  You stay this way and you won’t have to worry about it.”  I let her hug me.  It’s the closest I have been to her since that night and before that it had been years.

We get off the bench and start walking again towards the rides.

“Maddy I have to talk to you about something else.  I was going to wait until later but after our heart to heart back there I think now is the time.”  She doesn’t face me just looks straight.

The other shoe just dropped along with my stomach.

“What mom?”  My heart is sinking fast.  Why did I let myself fall for her bullshit again?  I can’t believe this is happening.

“I met someone.”  She says it so fast I barely catch it.  “Your brother and Lindsey know and they have already given me their blessing.”

“Blessing for what?”  I ask taking a couple steps away from her.

“He asked me to marry him?  I told him I couldn’t do it without my kids agreeing.”

“Who is he?”  I close my eyes shaking my head back and forth.

“Let’s just say you aren’t the only one who finds the Basso men attractive.”  She smiles and my stomach drops.

“He is the reason for this change?”  I motion up and down her.

She shakes her head up and down biting her lip.

“What about the house?  He remodeled it?”

She shakes her head up and down.

“Why?”  My questions are coming faster and she is getting flustered.

“He didn’t want you to have to come home to where it happened.  Memories of it.”

“You told him?”

She shook her head again.

“You had no right to tell him.”  I whisper and I can feel the tears forming but I push them back as much as I can.  “No wonder he has been so nice to me this week.”  I mumble as my voice shakes.

“I’m sorry Maddy.  I wanted to tell him about my past and when that happened to you it turned the direction of my life another way.  He had to know my past in order to accept me.”  She turns to me now trying to grab my hands but I back away.

“I am just in shock.  That’s why he was over last night?”  I shake my head.  He didn’t come over to see me he came for my mom.  He didn’t care if I was with Trent.  How did I read all of it wrong?

“Yes.  We were going to tell you last night together but you came home so late.”  She reaches for me again to capture that mother daughter moment we just had but I am not ready.

“Mom, just give me some time to absorb this, ok?”   I look everywhere but at her.

“Take all the time you need, honey.”  She steps back away from me.

I walk away unable to breath.  My heart is racing and mixing with the heat I feel like I could pass out.  I throw the blue cotton candy in the garbage.  Retracing the whole time I have been here, I start connecting the dots.  He was there when I got off the plane, rented my car for me.  Picked me up for every function, always watching me and warning me against Trent like everyone else.  Oh my god, he is trying to be my father.  I am such an idiot.  I thought he wanted me but he really wanted my approval to date my mom.  Although the thought of them together actually brings vomit up my esophagus, the real question that boggles my mind is if I am upset about my mom dating Gabe or that I’m not dating Gabe?

Chapter 13 – College – Freshman Year

I got accepted to State along with Makenna and Bryan.  Trent was accepted too and the soccer team was able to offer him a scholarship but he was offered the same at Thrayer University.  Since they had a better program he reluctantly went there.  To say it was devastating to me was an understatement.

When he told me in the barn one night before graduation I cried so hard I started to hyperventilate.  As much as we knew it was the right decision for Trent and his future in soccer, we knew it wasn’t going to work for us.  We made the ultimate decision that we would spend the summer together and break up when we left for school.  When I say we it was more Trent but deep down I knew it would never work going to separate schools.

The summer was amazing.  After a huge fight with my mom about one of her boyfriends I moved in with the Bassos.  With Gabe being up at a school I stayed in his room but I was rarely in that bed.  Each night Trent and I either went to the barn or snuck into one bed or the other.  Mrs. Basso made dinner for us each night and breakfast every morning.  Trent and I would play cards with his parents some nights after dinner.  I loved being part of a real family.

When summer ended, Trent drove me up to school with his parents to say goodbye.  Mackenna and I were rooming together and Bryan was in the floor below us in the co-ed dorm.  She and Bryan had moved in the day before so they were able to help me get all my stuff up to the sixteen floor dorm room.  Mackenna was so excited and I knew I should be too but all I could think about was saying good-bye to Trent.  A half hour later my nightmare came true for the second time in my life I wouldn’t live ten minutes away from Trent.  I wouldn’t see him every day or be able to kiss or hug him.  Since we agreed on breaking up he would no longer be mine and I assumed he would be someone else’s before the month was over.

I said goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Basso thanking them for taking such good care of me.  Mrs. Basso cried telling me I was welcome anytime and if I wanted to stay there during breaks it would be fine.  Mr. Basso told me to study hard and concentrate on my studies.  They went into the car waiting for Trent.  I waited while Trent said his goodbyes to Bryan and Kenna.  I never thought how hard it would be for Trent and Bryan to separate after eighteen years of being together but they only gave each other that guy hug shaking hands but leaning in really quick.  I saw the sadness in both their eyes.

“So, guess this is it.”  I said to Trent when he walked over to me.  The tears were coming fast and I didn’t want to cry.

“I guess so.  I’m going to miss you Maddy.”  Trent came in giving me a hug.

“I will miss you too.  Be careful at Thrayer.”  I whispered.

“I’ll be fine.  Call me if you need anything and don’t believe all the things the college boys tell you.”  He pulled me back holding my shoulders.

I shake my head up and down unable to talk.

“I love you Maddy.  Have fun, we only get to do this once you know?’  He smiled showing his dimple making me melt.

“Trent, maybe we should try the long distance thing.”  I questioned not wanting to know he is no longer mine.

“Maddy, trust me this is killing me but we made our decision and it’s the right decision.  We have to experience this college thing without dating someone seriously.”  He pulled me closer hugging me longer and harder.

“I know” I lied.  I wondered if I should transfer to Thrayer University.

He started kissing my neck bringing his hands to either side of my face tilting my head so he could kiss me.  I had kissed Trent thousands of times but he must have been saving some skills for right now.  My knees gave way but he held me steady with his hand on my back.

“Man, some goodbye kiss.”  Kenna yelled over from where Bryan was holding her tight.

Trent started pulling me closer moving his mouth to my jaw and then neck.  “Always remember Maddy, I love you.”  He softly spoke.

“I love you too Trent.”  I gave him another chaste kiss.

One more hug and he was gone in his van with his parents waving goodbye to me as Bryan rested on one side of me and Mackenna on the other.  At least I had these two, Trent had no one at Thrayer University but a small part of me thought he liked that.

I was a walking zombie for the first two weeks.  I went to my classes or the library and then came home.  I never went out with Mackenna and Bryan.  On Saturday and Sundays, I stayed in bed the whole day only venturing out for some food, which I would bring home to my dorm.  Trent called me a few times but they only lasted a few minutes and he was too preoccupied with the conversations around him than me.  He seemed to be enjoying himself a lot more than me.

Sunday I was sleeping soundly by myself since Mackenna slept over at Bryans.  His roommate went home every weekend so that is usually where I would find her if I had ever been looking for her.  Suddenly a huge pounding came to my door.  I decide to ignore it; they probably had the wrong door anyway.  The pounding continued and then I heard a male voice telling me to open up the damn door.  I knew that voice and I was surprised to hear it.

I stumble out of bed cringing when I look down at myself.  A tank and boxers, no bra or underwear.  I glance at my closet thinking I should change but he pounds again.  I peek at myself in the mirror, the sight is horrifying.  I obviously have not been taking care of myself these past two weeks.

“Chill out, I am coming.”  I scream back at the guy.  I decide he won’t care how I look so why should I, so I walk over to the door swinging it open.

“About time Madgirl.”  Gabe looks me up and down.  “Not sure what look you are going for, heartbreak girl or an I don’t give a shit girl.”  He walks into my room sitting on Mackenna’s bed.

“Please come on in Gabe.” I close the door behind him walking over to my bed.

“So, are you going to throw this whole college thing away because of my dipshit brother?”  He is blunt and to the point.

“Why are you here Gabe?”  I ask sitting on my bed bringing my comforter over my lap.

“I had a party last night and Little Ross told me how you have been moping around not doing anything.”

“You still live up here?”

“Yeah, my brother didn’t tell you?”  He looks at me dumbfounded.  “Of course he didn’t” he smiles obviously aware of something I am not.  “I decided to double major with marketing and economics.  I have another year until I graduate.”

“Man, you’re a go getter huh?”  Just talking about double majoring sounds exhausting.

“Just making sure I have a future that doesn’t involve Belcrest.”

“Really?”  I am surprised.

“What?  You think I want to live the rest of my life in that small town so everyone can know my business.”

“I guess I just thought you were a lifer.”  I shrug my shoulders.

“You thought wrong.”  He deadpans.  “Now get your shit together and let’s go.”

“Go where?”  I question not moving off the bed.

“We are going to have some fun. You do remember what fun is like, right Madgirl?”  He stands up waiting for me.

“I’m not going anywhere Gabe.”  I shake my head back and forth.

“Listen, don’t think I won’t throw you over my shoulder and drag you into the sunlight.  So, either you get dressed and come quietly or everyone will be able to see you in your tank top and boxers, which I am sure they won’t mind.”  He looks me up and down again.

“You’re so annoying.  Why do you even care what I do?”  I ask still not moving from the bed.

“You are my brother’s girl.  He can’t be here so I will take care of you.”  He starts looking around on my dresser.

“Now you are the one not in the loop.  I’m not your brother’s girl anymore” tears still want to come streaming down.

“I heard something about that but you’re still Trent’s girl just look at those eyes.”  He points to me.

“What?”  I blot my eyes with my fingers.

“You are about two minutes away from crying over him.”  His eyes reflect disappointment or agony I can’t tell which.  “I’m not asking again Madgirl.  I will wait for you outside your door.  You have five minutes.” He walks out shutting the door behind him.

I reluctantly throw the comforter off me getting out of bed.  I guess a shower is out of the question so I shrug on my shorts and t-shirt.  We are in the middle of an Indian summer so I want to make sure I am comfortable on whatever excursion Gabe is planning for me today.  I brush my hair, putting some mascara on my lashes.  I grab my id, phone and money and open the door.

Gabe is resting against the wall playing with his phone while girls stare him down as they walk by.  He walks me around campus showing me the places to get the best food, quiet places to study and bars to check out.  We lick our ice cream cones from his favorite place laughing over funny stories he tells me about places we pass.

By the end of the day my cheeks hurt from smiling and laughing so much.  I hadn’t remembered a day I had so much fun lately and I can’t believe I had Gabe to thank.

In the following weeks Gabe and I spend a lot of time together.  He takes me to the rec center to workout, to the library to study together and even to a party.  Except this time I behave myself and he stays by my side the whole time.  Trent hasn’t contacted me since before Gabe came to my room that day and it struck me that I haven’t even noticed.

We start meeting regularly for dinners on Friday nights and occasionally meet up on Saturday at a bar or a party.  He tells me how he wants to be in business for himself and not have a boss.  When all the lay-offs happened at the candy plant by us and he saw everyone around him lose their jobs he knew then he didn’t want someone else to be responsible for his success.  The way he talks about his family it is evident how much he loves them.  Football is everything to him and it is hard being at school and not playing but he is still close to a lot of the guys.  There are so many things about him I don’t know, each one bearing a window inside of him.

I find myself telling him things no one knows about me except Mackenna, Bryan and Trent.  I discuss my parents’ divorce, my mom’s extracurricular activates which he isn’t surprised with.   I tell him how bad I want out of Belcrest and don’t understand how Jack can just go back after graduation.

The topic we never touch on is Trent, as though it is taboo.  I am not sure why Gabe never brings him up but it is hard enough being around Gabe.  He looks so close to Trent and talking about him is still hard.

Gabe drives the three of us home for Thanksgiving and I decide to stay at the Bassos.  Since Gabe is home I slept in Doug’s bedroom who can’t make it back from Washington.  I call my mom but since I have only heard from her twice while I have been away I don’t think she is very concerned where I am spending the holiday.  Jack is going to his new girlfriend Lindsey’s house.  Trent doesn’t come home either.  With soccer season he had practices so he would have dinner at the coach’s house.  I want to sleep in his bed to smell his pillow and sheets but I know it is a bad idea so I stay in Doug’s.

Thanksgiving dinner is hosted at the Bassos.  The house is filled with extended family making the house full of love and warmth.  I never feel like an outsider even without Trent there.  They are my family more than my own.  Of course the house is more old school than new school in the fact that the men watch football all day and the women cook and clean.  I am in the kitchen after dinner helping Mrs. Basso clean the dishes when some of the men come back in for more food.

“What are you boys doing in here?  Didn’t you have enough to eat?” Mrs. Basso glares at Gabe and his cousin Reed taking the bread and turkey out making themselves sandwiches.

“We’re growing boy’s mom.”  Gabe winks at me.

“Gabe you were grown at sixteen.”  Mrs. Basso hits him with a dishtowel.

“There are some girls that would disagree with you there mom.”  Gabe laughs.

“Gabriel Thomas Basso, I know you didn’t just say that not only in front of your mom but Maddy too.”  She points her finger at him.

“Sorry mom, sorry Madgirl.”  He looks sorrowful to his mom but when she turns her back he is chuckling to himself with Reed.

“I hear you boys.”  She says without turning her back.

They make their sandwiches taking a seat at the kitchen table.

“Why aren’t you in there watching football?”   I motion towards the man cave the Basso’s family room turned into.

“Half time” they both say with their mouths full of food.