After helping in the kitchen with the dinner prep, Emma found thatthe boys had swept Dex into the den to play MarioKart and were totally kicking her ass.
“I have no idea when I lost my gaming skills, but I’m clearly notup to the competition in this household.”
“It’s the tiny fingers. They move faster.” Emma laughed. “Come on,boys. It’s turkey time.”
They’d just sat down to dinner at the extended dining-room tablewhen Dex’s phone rang. Dex took it out of her pocket, and Emma could see on thescreen that it was Grace.
“I’ll be right back,” Dex said as she got up and went into thekitchen. Emma was tempted to follow but restrained herself. It was only a fewminutes before Dex came back through the door.
“Sorry about that. A friend needed marshmallow advice. It’s herfirst Thanksgiving dinner.” She pointed to the dish of sweet potatoes on thetable.
“Marshmallows can be difficult,” Emma’s mother said as she pickedthem up and passed them to her left. “One minute they’re perfect, and the nextthey’re up in flames.”
“I don’t doubt that is happening at this very moment.” Everyone atthe table laughed. Then Dex’s phone rang again. “Right on cue.” She hopped upand went back into the kitchen.
“Sounds like she’s a good friend to whoever that is on the phone.”
“Yes, the best.” Emma held her tongue. This wasn’t the time orplace to talk about Grace.
Dex slid into her chair. “My friend, Grace, again. Sorry aboutthat.” She set her phone on the table. “You have a wonderful home here, andyour yard is impeccable.”
“Thanks. I don’t have the energy to keep it up like I used to,”Bill said.
“I’d be happy to trim up the holly bushes and shape the crepemyrtles for you.”
“You like to work in the yard?”
“Dex has her own landscaping business.” Emma rubbed her handacross Dex’s back. “I bet she’d do wonders with it.”
“I don’t know. I’ve never thought about paying someone to do yardwork.”
“I’d be happy to do it for free.” Her phone buzzed on the table,and she glanced at it.
“Seriously? Again?” Emma rolled her eyes. “This is too much, Dex.”Would there ever be a day when Grace wouldn’t be front and center in Dex’slife?
“Is that your friend again?” Emma’s mother asked.
“I’m so sorry.” Dex started to get up.
Emma’s mother motioned toward her with her fingers. “Hand it tome.”
Dex glanced at Emma and then reluctantly handed it over.
“Hello, Grace, sweetheart. I hear this is your first Thanksgivingdinner and you’re having a hard time.” She bobbed her head up and down. “Oh,that’s just miserable. Tell you what. Just scrape those marshmallows off andput on a whole new batch. This time when you put them in the oven, leave thedoor open just a tad and watch them. As soon as they start to brown, yank themout.” She listened for a minute. “Don’t worry, honey. It happens to all of us.”She pushed her glasses up on her nose. “Now if you have any more trouble, justcall back, and I’ll be happy to help.” She nodded. “You too, honey.” She hitthe end button on the phone and held it in her hand. “She’ll be fine.” Insteadof handing Dex the phone, she slid it onto the buffet behind her. “You relax,and let the expert field her questions.”
“Okay,” Dex said and gave Emma a sly smile.
Glo fielded at least three more phone calls during dinner andshooed Emma and Dex to the living room after most of the dishes had been done.
As soon as they settled in, the microwave began to beep. “Should Iget that for her?”
Emma shook her head, knowing her mother had put her coffee in fora warm-up. “She’ll find it.”
When Dex’s phone rang again, she heard Glo shout from the kitchen.“Still? Dinner should be over by now.”
Dex seemed to recognize the number on the screen. “False alarm.It’s my mom.” She hit the button and pressed the phone to her ear. “Hey, Mom.”Dex smiled, hit the speaker button, and put the phone between her and Emma.
“Happy Thanksgiving, honey.” They listened as both her parents’voices came through loud and clear.
“Happy Thanksgiving. Wow, this connection is great. Are you backin the States?”
“No. We’re still in Thailand rebuilding houses. Your dad finagledsome internet time from his boss.” Dex smiled at Emma as she spoke. “Are you withyour sister?”
“No. I’m at my girlfriend’s parents’.”
“What? When did that happen? Is she nice? What’s her name?”
“It’s new, but yes, she is. Emma.”
Emma gave her a sideways glance, and she winked.
“I’m glad to hear that, honey. You’ll have to tell us all abouther.” There was silence, and she knew her parents were waiting for moreinformation.
“I will. Soon. I promise. Hey, Mr. Anderson at the homelessshelter says hello. He misses your help and wants to know when you’ll be back.Says you’re a born organizer and he needs you.”
“Tell him hello back, but it’s going to be a few more monthsbefore we come that way again. There’s still plenty to be done here. I’mteaching English now as well.”
“Oh, wow. That’s awesome, Mom. He thought as much but wanted me totell you anyway. We all miss you guys.”
Dex’s voice deflated and Emma felt sad. She’d never thought aboutwhat it would be like not having her parents close.
“We miss you too. We’ll call again tomorrow. Now you go enjoyyourself.”
“Thanks, Mom. I love you.”
“We love you too, honey.”
She hit the End button, smiled at Emma, and said, “Mary and Craig,my mom and dad.”
“I gathered.” She smiled. “Are you okay?”
“I’m awesome. You?” Dex asked.
She nodded “I guess it’s official now, huh?”
Dex smiled. “Totally.” She gave her a soft kiss on the lips.
Bill interrupted their moment when he flopped into the reclinernext to the love seat, stretched out his legs, and pointed at Emma’s brothers,who were half dozing. After dinner, they’d each immediately loosened their beltsa notch and taken half of the couch. “So who’s going to help with the lightsthis weekend?”
They stared at each other and shifted in their seats, waiting eachother out to see who would speak first.
