Anger crackled through me with nervous energy until I couldn’t sit still for a second. I fished out my cell phone out and sent the horrible truth to Shanda. Mom invited Jake to Thanksgiving dinner. What a sick joke. I have to get out of here NOW.
On a whim, I added Bryan to the message before I sent it. Minutes later, my phone still lay silent. Of course, they had happy Thanksgiving plans. I curled and uncurled my fingers, electric fury zapping up and down my whole body. I couldn’t take it any more.
I rushed to my closet, throwing in anything that could fit into my suitcase. Then a firm knock rapped on the door.
“Can I come in?” Dad’s voice rumbled through the wood.
“Fine.” I kicked the suitcase into the recesses of my closet.
He opened the door, his stubbled face full of worry. “I’m sorry, Lucy. I had no idea she’d invited him. I’m sure she just wants you to hear him out, but this probably isn’t the right time or place for that. I’m not here to excuse her actions. So I’ve decided that we’ll do whatever you want. If you want to send him away, I’ll tell him to leave.”
The fire inside died a little at that broken look on his face, like a wounded St. Bernard. “All I wanted was to have a nice dinner. I’m not sure what to do.”
His mouth curved up an inch. “You say the word, and he’s gone. No questions asked.”
I swallowed the lump of dread rising in my throat. “Maybe it’s time to be a big girl and face him. At least you’ll be here. What’s the worst that could happen?” Famous last words.
“That’s my brave girl.” He wrapped me up in a bear hug and kissed the top of my head. “Now put on something nice. You know how Mom feels about Thanksgiving.”
“I know.” I rolled my eyes behind his back. “I’ll be out in a few minutes.”
Dad ruffled my hair and gently closed the door behind him.
I rushed to my closet, pawing through my clothes. A hideous gold knit sweater from Mom’s favorite old lady store stuck out like a sore thumb. I yanked it over my head, then slapped on a headband and some pearls.
If she wanted nice, I could play nice. I didn’t even recognize myself in the mirror. Perfect. I cleaned up like a fresh-faced version of Mom’s forty-something sweater-set friends.
~
With a flourish I flounced down the hall, smoothing down my stick-straight hair and adjusting my pearls. An evil idea crossed my mind that I should spritz on some of grandma’s perfume, but I swatted the annoying thought away like a true debutante. I breezed into the dining room, plastering a smile all over face.
“Dinner almost ready, Mommy, dearest?” The added Donna Reed sweetness did the trick.
Mom dropped the spoon in the gravy with a splash.
“You look lovely, as always, Lucy.” Jake’s tone was almost as fake as mine.
“Thank you, Jacob.” I chirped at him, but I didn’t even give him a second glance. Instead, I pranced into the kitchen and pulled out the potato masher. “With or without lumps, Mother?”
“Whatever you want, sweetheart.” Mom’s smile faded as she watched me mash and mash the spuds with a pounding intensity. “That’s enough, darling.”
“All ready to serve then, I think.” I ground my molars together as if I could crush her misguided plans with sheer will. “Shall we eat?”
“Of course. Good, everyone’s all here.” Mom dumped the potatoes into a crystal bowl, scurrying to the dining room table as if she could escape the Donna Reed me.
Right on her heels, I slid into the chair between Paige and Grandma, leaving Grandpa segregated on the same side as Jake.
“How perfect is this?” Even the gender bias played into my hands. Yes, the 1950s were still alive and well-preserved in the McAllen household.
“Shall I say grace?” Dad coughed, hiding any semblance of a smile behind folded hands. “Dear Lord, we thank you for the wonderful gifts you have given us. Please help us to always be thankful for your blessings, and to remember you in all we do.”
“Amen,” I said, louder than the rest of my family. “Please pass the potatoes, Grandma.”
She nodded her sage nod at me. “You’re very chipper today, Lucy. That boarding school must be doing wonders for you.”
“I’ll say. It’s the best place I’ve been in years.” I nodded back, thumping a pile of mashed potatoes onto the gold-trimmed china.
Mom cringed at the end of the table but just spooned more stuffing on her plate.
Jake cleared his throat, his beady little eyes swinging around the table. “I’m sure you are all wondering what I’m doing here.”
“I for one couldn’t care less what you have to say.” Paige’s angry words silenced the rest of the table. She just shrugged. “What? I made the mistake of trusting this guy once already, and he followed Lucy all over New York City. I won’t believe anything he says ever again.”
“Thank you, sis.” I squeezed her hand, and she squeezed back.
“That’s one of the things I wanted to apologize about.” Jake put down his fork. “I should’ve never gone to New York. I just had this intense desire to see you. When I saw you with your new boyfriend, I got jealous and just snapped. I’m sorry I did that. I guess I understand now why you ran into my fireplace.”
“What?” I slammed my fists against the table. The silver and china clinked with a satisfying shudder. “Becca pushed me into that fireplace. Besides, I didn’t stalk you across five states.”
“So it’s true then?” His spaniel brown eyes laid into me, as if that begging-pup act still worked. “You really do have a new boyfriend?”
I narrowed my eyes into a laser beam aimed straight at Mom, the heat sizzling from my hands to my face. “How could you tell him that? It’s none of his business.”
Her face crumpled. “I
