Thursday:
I was busily helping my mom prepare Thanksgiving dinner. So far nobody had yet arrived.
"Are you nervous?" Brie whispered to me as she was just finishing up the potatoes.
"I'm afraid to die," I told her with a small smile.
"It should be fine," Brie assured me.
Oh Brie, I hope you're right.
Someone knocked on the door and I ran over to get it, almost running into Daniel, who was cutting the turkey.
"I will hurt you!" Daniel yelled after me he swung the knife over his head.
I made it to the door and opened it.
"Hello!" My cousin Journey burst through the door, her husband Reed right next to her.
"Hey!" I exclaimed, pulling her into a hug.
"I haven't seen you in forever," Journey told me.
Journey had really long, wavy brown hair that went all the day down her back and large brown eyes. Reed had blonde hair and blue eyes.
A small head poked from behind Journeys leg, "Hi!"
"Hey, Kendra," I said to the small girl with a smile, "Come in."
I felt a little relieved that it wasn't Roxi or Charlotte at the door. I wasn't ready for that yet.
I watched the three go greet Daniel. Dean appeared behind me. I looked over at him.
"Yo," I said.
"Hi," Dean said with a smile.
Kendra ran over to me, "Hey mom, it's the crazy wrestler from TV!"
Dean's smile faded a little bit.
Journey quick walked over to us, "That's Dean, Kendra. He's Gabby's boyfriend."
Kendra tilted her head at me, "But why would you date someone crazy."
I swear, little kids don't think before they speak.
"He's not crazy," I said.
"Yes he is," Kendra shot back.
I bent down on her level, "Well, I'm going to let you in on a little secret," I whispered, "Crazy guys are pretty hot."
Kendra giggled a little.
Journey gave me a small smile, "Come on, Kendra. Grandma and Grandpa are here."
I hadn't even noticed that my aunt Bridget and her husband George had arrived. Kendra gave me one more look before she went running over to hug her grandma.
I looked back over at Dean to see him looking over at me with a smirk.
"Shut up," I said with a small smile.
"Gabby, Charlotte's here!" I heard my mom call.
"Coming!" I yelled back. I winked at Dean before walking over.
"Hey, it's my second family!" I heard Charlotte yell as she was giving my mom a hug.
I walked over and saw Zach holding Gabriel in his hands. Charlotte ran over and gave me a hug when she saw me.
"Gabby, you need to stop leaving me," Charlotte said.
I felt guilty as I gave her a smile when we broke apart.
"And little Gabriel," I said, looking at the small baby boy.
It was about ten minutes when everyone had arrived except for Roxi. I kept looking nervously at the door as I tried to socialize with everyone.
Roxi still hadn't arrived by the time my mom called that dinner was ready. All the kids went to sit at the kids table as the rest of us sat at the dining table. I ended up sitting in between Dean and Brie.
We all said grace before we dug right in.
Chatter started around the table. Charlotte seemed very pleased as most of the talking seemed to come towards her way about Gabriel.
I jumped a little when the door knocked.
"I'll get it," I said, standing up. Brie gave me a pat on the back in reassurance as I walked into the kitchen and towards the front door.
I opened it to see Roxi standing there. She looked beautiful when she was nicely dressed and clean.
"I'm sorry I'm late," she said, "Is Charlotte here yet?"
"Yes," I said slowly, "Everyone is eating. Let me warn you, don't come on to strong."
"I won't," Roxi assured me, "Lead the way."
I led the way towards the dining room, every step my heart beat picked up. Roxi's heels clicked behind me. Well, I might as well get ready to die, I thought just as I turned the corner into the dining room.
"Excuse me," I said, "I want to introduce you guys to someone," I stepped aside and let Roxi step in beside me.
Charlottes reaction was immediate. She dropped the bun was holding on the table. Her face immediately got bright red and her eyes were narrowed. She stayed quiet for the time being.
"This is Charlotte's mom, Roxi," I introduced.
Everyone looked straight at Charlotte. Charlotte started flexing her fist under the table.
Tears came to Roxi's eyes, "Charlotte sweet heart," she went over to her, "I missed you so much."
"Don't touch me," Charlotte said slowly when Roxi put her hand on her shoulder.
I slowly walked over and sat at the table. Brie gave me a wary look.
Roxi ignored Charlotte's bitterness, "This must be Zach."
Zach seemed unsure what to do. He looked from Charlotte to Roxi, "Nice to meet you......"
Roxi looked over from Zach to Gabriel, "He's beautiful, sweet heart."
"Do not touch my baby," Charlotte said, trying to keep her voice level.
"Am I missing something?" Dean whispered in my ear.
"Why are you being so angry with me?" Roxi asked.
"Are you f*cking kidding me?" Charlotte said.
"Charlotte!" Journey snapped, "Their are kids in the other room!"
"I'm confused," Roxi said, "I thought......"
"Well whatever you thought you thought wrong," Charlotte said, "Why don't you just leave?"
"But sweeth......."
"I am not your sweetheart!" Charlotte snapped, "And I don't want to talk to you!"
The room became completely silent.
Charlotte suddenly got up and walked towards the front door. I heard the front door slam.
Roxi looked over at me, a depressed look on her face. Zach was looking at me as if questioning what the hell I was thinking.
I slowly stood up, "I'm going to go talk to her."
When I made it outside, Charlotte was leaning against her van, her head in her hands. I have never seen her this upset in my entire life.
I walked cautiously over to her, "Char....."
Charlotte looked up at me, "Go away."
"No, I'm your friend. I want to be here for you," I said.
"Why did you bring her here!" Charlotte suddenly yelled.
"Because with you having your baby and everything I thought you would want to be with your family again!" I exclaimed, "I thought you would want to reunite with your mom."
"What, so I'm just supposed to let the person that abandoned me just waltz back into my life?" Charlotte snapped.
I didn't know much about Charlotte and what happened to her parents. We never really talked about it. I put my hand on her shoulder, "You are in real pain, aren't you."
Charlotte looked away from me.
"What happened?" I whispered, "What happened between you two?"
Charlotte sniffed, "I can't...."
"You can tell me anything," I said, "You're my best friend."
Charlotte stared at me for a few seconds before saying, "Well, I was the happiest girl in the world. My mom and dad had that perfect happy relationship. But my whole world was tip upsides down. When my dad......" she took a deep breath.
"It's ok," I said.
Charlotte's voice shook as she said it, "My dad died in a car accident."
My eyes widened in shock. Tears started dripping down her eyes as she started wiping them away.
"Why didn't you ever tell me?" I asked her.
"Because it was just to painful to bring up," Charlotte stuttered out.
"Theirs something I still don't understand," I said, "What does this have to do with you not wanting to see your mom?"
"She shut me out!" Charlotte exclaimed, "The moment Dad died it was as if I didn't even exist. That's why the moment I turned 18 I bolted and never looked back. She abandoned me when I most needed her. How could she do that to her own child? And now she thinks she can just come right back in life and pretend like none of that ever happened."
I gave her a sad look. I didn't like bringing this up, but if it meant helping my best friend maybe it would be worth it.
"You know, I can relate to her a little bit," I muttered, "Do you remember what happened last Christmas? What I told you about?"
Charlotte nodded, "What does that have to do......."
"I know how your mom felt," I said, taking in a calm and understanding tone, "The moment that, that crowbar hit him," I took a deep breath, the memory replaying in my head, "That moment I felt like my whole world was coming down on top of me and that's how your mom must have felt."
"I mean, imagine if Zach died today," I said, "How would you feel?"
"Depressed I guess," Charlotte whispered, "But that doesn't mean I would turn my back on my son."
"You don't know that unless it actually happens to you," I said, "That was your dad that died and I know how you felt. He meant the world to you and I know that, but that was the love of your mom's life. It was unexpected."
"Your mom wants to be back in your life and I don't want you to live with that regret that you never gave her a second chance," I said, "That's why I invited your mom over, because she still loves you. She wants to try."
Charlotte sniffed.
"So will you give her a chance? I asked.
Charlotte shrugged, "I guess."
I pulled her into a hug. She hugged me back.
"I love you," I told her, "I would never do anything that would not be good for you."
"Thanks," Charlotte whispered as we broke apart.
I stood up, "So, are you hungry?"
Charlotte smiled, "Starving," she stood next to me.
"Well, let's go eat," I said, putting my arm around her.
Later.....
We were are standing in the backyard.
Daniel had the football in his hand, "Ready and..... go."
I started looking around, waiting for Daniel to throw the ball.
Daniel threw the ball over to Dean. I started running in pursuit.
Kendra got there before me. She grabbed onto his leg and hung on.
"I've got him!" She exclaimed, holding tight onto Dean's leg.
"I'm trapped!" Dean exclaimed before he purposely fell over, "She got me!"
Kendra stood up and started chanting yes. I laughed as Charlotte joined her.
"That's right, girls rule!" Charlotte said to Dean.
"Dean, what the hell?" My cousin Drake asked, "You got beat by a little girl."
"She's strong, dude. No joke," Dean said as he stood up.
Kendra pointed at Drake, "You want to go!"
"Well that was fourth down," Daniel said, tossing me the football.
"Ok, let's all calm down," I said as I started tossing the ball back and forth.
"Pass it to me, Gabby," Charlotte said next to me, winking at me.
"Alright," I said, "Everyone ready!"
I scanned over the field. Charlotte, Kendra, Journey, Brie and I were on the girls side. Daniel, Dean, Zach, Drake and Reed were on the other side. My mom had a huge smile on her face as she took pictures of us. Roxi stood next to her, holding a giggling baby Gabriel in her hands. The sight made me smile. My other family members were crowded around. I noticed Drakes brother Derek still eating in the shadows. I stifled a laugh.
"And!" I shouted, "Go!"
I backed up, trying to look for an open person. I threw the ball towards Charlotte. As everyone ran for her, she quickly threw it back to me.
I went running down the field.
I heard someone roar behind me and I saw Dean was starting to catch up to me.
"Oh my god!" I yelled in laughter as I continued running.
I was about ten feet away when Dean grabbed me around the waist and tackled me to the ground.
"Hey man, get off of me!" I exclaimed as Dean laughed at me.
Dean got up and held his hand out for me. I took it as he helped me to my feet.
"That was literally scary," I told him as I picked up the football, "You just about gave me a heart attack."
"Let's go, one more point and we win!" Charlotte yelled, "Only ten feet away."
I walked over with the football and set up again. I knew exactly what to do.
"Go!" I yelled. I right away handed the ball Kendra.
"Can't catch me!" Kendra yelled as she made it to the end zone.
"Yay!" Journey ran over and picked Kendra up, "You did I!"
"Man, without Kendra you guys would have lost big time," Daniel told me and Brie.
"That's probably actually true," Brie said, "Because nobody wants to tackle the little girl."
Daniel laughed as Brie gave him a smile.
"So, what do we get for winning!" Charlotte exclaimed.
"You get the pride of knowing you beat us," Daniel said.
"Yes!" Charlotte exclaimed, giving me a high five.
I tweet of picture of all ten of us saying: 'Boys vs Girls Football. Guess the guys couldn't hang ;) #HappyThanksgiving.'
Daniel responds: 'Rematch for next year and the MEN will win. Just wait and see.'
........
And theirs a picture of Thanksgiving Dinner to make you all hungry ;)