Those are the breaks

 

Jody wished she could think of something. She studied place settings on Pinterest while Andrew was on his laptop lounging on the couch. 

She looked at him thinking he was everything she ever hoped for, but she didn't have anyone to tell this too. So much to look forward too, like a wedding which might never happen.

"What is it, babe?" He looked at her waiting to know what was up.

"Oh, it's just I want to have Thanksgiving, but where could we have it?" She festered a frown, wondering if she should call her step-sister.

"You know, we should stay at home. I was going to bake the turkey breast," he sounded that was enough for Thanksgiving, but she remembered rolls, stuffing, the cranberries. And people. It would be just the two of them.

She sighed wondering what to do. She really needed everyone together. Her mother needed everyone together.

She called Jay, but didn't get an answer. As it was she'd text him over an hour ago and nothing. Some big brother she thought. So she meant to call her other brother Jamie but got Jared instead.

She asked him about Thanksgiving.

"Thanksgiving? Well hell, I've been cooking Thanksgiving meals all week," Jared's voice was blunt, but then usually she had to be blunt with him. 

"What about mom?" She needed her mom but didn't know how to actually get her mom to be the mom she wanted.

"She's pumkined out, kiddo." He sighed as if he had no time for such talk.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"Watching TV," he told her. 

"At mom's?"

"No."

"Where are you?" She wondered if he'd found someone new to spend three days with or some such lonesome story.

"I'm living with Sal," he reminded her that Mom lived a few doors down in the same apartment complex.

She heard voices in the background.

"Look, talk to Sal," He handed the phone over.

Jody awoke as soon as she heard his deep voice. He said he had a bar, and he was closed on Thanksgiving but they could have Thanksgiving at the bar.

Jody almost smiled, but then she imagined her wedding there too. She couldn't help but be a little sad.