“It just doesn’t seem possible that my eldest child is going to be forty. When I was forty, I had four kids under seven running around.”
Kate side-eyed her mom, “Are you saying I’m a slacker?”
“No, I’m not saying that. You always wanted to have your own business, and you’ve made that happen! I do hope you’ll find a lasting love, and I’d be thrilled if you had children—your own, or stepchildren, foster, or adoption.” Her mom shrugged.
“Thanks, Mom.” She wanted to say more, but the words were stuck in her throat. Kate wanted to tell her mom she didn’t think a family was something in her future–and kids? She didn’t even know if she was ever going to share a pet with someone again. Unbidden, a picture appeared in her mind of Hannah, her, and Smoky. Was she making a mistake breaking things off with Hannah? Or was it worse to allow both of them to slip under the murky waters of deep feelings?
She went upstairs to her old bedroom. It had been redone as a guest bedroom over fifteen years ago, but her parents had left up the shelf that held her old track trophies. She unzipped her bag and pulled out a pair of red and black flannel pajamas and changed. Her room was always on the chilly side when she was growing up, and that hadn’t changed. Kate got an extra blanket out of the hall closet and plopped it on her bed. Before heading downstairs to have some of the pot roast, she peeked into theroom next to hers. Her sister Allie was putting her six-month-old down in a Pack ’n Play.
Kate walked into the room and looked over Allie’s shoulder. “You look great,” she whispered.
Allie, who was a carbon copy of their mom, while Kate favored their dad, smiled. “Now that he has started some solids along with breastfeeding, he’s finally sleeping better.”
“Hey, the kid likes to eat. Just like his aunt.”
“I’m going downstairs to check on the kids. You coming down?” Her sister asked.
“Yep,” Kate said as she followed Allie down the stairs. “Does Dad have any Guinness to go with the pot roast?”
Allie nodded, “There’s tons to drink in the garage. I’m glad this year it isn’t too cold to keep everything out there. Mom has the outside fridge stuffed with food for tomorrow.”
“If we talk about food a minute longer, I’m going to start drooling. Mom is the best cook.”
Allie nodded, “She is indeed.” Allie turned to the right to go to the living room, where her husband and her two school-aged children were watching a movie with Grandpa. Kate walked out to the garage, got her cold drink, and then filled a bowl with her mom’s famous pot roast.
Just as she was finishing her food, the doorbell rang. Kate waited with a fork held halfway to her mouth, hoping someone else was going to get the door. It had to be one of her brothers, and as far as she was concerned, they could just come in. The doorbell rang again, and Kate’s mother yelled from the laundry room, “Can someone get the door? It’s probably Robbie!”
Kate quickly shoved the last forkful of melt-in-your-mouth roast in her mouth and rushed to get to the door before her brother rang the doorbell a third time. She opened it, and a golden retriever bounded inside and jumped on Kate.
“Juju! Get down.” Juju sat, tail wagging, and butted his head under Kate’s hand.
Her brother Robbie had short brown hair and green eyes that were the same shade as hers. He’d moved out of state, and because of that, she hadn’t seen him in nearly a year. He had grown a moustache, but other than that he looked unchanged.
Kate smacked her forehead. “I can’t believe I didn’t bring any dog treats.”
Her brother crossed the threshold and unwound a scarf. “But did you bring a girlfriend?”
“I don’t even get a hug before you start giving me the third degree. What’s that about, Robbie?”
Robbie gave his sister a big hug, and she returned it begrudgingly.
“I follow you on social media, of course.”
“Why would that make you think I was bringing a girlfriend to Thanksgiving?”
“Well, there were pictures from some Halloween thing at your shop, and in one of them you were standing with a girl in a witch’s hat. Then you were tagged in pictures from that brewery with the same girl.”
Kate directed her attention to petting Juju. “So? It’s a small town. There are only so many people.”
“Then I saw the same girl sharing your live earlier today.” Robbie unlaced his boots and put them by the door.
“Geez, did you get a new job as a private investigator? I don’t know how you’ve had enough time to keep tabs on me and work.”
Robbie held up his hands. “Fine, I was wrong. I guess you didn’t bring anyone.”
“I don’t have a girlfriend.”
“If you say so.” Robbie turned away from her and started walking toward the living room, following Juju, who was alreadyjumping on the couch in the laps of Allie’s kids, who were eating popcorn. “Don’t let Juju have any popcorn! He doesn’t need people food!” Robbie said.
