Esther beckoned him and he jumped up and hurried to her side. “What is it?”
“It’s time to make thelatkes. You need to show me where your kitchen is.”
He chuckled and like he’d seen in old movies, held out his arm. “This way.” Louisa held her other arm, and they made their way to the kitchen.
Knowing Drew’s surgery would wipe everything else from his mind, in the days leading up to the first night of the holiday, he’d bought all the ingredients they’d need.
“I think I got everything, right?” Anxiously, he waited for Esther’s approval.
“Perfect,” she said with a firm nod of approval. “Let’s get to work.”
Esther had agreed to forgo the traditional box shredder and conceded to use a food processor to shred the potatoes, therefore cutting the prep time in half. He’d even bought pre-chopped onions but hid them from Drew, knowing he’d get teased for it.
“They look delicious, don’t they?” Esther spooned out two more as he made room in the pan.
He smiled at the satisfied note in her voice. “The best.”
Within minutes, the smell of the fryinglatkesrose in the air and one by one, everyone trickled into the kitchen except, Ash noticed, Drew. Rachel put Max in the high chair they’d bought him for his visits, and he handed her the spatula.
“I’ll be right back.”
Finding Drew struggling to stand, Ash set his jaw in a hard line and stormed over to him. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” He put his arm around Drew’s waist to steady him.
“Trying to stand. I wanted to be with you.” A fine sheen of sweat had broken out over Drew’s face. “I’m not sick, you know.”
“I know, baby. And I intend to keep it that way.” Careful not to rush him but aware of Drew’s need to prove he was still in control, Ash led him to the dining room where he’d had his housekeeping service set the table the night before. From the kitchen he smelled not only thelatkesbut the brisket, and his heart expanded at the now-familiar scents and rituals he and Drew shared. He pulled out the chair for Drew and waited until he was seated. “One second. I forgot something.” He raced into the living room and returned with the menorah and set it in the middle of the side table, where it rested in its shining glory.
Everything that mattered to him was in this room, and if the outside world ceased to exist, he’d be fine without it. He’d lived through the hell of the worst of times and intended to embrace the best.
Everyone entered from the kitchen, holding bowls of steaming chicken soup, except Rachel, who held on to Max. They placed one at each setting; then Mike returned with the high chair, and Rachel slipped the little boy into his seat and gave him a bowl of his own cooler version.
Esther remained standing and waved Ash over to her. “Come now. It’s time to light the candles.” Since he and Drew had been together, Esther had asked him to light the candles.
“It brings you closer to us to be part of our traditions,” Drew said after the first time.
“I like getting closer to you,” He pounced on Drew and took his mouth in a bruising kiss. “Next to you and inside you.”
Ash caught Drew’s eye and Drew gave him that slow smile and winked, an indication he knew exactly what Ash was thinking. He forced himself to think about anything other than being with Drew. Tonight was all about the miracle of being together and alive.
Chapter Eight
Drew had neverbeen more proud of Ash than that night. Being that the celebration was so close to his surgery, he was rendered pretty useless at helping. He couldn’t even bring in food from the kitchen as he was forbidden to lift or carry anything. Drew chafed at sitting still and watching others do around him.
He had his own surprise, one he hadn’t told anyone about, but it was still too early. It wouldn’t arrive until later that evening.
“What’s going on in your head?” Ash murmured. Chatter rose around them, blocking out their conversation. Rachel attempted to keep Max from dropping his food on the floor while Mike, Jordan, and Tash talked football.
“Who, me? Nothing?” He forked a big piece of brisket into his mouth and chewed.
“Liar. I always know when you’re hiding something.” Ash’s eyes grew wide. “You didn’t hear anything new from the doctors after your surgery, right? Everything’s the same?”
He swallowed hastily. “Of course. I’d never keep that from you.”
“So what aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing,” he said sharply and seeing a flicker of hurt in Ash’s eyes, instantly felt contrite. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t snap at you. I just hate being so helpless. I’m not used to sitting around all day doing nothing, and two weeks of this might make me crazy.”
“I know, baby, but you need to recuperate. And once you’re healed, I’ve decided we need to take some time away. Just the two of us. We’ve never had a vacation or even a honeymoon.”
