I might have picked up one of my first loves again—my anatomy and physiology book. Except I recently bought a new one. The newest version used in medical school. Stupidly expensive for a book, but it is what it is. I’m enjoying it.
“You think they want something?” Ellory asks, reminding me that he asked about our grandparents.
“I don’t know,” I answer.
He looks at me, giving me a demure expression. “Really? That’s all you’re going to say?”
We’ve all compared notes on what our grandparents said when we were called into the conference room for our personal apologies. From what I can tell, it was basically a script they read to each of us. They were sorry for the things they said, and they didn’t mean anything by them. It was a test of our loyalty to the family.
Blah, blah, blah.
Loren brought a knife in. While his first choice is always a butcher knife, he brought in a cleaver this time. That’s likely why his visit was the shortest.
I hope what they took from our little visit wasn’t that we’re loyal to our family but to each other first and foremost. You don’t get to call yourself family if you’re never around. That makes you blood, not family. Thereisa distinction.
“What do you want me to say?” I ask. “I agree that something feels weird that they suddenly showed up. On the one hand, we can say it’s because they have a great-grandchild, right? Clearly, grandchildren aren’t important enough to show up for since they have seven—and one they only just met at dinner that evening. But given what we know, does that seem like enough to bring them home?Family?”
“Ironic, isn’t it?” Avory says. “Testing our loyalty to family when they abandoned their four youngest kids to their eldest to raise,and the rest of us can count their presence in our lives on a single hand. Isthatfamily?”
I turn my attention back to the ceiling. The gear in my hand, spinning between my pinched fingers, is a constant whir in my head. My foot shakes, though I’m trying to keep it still, since Avory is leaning against the couch I’m lying on.
“What I find most infuriating is that their apology only went to us. They haven’t apologized to any of our partners,” I say.
“Not that it matters, but not even those who are married into our family. At the very least, they should have apologized to Oakley and Briar,” Avory says.
I nod in agreement. I get it. Partners are temporary, right? But marriage is supposed to be a sign of permanence. Avory’s right. At least two of them should have received an apology. Even if not a lengthy memorized apology. A simple ‘I’m sorry for being a dick’ would go a long way with both our partners and us.
I’m not sure they understand the rift they’ve created. Then again, I think maybe they do.
Thanksgiving was… interesting. My favorite part was that Dad did not let them take the head of the table. He made them get up in front of everyone and take their seats elsewhere.
More than that, Uncle Noaz didn’t let them interact with Emerson. I didn’t let them near Axl. They learned how spicy Jessica is when they tried to ignore her and embrace Myro. They understood Jessica existed after that confrontation.
They haven’t been back in the big house since. Hopefully, they understand that they’re not welcome unless they figure out howto get their heads out of their asses. I have a feeling that by the time they do, it’ll be too late. The damage will be done.
Most curious of all is that our uncles are still here. Uncle Arath is staying in the big house instead of his, which is by our grandparents’ house. The other house down in that area is Uncle Oxley’s, and he’s there with Huntley. I think we were all a little concerned until Uncle Oxley told us how he beat Uncle Kairo with his crutches.
Uncle Kairo is still here, too. He’s been hopping between his house deep in the woods beyond Uncle Noaz’s and the big house. Uncle Auden is here, as is his son, Rhodes. That’s probably been the most entertaining. Not just because Rhodes has brought his lover, Bennett, who is this blinding light of happiness in contrast to Rhodes’ borderline twisted outlook on life, but they have the pack with them, and our grandparentsdo notlike the wolves.
Also, a strange development is Bennett’s presence. Strange, because Rhodes has always been perpetually single. We always thought it was a subconscious thing since his father was a damn hoe, with a different person every single day. Suddenly, Uncle Auden hasn’t brought anyone home in over a year, and Rhodes has a boyfriend.
Very, very strange.
“I don’t care why they’re here,” I say.
“It’s a strange choice of first impressions after not seeing them in years,” Ellory says. “I don’t remember once that they were homophobic growing up. I mean, I know they weren’t around, but I feel like it would’ve come up when they were, you know? We never hid that we’re gay.”
By ‘we,’ he meant Imry. I’m not sure Avory and Ellory feel like they’re oriented in either direction. Their attraction is to each other only. I’ve always thought they just claimed gay as they’re guys and Imry is gay. Not because they felt a particular way about it.
“Whatever,” Avory says. “I’m put off by their presence. On one hand, I don’t really care why they’re here. They have some kissing ass to do if they expect to be a part of this family again. On the other, I’m curious what brought them home.”
“Omen. Like something is coming,” Ellory says as he picks Axl up and snuggles him close. Like they do with Emerson, my brothers visit often. They love uncle time with Axl. I think they feel less like they’re intruding because we live in the big house.
I check my watch and pull myself up. “Time for dinner.”
The best thing about the week following Thanksgiving is the meals. Leftovers are made into everything under the sun—breakfast hash, omelets, scones, pancakes, sandwiches, casseroles, pies, breads, charcuterie platters… You name it, a version has been created. Every evening is something different, and I love it.
Tonight is probably the last of it, though. We’re likely running low on the meals they prepped with the leftovers.
