My dad shrugs and smirks. “I never ask about your dating life, but if I did, then we would merely suggest this as a top-notch location for booking a room.”
I shift uncomfortably in my chair and stretch my neck as this might be my entry point, although only kind of. “Well, my dating status is… well… uhm… may be changing.” My voice squeaks.
My mom instantly plants her elbows on the table and rests her chin on her palms. “Do tell.”
“You see…” What to say?
“Oh, I recognize that woman.” My dad ignores me and peeks over my shoulder.
My sight whips to the corner where Gracie just walked in, stopping because the man next to her just got pulled to the side by an employee. I assume he is her brother because I notice a few facial similarities, although his hair is darker, and seems like the guy in the photo at her place. Shit. Her eyes briefly meet mine, and I see a glimpse of panic for a second. I’m notsupposed to be here. It was chopping down a tree and then maybe a drink before rushing on out. Instead, my parents convinced me to stay longer, and my stomach was growling for cheese and crackers, anyhow.
My mom swings her gaze to her side. “Yeah, she was at one of the games. We briefly chatted over her mother’s design skills. You know, I even took their family photos when she was a baby. Grace, yep, that’s her name.”
“Gracie.” It pops out of my mouth, and they both look at me. “Her father is a major sponsor,” I explain.
“Ah, that’s why she was there,” my father notes before perusing the board for his favorite cheese.
However, my mom takes it upon herself to wave her hand in the air. It grabs Gracie’s attention, and she seems to doubt that the attention is for her. She even searches around her for someone else, anyone else. Reluctantly, she says something to her brother who is in conversation with the staff. Gracie throws on a smile that only I would recognize as fake as she walks to our table. She has got to notice my face full of nerves because I feel my cheeks hurt and my body has a racing heartbeat.
“Hello,” she politely greets my mom.
“It’s good to see you again. You know, I forgot to tell you last time at the game that it’s a small world. I took your baby photo with your parents all those years back.”
Gracie seems surprised and strangely steals my attention because it feels like the twilight zone.
“What a coincidence.” Gracie laughs nervously deep in her throat.
“Do you have a few minutes? Sit with us. I would love to gush over your mom’s upcoming spring collection. I notice more designs are from you.”
Gracie’s eyes search mine for a clue of what to do, but mymom holds her friendly smile, and I know Gracie is too kind not to be courteous.
She swallows and returns the unnerving smile as she pulls out the spare chair. “They are. I only have a minute or two. I need to check on my cousins. They have a new horse.”
“I’m not one for horses.” My dad is a man who loves to sail; farm life isn’t for him.
Scooting my chair over, Gracie slowly sits down. I notice how tense she is, and her lips press tight as she still attempts to smile.
“How lovely that you are here,” Gracie says, making conversation.
My mom grabs the wine bottle on the table to top up her glass. “Always. It’s tradition, and my son managed to take some time to actually take part in holiday cheer.”
“Mother, you morph Christmas and Hanukkah together with a goal to outdo yourself on the creative front every year. Remember when you set up that elf along with this Mensch that always sat on a bench. You put them together on a beach in Hawaii, with sand on the kitchen table one holiday season?” I deadpan.
She waves me off. “You were ten and it was cute.”
Gracie tilts her head to the side and quirks her mouth as though she thinks it’s an adorable idea. “Sounds like my mom and dad. We had a dreidel drinking game the year I turned 21 and ended up playing pin the carrot on the snowman at two in the morning. Memorable, I guess.”
My mom glows with joy. “Another Chrismukkah family. I love it. See, Asher, relatable.” She winks at me, and I know what’s crossing her mind.
Gracie notices too. But the moment dies down, and an odd silence floats around us. It’s indescribable.
“Well, I’m sure you want to catch up withyour family, and I don’t want to keep you long.” I give her a route to escape.
She glances at me before returning her awkward smile to my parents. “Yes. Horses and cousins.” She swallows. “I’m sure I’ll see you a lot more.”Oh no. “I mean, at the games and all.” Maybe a save. “Not like there would be any other reason.” This doesn’t feel good. Gracie can ramble, and I fear we are entering that dangerous territory. “I’m pregnant.” It spills out of her mouth, and she immediately freezes from her own astonishment that the words just escaped her lips. “Did I really just say that?” she whispers to herself.
“Yep,” I confirm.
Well, here we are.
