After they ate and Jon had offered to clean up the kitchen, Kyle called his dad. They caught up on what had happened in the past week, then their conversation moved to their upcoming Thanksgiving visit.
“Yes, Dad,” Kyle said on the FaceTime call. “We’re getting in on Wednesday, and we’ve rented a large SUV. We’ll pick it up at the airport. There’s really no other way. Since Neil is joining us, there’s just not enough room for Wyatt’s car seat if you come to get us at the airport.”
“I understand, son. I’m just used to picking you up at the airport. It’s gonna feel weird.”
At the sound of his grandfather’s voice, Wyatt yelled, “Hi, Pa!” whilevroominga toy car on the living room carpet. He abandoned the car and sat near Kyle on the sofa.
“Hi, buddy!” Ben said. “You’re gonna come see Papa and me soon.”
“Turkey Day,” Wyatt replied.
“Yup,” Ben agreed. “For Turkey Day.”
“Okay, Dad, I’ll let you go, but we’ll see you in a few days. Love you.”
“Love you too, son.”
It was almostdinnertime when Kyle, Jon, Wyatt, and Neil arrived at Ben and Rob’s home. Matthew and Sam were also there for a pre-Thanksgiving dinner together. Matthew and Neil were heading to New Hampshire in the morning to spend Thanksgiving Day with Matthew’s family, but they would meet the guys in Hawthorne Bluff on Friday.
“How do you feel about this interview, Kyle?” Sam asked over their meal of cottage pie and salad.
“Good. I did a Zoom call with Finn and the head of the financial services division last week. Winston Tomlinson seems like a really nice guy, and he seemed excited about the prospect of hiring me.” Kyle had an interview scheduled for ten thirty Friday morning. Jon had been back to Massachusetts the previous month for an in-person interview at the law practice in Plymouth. They offered him a job on the spot, understanding that he wouldn’t be available until sometime in late March.
“And I got a text from Sarah yesterday. She has another house she wants us to see, so we have an appointment with her on Saturday,” Jon told them all. “Maybe this is the one.” Theyhad seen one house, and Ben and Rob had looked at two others for them, but so far, none of them had felt right.
“That’s fantastic!” Rob said, clearly excited. “It’s all coming together.”
“And you’ll be getting your first look at Hawthorne Bluff,” Ben said to Neil and Matthew.
“Yeah, we can’t wait,” Matthew replied. “After everything we’ve heard about it so far, we’re anxious to see it for ourselves.”
“I told Matthew that he should look for a storefront and open a second Artistic Alchemist shop,” Neil told the group.
“I said I’d keep an open mind, but I haven’t really committed to anything yet,” Matthew added.
“Fate might yet play a role for you,” Ben said.
Sam joinedthe guys for Thanksgiving dinner, arriving early with the makings for mimosas and a pumpkin pie. After a brunch of a sausage-and-egg casserole and fruit salad, Sam retired to the family room with Wyatt while the guys cleaned up the kitchen. Then Ben and Rob proceeded to shoo Kyle and Jon out, telling them to relax while they put the finishing touches on dinner.
Several hours later they enjoyed a superb feast of roast turkey, dressing, potatoes, vegetables, and of course, cranberry sauce.
After dinner, Kyle was dozing next to Wyatt on the sofa in the family room when Jon said, “I think it’s time I put both of these guys down for a nap.” Kyle chuckled but went along willingly.
Kyle wokebefore his alarm went off. Seeing that Jon was still fast asleep, he crept out of the bedroom and down the stairs, enticed by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. In the kitchen, he found his dad sitting at the island, scanning something on his iPad.
“Morning, Dad.” Kyle kissed his father’s temple, then reached for a cup sitting beside the coffee maker.
“Hey, son,” Ben replied. “How are you doing today?”
“I’m good,” Kyle said, not really feeling it.
“What’s wrong?” Ben asked, voice laced with concern. “I can tell something’s off. It’s not the interview, is it? I’m sure you’ll do fine.”
Kyle sat and looked at his father. “Are we doing the right thing? Moving, I mean. Uprooting Wyatt yet again after all he’s been through in the past year?” Kyle shook his head. “I dunno. Sometimes it just seems like it’s all too much. I want to make sure he’s okay.”
“I understand that it can all seem overwhelming, but I think you’re doing great,” Ben told him. “You’re right that Wyatt has been through a lot, but he seems to be adjusting to everything just fine. He’s not withdrawn at all. In fact, he’s become more outgoing the bigger he gets. I’d say you and Jon are doing everything that parents should be doing for their child.”
“Thanks, Dad. That means a lot coming from you.” Kyle’s shoulders dropped, and relief flooded his face. “I always thought that if I became a dad someday, I’d have more time to prepare. All this happened so quickly, but I know that I’d do anything to keep Wyatt safe and happy.”
