reason for me to stay without them.”
That landed.
He didn’t enthusiastically agree.
I didn’t expect him to.
But every argument he might make eventually sounded like: Please continue making our lives easier at your expense.
As he stood to leave, he hesitated.
“Thanksgiving is next month.”
“Yes.”
“Rachel’s parents are coming.”
“I know.”
“We usually do it here.”
“I’ll still host.”
Relief crossed his face.
Then I added, “But it will be different.”
His expression tightened again.
“How?”
I smiled.
“You’ll find out.”
The next week, I sent a
