Page 56 of Broken Chords
“Even on Thanksgiving?”
“Dieting never takes a day off.”
Damian opens his mouth, but then closes it and shakes his head like he doesn’t even know how to respond to that. Finally he says, “That won’t happen here. My mom will heap food on your plate until you’re stuffed to the gills and literally can’t eat another bite.”
And he’s so right. I take modest helpings of each dish, which includes turkey, a pork roast, mashed potatoes, rice and beans, sweet potatoes, and cranberry dressing. Elisa encourages me to take more, “As much as you want” of each thing.
Marco does the same thing. “Eat! Eat!” he exclaims. “You’re too skinny.”
I laugh at that. Part of the reason I’m wearing leggings today is because my jeans are getting uncomfortably tight. My desire to overindulge in pancakes covered in berries and whipped cream and ice cream and anything that strikes my fancy is slowly curbing itself.
After Thanksgiving dinner is over, everyone sort of collapses in the living room, groaning about how full they are. The Latin music that’s been playing in the background of our conversation throughout dinner grows louder.
Hector claps his hands together, calling everyone’s attention. “Someone needs to clear the driveway and sidewalks. There’s about four inches out there now. And you all need to be able to leave eventually.”
“I’ll do it,” Damian surprises me by saying. “I need to do something to work off all that food.”
“You not planning on dancing later, Damo?” asks Marco.
That has my eyebrows raising as I look at Damian. “Dancing?”
He flashes me a grin and nods. “I told you I learned from my family.” He stands and nods to the door. “Come out with me. You said in the car that you’ve never really played in the snow. I’ll shovel, and you can make snow angels.”
I glance down at my leggings, heeled booties, and tunic top. “Um, I don’t think I’m dressed for making snow angels.”
“You can borrow snow gear,” Elisa interjects. She looks me up and down. “What size shoe do you wear? I’m sure we can find you something that’ll work for you.”
