“Okay. I just need to blanch the beans. Sit down. I’ll serve you like a proper little wifey.”
Wifey. Pleasure surges through me. I send a text to give the ten-minute warning, light the candles, and hope I don’t fall apart from nerves and give myself away.
Molly walks in holding a tray with two little golden hens surrounded by rosemary sprigs.
“Why Miss Molly Malone,” I say. “I can’t believe you’ve been hiding your poultry-cooking ability all this time.”
“A lady has to have her secrets.”
She carries out the rest of the food, and I snatch the bottle of pinot she opened and pour us each a glass. And that’s my cue.
Time to change our lives.
Let’s fucking do this.
“Before we begin,” I say, “let’s say what we’re grateful for.”
She smiles. “You and your gratitude lists.”
“Hey! It’s Thanksgiving! If ever there was a day for gratitude lists—”
“Okay, okay, you start.”
“Well, first and foremost, I’m grateful for airplanes, because they take me to see you,” I say.
She rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling. “Very creative.”
“Gratitude is not a creative writing assignment. It’s a mindfulness practice.”
She nods likeyeah yeah.
“May I go on?”
“Please.”
“I’m grateful to N95 masks for keeping us safe when we travel to meet each other. I’m grateful for frequent flier miles, which keep us from going broke. I’m grateful for beds, perfect for—”
“Okay, Casanova. I get it. You’re grateful for sex and travel.”
“Sex and travel withyou,” I clarify.
“Are you done?” she asks.
“I’m just getting started.”
“Of course you are.”
“I’m grateful for the national park system,” I say, “for giving me an adventure with my woman. I’m grateful for cholla cacti, for making her eyes light up like a kid’s. I’m grateful for sauvignon blanc, because of the way it makes you agree to dance with me, even though, I will admit, you are terrible at it.”
“Is this a roast?”
“Only a little bit. To keep you honest.”
“Is it my turn now?”
“Nope. I’m grateful for cabins in little lake towns, where I spent some of the happiest days of my life. For high school reunions, for giving me a second chance with you. For all the wrong relationships that made me see this is the right one.” My voice cracks a little. I’m getting emotional, but I’m determined to get through this without crying.
Molly’s face has grown tense. She’s watching me intently.
