Grinning, I said, “Maybe today isn’t the right time to tell her.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Why not? You can’t keep putting it off,” she whispered. “It won’t be long before I start showing.” Then she pointed to her tits. “These are growing already. And I’m here for support.”
“They sure are,” I replied, my gaze dropping to her chest.
She snapped her fingers. “Focus. Let’s see how it goes. You’ll know when you have an opening.”
I doubted that. But I couldn’t put it off any longer. As Mazzie wound her way into the kitchen and dining area, I took a beat to collect myself then followed her.
Kaylee was carrying the rolls to the table. My mom was finishing up the potatoes.
I set the wine on the island then proceeded to finish cutting a few more pieces of turkey.
“Priscilla, how was your trip?” Mazzie asked. “Is Kurtis settled in rehab?”
“He’s not too happy about being in a rehab facility,” Mom said. “It reminds him of prison. But he knows if he wants to have a normal life, he needs to heal.”
Mazzie set the bowl of green beans on the table. “I hope my mom comes out a changed person. Her addiction is alcohol. So we’ll see what happens.”
As they continued to talk, I tuned them out for the moment as I silently practiced the opening of my speech.
With the food on the table, glasses filled with water, and my heart in my throat, we gathered around the table.
Mom took her seat at the head of the table, setting her napkin in her lap. “It’s so lovely to have guests this year.”
The turkey and all the fixings looked perfect, and I felt awful that I was about to shatter Mom’s cheerful day.
“Shall we say grace?” Mom asked but didn’t wait for an answer and recited a quick prayer.
I held Mazzie’s hand, which was clammy against mine, and she squeezed as if to say breathe.
Once Mom was finished, dishes clattered as we spooned food onto our plates.
“The stuffing is delicious,” Mazzie said amid the tension at the table.
Kaylee knew what we were doing today, and she was super quiet as she ate her food.
“Family recipe,” Mom replied. “Lucas’s grandmother was a great cook. She always said a good stuffing was the backbone of any holiday meal.”
I was shoveling turkey in my mouth, needing backbone right about now.
Mazzie nudged me with her foot. I guessed she thought this was my opening.
I eyed the game on TV for nothing more than to clear my head. Then I sat back. “Mom, Mazzie and I have something we’d like to tell you.”
As if Mom knew what was coming, she froze with her fork halfway to her mouth before she set it down with deliberate care.
“We’re…” I looked at Mazzie, drawing from her strength that injected me with motivation. “Mazzie is pregnant.” The second that was out of my mouth, I felt as though I’d dropped fifty pounds.
Mom’s face went completely blank, her hands shaking as she reached for her water glass.
Kaylee picked at a bread roll.
Mom’s gaze bounced between me and Mazzie then back to me. “Lucas… please tell me you’re joking.”
“I’m sorry, Mom.”
She pressed her fingers to her forehead. “You promised me you were being careful.”
