“Right!”
Soon, the entire family joined them.He met her sister, Irene, and her mother, Nancy, while he showed her brother and father the bike.Eventually, they all went back inside.
“Where is your family, Jerry?”Tobias asked.
“Uh, South Dakota, sir.”
“That’s right.You said that.Is that where your people hail from?”
He nodded.“My mother.My father’s family originally came from South Carolina.”
Tobias nodded.“Big Scottish settlements in the Carolinas.”
“Yes, sir.But my grandfather was career Army, as was my father.So, I’ve never actually lived in South Carolina.We just used to go there when we were close enough to drive down for holidays.”He accepted a glass of iced tea from Olive and sat next to her on the couch.“What about you?Where are you from?”
“I was born in Belfast, but my parents moved to Alabama in 1975.My mother’s Catholic, and my father was Protestant.It made for a rather dangerous situation at the time.”
“The Troubles,” Freddy said in a perfect Irish accent.His father gave him a scolding look.
Olive interjected, “How’s the turkey, Daddy?”
“Your mom’s about to get it out.”
Olive stood.“I’ll get the platter for her.”Irene followed her out of the room, leaving him with Freddy and Tobias.
“Olive tells me you’re a preacher.Did your mom stay Catholic?”Jerry asked.
Tobias gave a small shrug.“She wanted us raised Protestant.I don’t think she ever converted per se, but she was very active in our church lives.And she loves the Lord.”
Freddy held up the remote.“You guys care if I turn the game on?Auburn’s playing”
Jerry shook his head.“Of course not.”
“War Eagle!”Olive shouted from the kitchen.
Jerry enjoyed watching Olive move and talk within her core family.At first, she seemed a little nervous, a little tense.By the time the delicious meal of smoked turkey and all the trimmings had disappeared, followed by pies and coffee, she had relaxed, and her laughter sounded lighter, her conversation more ready.
They cleared the table and played dominoes for hours.Jerry had never enjoyed a Thanksgiving so much.They laughed and teased each other, tripping over one another as they shared anecdotes and stories, and constantly affirmed each other.By the time the afternoon ended, Jerry felt as though they had folded him into the fabric of their family.
Olive walked him to his bike, giving them the chance to share a moment alone for the first time that day.
“I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this,” he said, slipping his leather coat on.He gave in to the impulse and reached out to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear.“But I have to go to work now.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and looked up at him.“I’ll admit that I asked you on an impulse and immediately wished I hadn’t.”
He let go of her hair and rested his hand on her shoulder.With a raised eyebrow, he asked, “Oh?”
Red covered her cheeks.“I wanted to see you, but I didn’t want to sign you up for the whole Duncan family experience.”
“I had a wonderful time.You have an amazing family.I’m honored that you gave in to your impulse and shared today with me.”
A slow smile spread across her face.“Honored?I like that.”She looked down, then back up.“I’m happy, too.”
He brushed a finger down her cheek, then swung his leg over and straddled the bike.“Enjoy your folks.”He pulled the helmet down over his face.His voice muffled, he said, “See you Sunday.”
After handing her father the turkey platter, she sank into the kitchen chair and yawned.He stood on the step stool and set it in the cupboard above the refrigerator.
“And, that’s the lot,” he said, draping the dishcloth over the edge of the sink.
