for Thanksgiving,” Ruby Grace said to Mom as she helped clear the table. “And for having it a little earlier in the day on my behalf.”
“Are you kidding?” Mom asked, stacking plates. “I’ve been the only woman at this table for years. It was a blessing to have someone else to help wrangle these heathens.”
“Hey,” Logan said with mock offense.
“Besides, you’re family now,” Mom continued, pausing long enough to smile at Ruby Grace genuinely. “And we’re all so proud of you for chasing your dream.”
My heart swelled at that, because it was true. My brothers had adopted Ruby Grace like she was the sister they never had, and Mom was happier than I had seen her in years when Ruby Grace was around — even if it was just for dinner or an after-church lunch. She hadn’t just filled my life with light and love, but my entire family’s. And now, on my favorite holiday, it was almost impossible to fend off emotions watching her clear the table with my mom.
Today was the day Ruby Grace would start her drive across the country to serve her first full-year term in AmeriCorps.
It was hard to believe the day had finally come, that in less than an hour, my girl would slide into the driver seat of her loaded-up convertible and head out west to Utah. My chest had been tight all day with the effort it took to fight off tears, but I swore to myself that I wouldn’t cry — no matter how much I would miss her.
Because this was her dream, and I stood by my word that I’d help her achieve it.
“Are we excused?” Mikey asked from the end of the table.
An uncomfortable hush fell over the family, and Mom glanced at me and Jordan before she smiled at her youngest son. “I was going to get the pie.”
“I don’t want any.”
Mom nodded, her eyes worried and sad. “Oh. Okay, then. Yes, you’re excused.”
Mikey didn’t say another word, just shoved back from the table, the legs of his chair scraping against the wood before he stood and pushed it back in. He was down the hall and shutting the door to his bedroom before any of us even looked up again, and he didn’t say a word to any of us — not even Ruby Grace, who he knew was leaving.
He hadn’t said a word all day.
I sighed, reaching over to squeeze her hand. “Forgive him. He’s still not okay after the whole Bailey thing…”
“It’s okay,” she assured me, squeezing my hand back.
Just like we had all feared, Bailey ended up taking the record label in Nashville up on their offer earlier than she’d promised. And, along with that change, she’d also broken up with Mikey. She’d told them it wasn’t forever, it was just for a while, so she could focus on her music.
But to Mikey, it was the ultimate betrayal.
He hadn’t been the same since then, and where he usually showed his emotions willingly, opened up to us and let us help, he had shut down completely at this. Since that cold, rainy day in October when she landed the blow, my little brother had been a zombie version of the kid who existed before.
I hoped we’d get him back soon.
Jordan and Logan finished clearing the table as Ruby Grace and I did the dishes, and once the chores were done, we all gathered one last time for pie and wine. The time passed too quickly, and before I was ready, we were all standing on the porch saying our goodbyes to the woman I loved.
Jordan gave Ruby Grace the first hug — along with a AAA card he’d set up without telling any of us. “For emergencies,” he told her gruffly. She smiled and thanked him, giving him one last hug before he moved out of the way to let Logan in next.
“Stay safe, and have fun,” he said, wrapping her up in a hug. “And for God’s sake, try to call home at least once a day so I don’t have to watch my brother mope around without you here.”
I punched his arm.
Ruby Grace chuckled, giving me a knowing smirk. “I promise, I’ll text him an annoying amount in an effort to avoid that very thing.”
“Thank you,” Logan said, pressing his hands together in mock prayer as his eyes floated up.
“And you have fun with your new trainee,” she said, lifting one brow at Logan. “I heard she’s quite the firecracker.”