Unraveling (Second Chances) - By Micalea Smeltzer Page 0,98

could hear his joints pop and groan. He chuckled. “I’m not as young as I used to be, Katy. This old man is falling apart.”

“No, you’re not,” Jared said, leading me through the house, past the kitchen and into a large dining room.

The walls were a dark blue and the furniture was mahogany.

Jared pulled out a chair, motioning for me to sit down. I did and he scooted me in.

I smiled over at him as he took the seat next to me, beside Dan. Karlie sat across from me with Holden beside her. Patsy sat to my right.

We joined hands and Dan said grace.

“Dig in,” Dan said, when he was finished with the prayer.

We each took a dish, putting a little on our plate before passing it to the next person.

The amount of food was a bit overwhelming.

I dipped my turkey in gravy and bit into it. It was the most delicious thing I’d ever tasted. “Patsy, this is delicious,” I gushed.

“Thank you, dear,” she smiled, sipping a glass of wine.

“Eetsrawlyood,” Holden mumbled around a mouthful.

“What was that?” Patsy chuckled. “And please, chew with your mouth closed, dear.”

Holden cheeks colored and he swallowed. “It’s really good.”

“I’m glad you’re all enjoying it. Ready for seconds?” she looked at Jared’s almost empty plate.

“Almost,” he laughed, shoveling some mashed potatoes into his mouth. “I miss your cooking.”

“Then, you need to start visiting me more often,” she took a dainty bite of food.

Jared nodded, “I’ll get right on that, we’ll be here next Friday.”

Patsy laughed. “I just hope I can make enough to feed you. Are you not feeding yourself,” she asked as Jared started piling more food onto his plate.

“You know I feed myself,” Jared smiled lovingly at Patsy.

“I know,” Patsy nodded. “Sometimes it just tastes better when someone else makes it.”

“Exactly,” Jared pointed his fork at her.

“When are you going to grill again for us?” Dan patted his stomach. “That was the best burger I’ve ever had.”

Jared laughed. “Pop, we’ll talk about that when the weather warms up. It’s too cold to be outside, grilling.”

“Just put a jacket on,” Dan grumbled. “Then you won’t be cold.”

I found myself smiling at their familial banter. When I was home, Thanksgiving dinner had never been like this. First off, it was catered, my mom never cooked anything, and secondly, no one spoke. It was a silent affair in the Spencer household.

“Karlie, have you and Rodney gotten your routine for the Christmas recital figured out?” Patsy asked.

Holden growled when Patsy mentioned Rodney, but everyone pretended nothing had happened.

“Yeah,” Karlie shrugged. “We changed a few things around but we’re happy with it now. I can’t believe the show is in three weeks. We’ve been practicing non-stop. The bottoms of my feet are killing me.”

“Oh, I’m sorry sweetie. Maybe we should schedule you an appointment with a chiropractor,” Patsy said, spooning some more gravy onto her plate.

“It’s not that bad,” Karlie said. “Rodney massaged them for me the other day and they’ve felt better ever since. I’m used to the pain.”

“He. Did. What?” Holden growled turning his heated blue gaze to Karlie.

“You heard me, don’t play dumb,” Karlie snapped.

Jared chuckled. “Jeez, Holden, you’re even more over protective of her than I am.”

“Overprotective?” Holden’s brows furrowed. “Oh, yeah. Overprotective,” he muttered.

“It’s not that big of a deal, Sharky,” Karlie flipped her hair over her shoulder and out of her way. “We dancers have aches and pains; sometimes we have to help each other out with relieving the pressure.”

Holden grimaced and stood up quickly, his chair slamming into the wall. “Pie. I’m going to go get some pie. Anybody else want any?” he asked, already strolling from the room.

Karlie looked at me, clearly wondering what she had said to cause his reaction.

I shrugged. Holden was weird.

Holden came back in, carrying two different pies.

“Holden, dear,” Patsy said, “we’re not quite ready for the pie.”

Holden set them down. “Well,” he grumbled, sitting back down, “they’re here when we’re ready.” He pushed his plate away and I could sense Jared eyeing his friend.

Patsy cleared her throat and turned her attention to me. “Katy, what is it you’re majoring in?”

“I –uh- want to want to be a counselor,” I looked down at the table. “I want to help people.”

I looked up in time to see a smile grace Patsy’s face, her eyes and mouth crinkling at the corners. “That’s lovely, dear.”

“Thanks,” I said.

~***~

We finished our meal and had desert. Everything was delicious. I thought about asking Patsy to give me lessons. I’d always wanted