Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 115833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
“I know exactly who she is,” Mrs. Blake said, a wide smile claiming her lips. She moved closer to me and took my hands in hers. “You’re even more beautiful in person, sweetheart.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Blake. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”
“Girl, stop it! Call me Olivia.”
“Okay, Mrs. Blake.” I winked at her, and she chuckled. I’d call her Olivia one day, but not on my first day of meeting her. She deserved all my respect.
“Oh, I can tell I’m gonna have a lot of fun with her,” Mrs. Blake said. “Come inside, both of you! I’m finishing up with the turkey, then we can dig in.”
SIXTY-SIX
DEKE
As soon as I entered my mom’s house and walked around the corner, I spotted my sisters, Jack, and Elias in the living room. My sisters were sitting on one of the sofas with glasses of wine in hand, Jack had a beer, and Eli was on the floor doing a puzzle.
It was tradition not to have the TV on the day of Thanksgiving. My mom insisted that for one day of the year, we all focus on each other and not lose ourselves in the screens. Talking on the phone was limited too.
There was a time when she used to take our phones and store them in a basket, up until she realized we actually needed our phones for our jobs. Camille had missed a call from a client, and it’d cost her a massive delay. A hearing had to be rescheduled and everything. Since then, Mama gave a little leeway.
“Deke!” Whitney squealed as she hopped off the couch. She hugged me tight, and I hugged her back, laughing.
“What’s good, sis?” I asked, but she completely ignored me to hug Davina twice as hard.
“Davina, as pretty as ever.” Whitney grinned.
“I could say the same about you!” Davina returned. “I love your dress.”
Whitney did a little curtsy. “Why, thank you.”
Camille approached me as they chatted, wrapping one arm around me while her other hand kept the wineglass steady. “Hey, little brother,” she sighed over my shoulder.
“Hey, Mill.”
“Bringing girlfriends to Thanksgiving? That’s new.” She sipped her wine and looked from me to Davina, who was snickering at something Whitney was saying.
“Yeah,” I said, smiling. “Guess so.”
“How does it feel?” she asked.
“Good as hell.”
She shot me a wink.
“Hey, D, this is my sister, Camille. Camille, this is Davina.”
“Davina, hi! It’s so nice to meet the woman my brother never shuts up about,” Camille said, taking her hand.
“Come on, Mill! Don’t be like that!”
Davina wore a bashful smile. “Well, that’s good to know. It’s really nice to meet you, too, Camille. Deke talks about you all the time.”
My sister was instantly flattered, and that was all it took for Davina to reel her in. While they got acquainted, I greeted Jack (who gave me a hug that was too tight and too long), and Eli ran my way, hugging me around the waist.
“Uncle Deke, we shootin’ some hoops today?”
“I don’t know, nephew. After last night’s game, I’m kinda tired. You might get all the points today.”
Eli donned a proud grin. “Yeah, you’re right. It’s better if you chill today. Don’t wanna whip you too bad.”
I chuckled, watching him walk to the kitchen to find his grandma, but as I looked that way, I noticed someone standing near the dining area. My hand curled into a fist as I stared at him.
He looked different from the last time I’d seen him—then again, nineteen years did that to a person. He was pudgier, with a bit of a gut beneath his plaid button-down shirt. His hair was peppered with gray, and wrinkles were around his eyes and on his forehead, like he’d frowned so much they became permanent. His hands were buried in the front pockets of his jeans, but he took one out to wave at me.
It was Joshua Bishop. My father.
I swallowed, ignoring his wave and facing my sisters again.
“Behave, Deke,” Camille said, tapping my fist.
“Trying,” I muttered, loosening my hand.
I looked at Davina as she studied my dad briefly before fixing her eyes on mine. You okay? she mouthed.
I’m good.
“Let’s eat!” my mom shouted, placing the turkey on the center of the table.
I helped Davina settle in and took the seat beside her. My mom sat at the head of the table in the chair next to mine, Camille across from me and Eli between her and Jack. Whitney took the seat next to Davina, and at the other end of the table was my dad.
“How about a prayer?” Mama said, extending both her arms. I placed my hand in hers and started to reach for Davina’s until she pressed a hand to the top of my thigh to stop it from bouncing. Our eyes connected, and she gave me a warm smile before weaving her fingers through mine. Mama led us in prayer, and afterward we all dug in.