Breakfast with Daniel and Lucy was great. Lucy did question why I was there. I guess Daniel explained it well enough to her. Friends helping friends when they are sick.
After breakfast, Lucy took a bath to ease her itching. Daniel and I cleaned up the breakfast dishes, and surprisingly, it wore me out.
Since we were supposed to all go to Mac and Emily’s house for Thanksgiving dinner, Daniel tried to figure out what to do. Chrissy offered to come over and cook, but Daniel declined. Maybe he didn’t want her day ruined too.
“Will you be OK here with Lucy while I run to the store?”
“Yes, but please don’t go out of your way for dinner. I’m not sure how hungry I’ll be.”
“It’s Thanksgiving, Nicole. I have a lot to be thankful for this year. It may not be a traditional dinner, but I’ll come up with something.”
He had a look of determination on his face. Serena was a damn idiot to give him up. Her loss is my gain, I guess. Well, not quite yet anyway. Is it May yet?
While Daniel is gone, Lucy and I discuss which movie we are going to watch. She is pretty excited for the holidays, so she picks out a Christmas movie.
Helping to get Lucy situated with her sleeping bag, I’m struck by just how much I care about her and Daniel. Could I really be falling in love with both of them?
Fuck. I need a reality check, and now.
“Lucy, are you OK for a minute while I call my sister and wish her a Happy Thanksgiving?”
“Sure. It’s time for my favorite animal show anyway,” she says as she snuggles into her sleeping bag.
Needing a little privacy, I make the call in Lucy’s room, which is right off the living room. I want to be close in case she needs me.
My sister is having dinner at my parents' house. Alex and I have a somewhat strained relationship with them. Don’t get me wrong, we love them, and they love us, but let’s just say, she and I didn’t turn out to be the perfect sons they wanted. I mean I have three brothers who are all in the military and when last two kids came out as girls, disappointment.
Daniel should be back soon, so I quickly dial my sister. She doesn’t answer, so I’m left to call my parents' landline. Yes, they still have one.
No one knows that I’m sick, and I’m going to keep it that way. For one thing, my sister will be on the next plane down here. She’s always been a little overprotective of me since my diagnosis.
My mom picks up on the third ring.
“Happy Thanksgiving, Mom.”
“Oh, Happy Thanksgiving, Nic.”
“What’s going on at the house? Is Alex there yet?”
“Yes. She’s helping me with the pie right now. Your dad is already napping on the couch, and he hasn’t even eaten yet.”
Picturing my dad, I chuckle to myself. He’s gearing up for all of the football today, I’m sure.
“What are you doing today, sweetheart?”
Trying not to scratch the shit out of my chicken pox. “Just going to enjoy the day with some friends.” It isn’t exactly a lie, right?
“Can I talk to Alex for a minute, Mom? I want to wish her a Happy Thanksgiving.”
“Sure, honey. Love you.”
“Love you too, Mom.”
I can hear my sister asking me to hang on because she has to wash her hands.
“Hey sis, Happy Thanksgiving.”
“Happy Thanksgiving, Alex. Um, can you go out of earshot of Mom and Dad?”
“Sure, hang on.”
I can hear her going up the wooden steps to the second floor. They creak, so unfortunately for Alex, she always got caught sneaking in late.
“OK, Nicole. I’m in my old room. What’s up?”
Blowing out a breath, I begin to tell her about my little problem.
“So I was supposed to go to Mac and Emily’s for dinner today, but poor Lucy got sick. I decided to stay with her and Daniel for dinner.” OK, so I’m lying by omission, but I’m not hurting anyone.
“OK, so that sounds nice, except for the sick kid part.”
“Well, it is. Maybe it’s too nice. Daniel and I made an agreement not to be anything more than friends until after Lucy moves on to first grade.”
“Are you telling me that you don’t trust yourself to hold out? Because I’ve got to tell you, I think you are crazy.”
“No, I mean yes. I trust myself, and Daniel too. It’s just that, I don’t know. I guess even if I’m not sleeping with him, I’m falling in love with him and his daughter.”
“Wow, well, that’s a tough one.” She laughs. “You know I’m not the best one to give you relationship advice, but I think you should be honest with him. Let him know how you are feeling. I mean, do you think he feels the same way?”
“Honestly? I have no idea, Alex. We are just supposed to be friends. How can I tell him that I’m falling in love with him?”
Waiting for Alex to answer, I hear the back door to the kitchen open.
“Shit, he’s back from the store. I have to go. Love you.” I hang up before she can even reply.