A groggy reporter stopped us by stepping in front of the car as we tried to exit the apartment building garage. Eric rolled the window down and growled, “There is a plane to catch. We can’t talk now. I don’t usually run people over, but I think you need to get out of the way.”

Something in Eric’s expression convinced the reporter that he was serious because the man backed away slowly saying, “Thank you. Yes, I understand.”

Eric laughed as we drove to the airport. He said, “I don’t think I’ve ever scared anyone away like that. They always think I’m so sweet and nice.”

I said, “I know you’ve got a steely backbone. I think the reporter figured that out when he looked at you. I admire you for that.” I paused for a moment, “Do you think this will work? I’m worried that it’ll all blow over, and then all of the other guys will laugh about us in spring training.”

“I don’t know what’s going to happen. At first, it was a cute, bittersweet video, and I understood people wanting to see it. Now it’s a cause, and something is happening, but I don’t know what. I think the owners have to respond somehow, don’t you?”

I nodded and switched the subject. I said, “I’ll miss you tomorrow at Thanksgiving dinner. You are going to Atlanta, right?”

Eric said, “I’m hitting the road this afternoon. You gave me your family’s landline number. I’ll call it when I get to my parents’ place.”

“Good. I want to hear from you, but the cell phones are nuts right now.”

After we hugged, as he was saying goodbye, Eric said, “This is our last Thanksgiving apart. I can feel it.”

I said, “I feel it, too. I love you, Eric.”

My face flushed, and I turned beet red when one of the flight attendants led the passengers on the plane in a round of “Together now!” chanting.

My seat partner, an older gentleman, said, “I’ve been a baseball fan for a long, long time. I think this might work. It’s extraordinary. The sports world hasn’t seen anything like it, and it’s a chance for them to bring fans back to the stadiums in droves. They could have a windfall in ticket sales for a couple of months at least.”

I thanked him for his support and then asked if he could let me sleep. I closed my eyes and managed to get some rest during the remainder of the flight to Indianapolis. I didn’t know what to expect when we arrived, but I gritted my teeth as the plane hit the runway. I prepared myself to face anything.

Fortunately, the airport was relatively quiet. A couple of reporters tried to corner me as I exited the concourse, but my family refused to let him disrupt our reunion. Sam stepped in front of one of them and reached out to hug me. He subtly pushed the reporter out of the way with his bony elbow.

My teenage brother was tall and lanky. He was almost as tall as me and thin like Eric. He had stylish hair bleached blonde and a million-dollar smile. He said, “It’s so good to see you, big brother!”

“You, too!” I reached out one of my arms and gathered Lily in for a three-way hug. I said, “I’m happy to be home! Life is crazy down in Charlotte.”

As the hug broke up, Sam said, “Well, you’re part of the way home. It’s still a long drive down to the hills from here. Also, I think Dad has some news to tell you. He swore Lily and me to silence until he could talk to you.”

I stepped up to my mom and dad and offered them a three-way hug. Mom said, “We love you so much, Harley,” as I hugged them as tightly as possible.

After sharing the warm greeting, I stepped back and asked, “Do you have some news for me, Dad? What’s it about?”

He asked, “Did you hear any news on the plane? The story came out while you were in the air. It’s a big thing, so I thought there was a chance someone might find out on your flight.”

I wrinkled my brow and shook my head. “No, I haven’t, but the passengers shouted a round of, ‘Together now!’ on the plane. I’m sure you all saw that chant on the morning show yesterday when Chase got the crowd riled up.”

Sam piped up and said, “Your boyfriend Eric is seriously cute. You’re so lucky. I watched that, and your friend Chase is hot, too. I think I might need to find myself a baseball player.”

Dad sighed and rolled his eyes at Sam. His gesture made me laugh. He said, “I’m happy to be the one to break the news.”

I looked from one face to the next. They were all staring back at me waiting for my response to whatever Dad had to say. I hoped it was good news, and I hoped it would lead to a grand Thanksgiving celebration.

Dad said, “Your boyfriend Eric is staying in Charlotte.”

My mouth dropped open, and I was speechless. I tried to ask for clarification, and no sound came out. Sam said, “I think he wants to know more details.”

Dad said, “The league owners made a special announcement right before we left home to drive up here to the airport. The Charlotte Yellowjackets are buying Eric’s contract back. They said this didn’t change any league rules at least for now, but the owners wanted to emphasize that they considered this a special situation. You’ll both be playing for Charlotte next year.”

I grinned and tried to sound disappointed. “Damn, I won’t get center field.” The mood didn’t hold as my mouth curled up into a smile.

Mom laughed, and Sam said, “Like that’s the most important thing to you.”

I reached out for one massive Donaldson family hug and said, “Dad, that’s the best news you could have shared. This will be the most thankful Thanksgiving I’ve ever known!”

I turned on my cell phone just long enough to have a brief conversation with Eric on the drive down to the hills. He called the next day about an hour before the turkey was done in the oven. Mom answered the landline. She was flummoxed and barely able to talk. She said, “Yes, he’s right here, and it’s so good to talk to you, too. Harley needs to bring you to Indiana for Christmas.”

Her comment clarified that it was Eric on the phone. I nearly shouted when I said, “I love you! How are you?”

He said, “Turn the cell phone on again. I think the reporters will take Thanksgiving day off. I sent you a few photos, and I want some from you.”

I fired up the phone and ignored the long list of voicemail and text messages other than those from Eric. He sent pictures with his parents and one with the pastitsio. I gathered my family together in the kitchen and took a selfie to send back to Eric. I added a text message asking if Rudy was in Atlanta.

Eric’s message said,

I smiled, and Lily pushed up close to read over my shoulder. She said, “I want to meet Rudy!”

I wrapped an arm around her waist and said, “Oh, you will. Don’t worry about that. You will meet Rudy and Eric both sometime soon.”

I was surprised that our dinner table didn’t sag in the middle with the massive amounts of food it held. Mom prepared everything from the roasted turkey to cranberry sauce and green bean casserole. Dad led us in prayer, and he asked each of us to say something that made us thankful. On my turn, I said, “I”m thankful for everyone in my life. I’m the luckiest guy on the face of the earth.”