Les sat on a chair in the kitchen with his cast-covered leg propped up on a second one. He sipped a mug of hot tea and said, “You know, I would love to give you more help with this dinner, but I’m a little incapacitated. That turkey smells delicious. It’s making me hungry already.”

Jensen placed three cans of cranberry sauce and four cans of green beans on the table. Next, he added a can opener. “You’re not as helpless as you think you are.”

“Aww, man, do I have to open the green beans? I hate green beans. I don’t want to look at them.”

Jensen added two cans of cream of mushroom soup. “I don’t know for sure, but I bet that Cindi likes green bean casserole. You’re the only person I know who doesn’t like it. You can open these soup cans, too.”

Les started to crank the opener on the first can. “Do you think we need a whole turkey? There’s only three of us. We’ll have leftovers for a week.”

“We’ll have extras for turkey sandwiches, turkey and noodle soup, and turkey tetrazzini. It’s the best part of Thanksgiving. I love the leftovers.”

“Tetra-what? Is that one of those foul casserole things? I think they made it in the school cafeteria. I always tried to get myself invited over to a friend’s house for dinner on days that I knew my mom was making a casserole.”

Jensen shook his head as he opened the oven door and pulled the turkey partway out. “Casseroles can be tasty. You’re stuck here for a couple of weeks. You’ll love my tetrazzini. Trust me.”

“You said that about the seared green beans, too.”

As he basted the turkey in the roasting pan, Jensen said, “I can’t have Thanksgiving without a real, whole turkey. Those breasts you can buy aren’t the same thing. You’ll love this turkey once it’s on the table. I guess this is our first Thanksgiving dinner together with all the trimmings. You usually go to the relatives. That accident stuck a wrench in those plans.”

“Oh, I have no doubts about how great the turkey will be. I’m only thinking of you, my friend. It’s a lot of work.”

Jensen woke up at 4:30 a.m.. He set his alarm clock for 5:00, but holidays were exciting. He always woke up early. With Les still sound asleep, Jensen crept downstairs and continued the preparations for Thanksgiving dinner that he started the night before. Back in September, he planned to visit his parents for the holiday, but then he kissed Alec, and Les had his car accident. Alec wasn’t on the list of guests, but Les was captive to his cast and crutches. He couldn’t travel for at least another week.

Les complained. “Damn, my hand’s starting to hurt from cranking this opener, and I’ve still got four cans to go. You need to get one of those electric ones that you mount under the counter. That’s what my mom uses.”

Jensen pushed the turkey back into the oven. “I think you can manage it. You’re a big, strong boy. Electric can openers are about as necessary as an electric stovetop which is not necessary at all.”

“Says the man without a can opener in his hand.”

“We’ve got a couple of hours left to go, but Cindi should be here soon. I’ll make another mug of tea for myself. How are you doing?”

Les sipped. “I’m fine. I’m trying to take it slow because tea goes right through me, and bathroom visits are the least fun part of my day.”

“Is it that bad?”

“Let’s just say I sit down because I’m not as likely to make a mess that way, and sitting on a toilet with this thing on my leg isn’t the easiest thing in the world to do.”

As Jensen started to say that he didn’t need to hear any more details, the doorbell rang. He said, “That must be Cindi! I can’t wait to see what she made for dessert.”

“I’ll sit here and wait. I’m sure she’ll understand if I don’t greet her at the door. You buried me in can-opening labor.”

As Jensen opened the door, Cindi called, “Happy Thanksgiving!”

“Come on inside, and leave the cold weather out there.” Jensen looked down at the two pies Cindi held in her hands.

“I brought one pumpkin and one pecan. That’s tradition in my family. I’ve also got a tub of fake whipped cream below the pumpkin one. I know you’re all about everything from scratch, but this is part of the tradition in my family, too.”

Les called from the kitchen, “I love fake whipped cream!”

Cindi swept through the living room and entered the kitchen and carefully set the pies on a small section of empty countertop. “And Les, it’s great to see you again! I’m so sorry about your leg.” She leaned over and hugged him.

Les sighed. “I guess shit happens. I still don’t remember all the details of what went down, but the doc promises the leg will be almost as good as new. He said I might not be able to do Olympic-level sports events with it, and then he added that I wasn’t going to do them anyway.”

Cindi laughed. “Oh, that’s funny.” She stepped up to the oven and asked, “Can I take a peek at the bird?”

Jensen said. “Oh, of course. I can use a little help setting the table, too, if you don’t mind. Les is a bit useless for that.

Cindi kneaded Les’s shoulders. “I’m sure that he would be a big help if he could. He can save all of that energy up for next year.”

“I’m not sure Les is ever that energetic.”

Les laughed. “Jensen knows me far too well. Did you make those pies from scratch? They look amazing. I’m already confused about which one to try. Maybe I can snag a small piece of both.”

“I’m sure we can manage that. It sounds like a good strategy. I used my grandma’s recipes, and yes, they are from scratch. These aren’t the most difficult pies in the world. There’s no top crust. The recipe said always to use cans of pumpkin and then add our own spices. We never use canned pumpkin pie filling.”

Jensen sighed. “And then you top it with that whipped stuff?”

Les said, “You can make real whipped cream if you want. I’m sure Cindi and I won’t stand in your way. I won’t stand at all.” He snickered at his own joke.

Jensen asked, “Cindi, can you toss the things together for the green bean casserole? Les opened the cans. We need to get it in the oven, and I’ll get moving on the mashed potatoes. I hope you like green bean casserole.”

“With the crispy onions on top? I love it. My parents have it every year. I wish they could be here, but I’m sure they’re having fun in Florida. It’s warm down there. My mom told me they are seriously considering fish instead of turkey this year. My dad loves to go out in charter fishing boats, and he had some great catch lately. She said the fish would be delicious, and it would be healthy, too.”

Les asked, “Are they retired?”

“No, but my dad wishes that he could retire even though he’s only 57. They moved down there five years ago. He got transferred to a new job. I’ve gone there for Thanksgiving, but I decided to stay home this year. I was so happy that Jensen invited me. By the way, isn’t somebody missing?”

“Missing? We’re all three here.”

“Where’s Alec?”

Les sighed. “He’s not here because, as much as I love Jensen and hate to say bad things about him, my best friend here is an ass sometimes.”

Jensen turned around to face away from the stovetop. “Hey, now. Wait. I tried to call next door after we had this discussion, and he didn’t answer the phone.”

Les said, “He wasn’t home. You told me that. You thought he wasn’t home. What’s the reason for today.”

With a petulant glare on his face, Jensen said, “He hasn’t contacted me either.”

“Yeah, maybe he’s having the same stupid thoughts as you are. I think you’re probably both acting ridiculous.”

Cindi stepped between them and held her hands up. “Now, hang on. It’s Thanksgiving, and I’m not with my family, so that means we can’t argue and fight like my mom and sister do. I want to hear more of this sometime, but I think Alec probably should be invited. That’s the important point right now. His car is in his driveway.”

Jensen said, “He’s not been the same since Les got hurt. I’m not sure where we are in the relationship now.”

Les asked, “Can I interrupt here? I think that statement needs a rebuttal.”

“Go right ahead. Jensen got his say.”

“Thanks. I think Jensen has been distant, and he’s avoiding something. I don’t know what it is, but I’m not sure Alec’s had a chance. I think that’s sad.” Les folded his arms across his chest.

Cindi turned toward Jensen. He opened and closed his mouth twice without saying anything. Finally, he spoke. “Okay, yeah, maybe it’s me, and I’m a little spooked. What we had was intense, and when that happens, the very few times that happened to me, I freak out a little. Shit, I can’t believe I’m saying this. I don’t need to defend myself.”

Cindi offered a hug. “Aw, honey. Alec’s something special. Go on. Tell us what’s up.”

Jensen held on to Cindi. “Yeah, I’ve got a bad track record with relationships. They all come to an end before I want them to. My record is six weeks. We have all the excitement, and then it’s over. I don’t know if I can go another round with Alec like that night and face it ending. Not with him living right next door.”

Les smiled. “You know, that’s kind of sweet. That’s a whole lot more than you told me, and it makes a little bit of sense. Still, I don’t think it’s a good excuse to avoid inviting Alec. He might be different. Maybe he’s the one to change your luck.”

Cindi said, “I agree with Les. Alec is such a sweetheart. He’s had a rough life, but damn, he’s survived all of it. I’m amazed when he starts telling stories. He took care of his mom after she was so awful when he was young. He’s a very good man, Jensen. You’re fortunate. Get on the phone or go next door. I can’t stand the idea of Alec over there by himself on Thanksgiving.”