As Jensen lifted the turkey out of the oven, he asked, “Does anyone else here have experience with carving the bird? It’s not my favorite part of the process. I’m happy to turn this part over to another experienced hand.”

Cindi said, “I”m sad to report that in my family, carving the turkey is a job for the men. I’ve never done it at all. I’ve helped cut apart pieces of turkey after dinner but not carve it off the bird’s carcass.”

Jensen pointed the knife at Alec. The gesture elicited a vigorous head shake. Jensen said, “I guess it’s up to me. Does anybody prefer white meat or dark meat?”

Alec said, “I eat any of it, and damn, now I’m hungry. That smells and looks amazing. Are you sure Martha Stewart isn’t your mother?”

Les said, “You didn’t ask me about carving it, but I think that would be a little awkward. I like dark meat if it’s nobody else’s favorite.”

“I balance out Les,” said Cindi. “I’d prefer only white meat from the breast. I know that it’s supposed to be dry and bland and all, but I guess that’s the way I like it.”

Jensen remembered his father teaching how to carve a turkey when he was a teenager. He demonstrated how to position the knife and the long meat fork to get the largest, most even slices. As carefully as Jensen tried to follow the instructions, he always ended up with pieces of turkey that fell apart and created a platter full of turkey shreds.

Les said, “I guess I’d better start hauling myself to the dining room.”

“We shoved a small support under the table for your leg,” said Alec. “I think it will work, but you’ll have to check it out. It’s probably best to keep that leg up if you can.”

Jensen said, “If Cindi and Alec have it ready, it’s a good idea to head on in there. I only need to pull the rolls and green bean casserole out of the oven. I’ve already dished up both mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes, and the cranberry sauce is ready.”

Cindi grinned. “It’s a feast!”

Les sighed. “I wish there was Thanksgiving music like there’s Christmas music. We could sing something like, ‘Frederick, the Scared Little Turkey.’”

Alec laughed as he helped Les out of his chair.

Jensen felt like a smile was permanently plastered on his face. He began grinning ear to ear when he kissed Alec at his house, and the day only got better when they crossed the driveway together. Outside of relatives who were too far away to invite for dinner, Jensen’s three favorite people in the world were gathered for a sumptuous holiday dinner. He couldn’t imagine a better Thanksgiving.

Jensen heard the dishes rattling on the table. “What’s that?”

Cindi laughed. “Oh, it’s Les. He’s pounding his silverware on the table demanding turkey. I warned him that if he breaks any of your grandma’s heirloom dishes, there will be hell to pay. Those serving bowls are beautiful. I wish I had some like that.”

Jensen said, “I’m the only kid in my family interested in this stuff, and my mom was an only child. Everything got passed on to her when her parents died, and she sent a lot of it on to me. Les makes me laugh. I think you should take a photo of him with your phone so we remember this Thanksgiving.” As Jensen finished the comment, Alec stepped up behind him and kissed the back of his neck. “Oh, man, I”ll remember the feel of those lips for sure.”

Ten minutes later, everyone had plates loaded down with Thanksgiving treats. Cindi said, “I’ll probably gain five pounds today.”

Jensen added, “Remember, there’s pie for dessert, too.”

Les asked, “What are all of you complaining? I can’t even walk it off when we’re done.”

“I’ll let you do laps outside around the house with your crutches. That should burn calories very quickly.”

“Damn, you know how to hurt a guy. I think the doctors said I should take it easy, didn’t they? Hobbling on crutches on the frozen ground doesn’t qualify as easy.”

Jensen asked, “Alec, what did your family have for Thanksgiving?”

Alec sighed. “You don’t want to know. Holidays weren’t always the happiest events when I was a kid. My parents fought, and my brother was such a loser. I remember him high at Thanksgiving dinner fighting with my mom. It was a mess, but there was one good one. It’s the reason I like Thanksgiving.”

Cindi smiled. “Yeah, what was that?”

“Well, it was after my dad left. Mom started dating this guy on Halloween. She managed to hold it together through Thanksgiving, and he took us to a fancy restaurant to celebrate. They had a buffet, and it was probably the best Thanksgiving dinner I’ve ever eaten.”

Les coughed discreetly and pointed across the table at Jensen.

Alec smiled. “Oh, yes, it was the best except for today of course. Nothing can match this meal. Jensen, this turkey is awesome! I’m sincere about that. Your cooking is fantastic. You should be a chef if the counseling doesn’t work out.”

“Now you’re starting to lay it on a little thick.” Jensen turned to Cindi and asked, “Is there anything from your family’s traditions that we’re missing?”

“Deviled eggs. That’s one of my mom’s specialties. She usually made them the night before Thanksgiving so she could focus on everything around the oven and stove the next day. By the time dinner rolled around, at least half of the eggs were gone. We couldn’t resist.”

Jensen laughed. “That’s why I waited until today to finish everything. If I made something ahead, I think Les would have been in the kitchen digging into it at midnight. Why do you think I asked you to do the desserts?”

“Hey, a man gets hungry in the middle of the night! It’s not my fault. I’ve got a high metabolism rate.”

Jensen said, “I think that leg covered with the cast is hollow. I don’t know where you put it. You never seem to gain any weight at all.”

“That’s why I go to the gym. I’m worried about what’s going to happen while I’m off my feet. I’ll be a blimp after all of this incredible food you cook for me. This is a warning, Alec. His cooking is dangerous.”

Jensen said, “I could stop cooking and buy frozen dinners for you.”

Les shook his head as he swallowed a bite of turkey with gravy. “I’m not complaining. I’m only stating the facts. I’ll live in the gym if necessary when all is said and done. I can roll out my sleeping bag next to the free weights. I’m envious of Alec when I think about your food.”

Alec laughed. “I’m not moving in…at least not yet.”

Cindi smiled. “I noticed the word ‘yet.’ I think the two of you are already one of the most adorable couples I know. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for the future.”

As the plates shone clean around the table, Alec patted his belly and said, “I’m not sure that I can fit in a piece of pie. Should we wait?”

Les said, “No! I’ve waited the whole meal for a taste of pecan pie. I cleaned my plate. I think pie is my reward. I’ve not had pecan pie since I drove on that crazy four-day trip with Jensen to Florida. I think we spent two-thirds of the time in the car, but the food was great.”

Alec rubbed his belly and sighed. “Okay, I’ll figure out a way to pack it in.”

Jensen grinned. “Maybe you should go outside and jog a few laps around the house.”

“I’ll do that if you go with me. It’s a little chilly out there for a jog.”

Jensen said, “Thanks anyway, but I’ll be okay without it.”

Cindi rose from the table. She collected the plates and asked Alec to assist. “I can’t carry all the dessert plates at once. Has everyone picked out which kind of pie they want?”

Jensen said, “Unless someone doesn’t like one of the kinds, I suggest we each have a small piece of both pies.”

Everyone nodded in agreement. As Alec joined Cindi, he asked, “Should I take the topping to the dining room? I’ve got something I want to do.”

“With that?”

“Uh huh. I can’t resist.”

Cindi turned to watch Alec carry the tub to the dining room. He dipped a finger into the whipped topping and leaned over Jensen to place a dollop on the tip of his nose.

Jensen grumbled, “Hey, what’s that about? I didn’t do anything.”

“I did it so that I can do this.” Alec chuckled as he licked the cool topping from the end of Jensen’s nose.

Cindi sighed. “You two are too cute.”

Jensen said, “Maybe you need to find a man. He’d be lucky to have you, Cindi.”

Les suggested, “You could find twins and give one to me.”

Cindi carried two of the plates to the dining room. “When I see the two of you, I do think about it, but I’m pretty good on my own right now. I have plenty to keep myself busy. I already told you about that. I go out with my friends about three nights a week, and then I have the occasional dinners here. It’s a good life, and I don’t have room to pack something else into it right now.”

Les said, “He’s waiting around the corner then. That’s when you find him. It happens when it’s the least convenient.”

Cindi smiled. “You’re probably right about that.”

Jensen said, “I have to agree that it’s a good life.”

“It will be better when I can walk again,” said Les.

Alec added, “And my life is looking up. This year has been rough overall, but I think the sun might be rising at last.”

Jensen took a bite of his slice of pecan pie. “Oh man, this is great. You said this is your mom’s recipe, Cindi?”

“It’s an old family one. It’s my grandma’s. I’m glad you like it.”

“I think you spiked it with something, and I like that little bite.”

Les sighed. “Oh great, we’ll all get drunk on our pie.”

Cindi laughed. “There’s not enough of it for that, but yeah, I like that touch, too. It’s Kentucky bourbon. That’s where grandma’s family came from. ”