“How do you not starve?” he asked after taking a bite of his pizza.
I laughed as we watched the boys gorge themselves. “I cook. So, normally, I eat while I do so.”
“I take care of her, Eugene,” Kill answered, handing me a piece of pizza and a Diet Pepsi.
Martha gave me a knowing look.
My dad looked back and forth between Kill and me. “She needs someone to be good to her. Even though I know she can take care of herself. I raised her right, but it doesn't hurt to have help every now and then," he said, squeezing me.
I knew my dad too well. This was his indirect way of telling me he knew about Jason-maybe not all of it–and he trusted me and my decisions. After we finished dinner, the boys decided they were going to teach my dad how to play theRock Bandvideo game.
The girls followed me into the kitchen saying they wanted to help, even though they wouldn't be joining us. Denise was going over to her boyfriend’s house, and Ryan went over to Ray’s house every Thanksgiving. Jessie and Amy were coming over after the festival to spend the holiday and eat with us. Martha and I directed them in the kitchen with ease as we gave them different tasks.
Soon, we were in a groove, singing along with the boys and gossiping while the smell of Thanksgiving permeated the house.
Kill came in and tried to steal scraps of food, claiming he was starving, even though he’d just polished off half a pizza. I swatted him with a spatula and ordered him out of the kitchen. He kissed me on the forehead and walked out, passing my dad, who was attempting to steal food from Martha.
"Were you expecting anyone, Slick?" Kill asked from the living room when someone knocked on the door.
I shouted, “No,” out to him.
Kill went to open the door, and I stared curiously when he walked back into the kitchen full of tension. He was having a difficult time keeping his annoyance in check, but the tick in his jaw was a dead giveaway. He moved slightly, and Trent stood behind him. I couldn't hide the disbelief on my face when I saw him.
“Hi, Trent,” I said.
Amy and Jessie greeted him awkwardly. Jessie looked at me, mouthing silently asking why he was there. I had no idea, so all I could do was shrug.
I introduced Trent to Martha and reintroduced him to Denise and Ryan. Trent had met my dad a couple of times over the years. My dad, always the cop, could sense the tension in the room. He gave me his dad look that meant I would be answering some questions later.
“So, what brings you over here tonight?” Kill asked, putting his arm over my shoulder.
The gesture looked casual, but I knew it to be his subtle way of staking claim. I was relieved he took this approach instead of peeing all over me.
“I just wanted to wish you a happy Thanksgiving. I know we talked about you cooking dinner at the grocery store the other day. I wanted to see if you needed anything since I was on my way to the store,” Trent replied. His eyes narrowed slightly when Kill didn't budge from my side.
"Nope I have everything covered." I gestured to the kitchen bursting with food.
“Are you going to make it to the concert tomorrow? Or are you just coming for dinner?” Amy asked, not reading the room at all. She was oblivious, because she’d been too busy sucking on Jet’s tongue. I groaned inwardly, trying to keep my face as passive as possible.
“I don’t think I can make the concert, but I can definitely make dinner. I forgot to ask what time it was the other day.”
I mentally sent Amy a signal to shut the fuck up, but she must have had too much sugar in her system shielding her from my mental tongue lashing. "I'm not sure what time dinner will be."
I assumed most of the people in the room were also sending her signals to shut the hell up. She probably thought she was doing me a favor, because I’d told her I was making an effort to stay friends with Trent.
I sighed as I watched my perfect Thanksgiving fall apart.
“It’ll be later in the day. We’re one of the last bands to go on,” Kill answered. The tick in his jaw was working overtime.
“We'll text you when we're on our way over here,” Amy said helpfully.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Martha roll her eyes at how unmindful Amy was being.
“Sounds good. I need to get going. I have to finish a paper I’ve been putting off.” He waved goodbye to my dad and everyone else, saying he would see us tomorrow. He tried to come in for a hug, but Kill didn’t let go of me. Trent gave up his attempt, giving me a slight eyebrow raise. I could almost read his mind. His face asked me if I’d found myself in another controlling relationship.
Once Trent left, it took a while for the strain to dissipate from the room. Jessie quietly gave Amy a lecture in the living room.
"Leave her alone, Jess. She didn't know. I told her I was trying to mend my friendship with Trent."
"I didn't know I was making it weird, Faith. I'm sorry," Amy said, her eyes pleading with me.
"I know Amy. It’s my fault. I really need to grow a spine."
We finished everything that could be done. The boys had dubbed my dad their newest band member after he murdered their high-score onRock Band. Kill and I took them back to their hotel room so they could get some sleep before coming to the festival with us.