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“I’m originally from San Diego,California.”
Everyone oohs and aahs, and makesthe requisite joke about the change in the weather.
“I went to undergrad in Madisonbecause that’s where my dad had gone. We were big fans of thePackers and the Badgers when I was growing up.”
This scores me some major pointswith Roxie’s dad and brother.
“So, what do you do?” Mary asks,her eyes wide with anticipation.
“I am a patent lawyer, working forthe University intellectual property arm.”
Mary’s face falls, but she doesn’tsay anything.
Will, however, has no such qualms.“So you’re a lawyer, but you’re not rich, is what you’resaying.”
I laugh. “I do all right. I workedfor corporations on the West Coast until I moved here a few monthsago. I’ve always wanted to work for intellectual property at auniversity, to protect the creative work of the people who push theboundaries of science.”
Roxie considers me with warmth andsomething like pride in her eyes, a small smile on her lips. Thisis the most relaxed I’ve seen her since we entered her parents’home. I find and squeeze her hand under the table, as a littlecheck-in.
“It was actually meeting Roxie incollege that pushed me toward a combination of science and law. Iwas a poli-sci major before we met.”
“Sounds like she left quite animpression on you back then,” Sarah says and winks at Roxie.
“She sure did.”
Roxie blushes. She’s always sotogether, like nothing gets to her. But her family does, and Iremember I’m here to run interference.
I decide to change the subject.“So, do you fellows watch football over Thanksgiving? Dad and Isometimes did it when I was a kid.”
“Yes! Of course. I can’t believewe almost forgot,” Patrick says.
“It’s about to start,” says Will,looking at his phone.
“We can catch the second half,”Sam chimes in from the kiddie table, where he is holding a fidgetytoddler.
“We can’t watch now?” I ask.
Roxie leans toward me andwhispers, “Mom doesn’t like us to eat a full meal in the livingroom.”
“You guys make a mess and theneveryone carries food on their socks all over the house,” Mary saysloudly.
“But deserts are okay,” Roxieadds.
“Let’s turn it on in thebackground for now,” Sam suggests.
“We could watch the second half,”I say.
“Everyone hurry up!” Willurges.
“Don’t you dare just shovel in thefood I spent two days preparing,” Mary says in a low, bloodcurdlingvoice. Damn. Roxie’s mom is scary.
Will gets up and turns on the TVin the background. Everyone gets into their food, and I can feelRoxie relaxing next to me.
“You okay?” I whisper into herear.
“Yeah, I’m good,” she says.“Thanks for being here.”
****
