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He was born in Park Slope, which is vastly different from Crown Heights, where Joe lived as a child. But it’s clear that they both love the city they call home and in minutes, the skeptical, slightly mistrustful vibe they were giving each other was gone.
“So, you’ve got a helmet for her?” Joe asks him and Carter nods obligingly as if it’s the first time he’s asked. And not the fifth.
“And you know she has work tomorrow, so, I’m sure you won’t be getting her in too late,” he says, his voice stern. “Now, I know you’re famous and all son, but in my house, we’re just regular humans. If that girl is smiling, you’re always welcome. But if you do anything to turn that smile upside down, you’ll find out why the called me Low Blow Joe in my day.”
I laugh and am amazed that Carter doesn’t even crack a smile. Instead, he nodded solemnly and said “Sir, if I turn her smile upside down, I’ll take whatever punishment you decide is fitting, because I’ll deserve it.”
His answer feeds Joe’s misconception about our relationship. Part of me knows I shouldn’t encourage him. But there’s a part of me that just wants to enjoy pretending that he’s a guy coming to take me on a date.
I’ve held his hand a lot tonight. It’s just friendly, though. Sure, I don’t just randomly hold hands with my other friends. But, I don’t have any other friends like Carter.
“So where ya off to?” Joe asks.
“It’s a surprise,” Carter says with a cheeky smile.
“Ah, she doesn’t like those,” Joe says with a frown that warms my heart.
He’s such loving man.
I hate that his family doesn’t try harder to come see him. Their loss has been my gain, because he’s the closest thing to a father figure I’ve ever had. I love the way he fusses over me.
“I know. But, I’m taking a chance that this’ll be one an exception.”
Joe shrugs as if to say, “it’s your funeral.” “Well, you both be careful. This is the last Sunday before the holiday and you know people are going to be impatient in traffic.”
“Oh yeah, the holidays. When are you leaving for Texas, Beth?” Carter asks.
I frown. “I don’t have plans to head back there until the summer.”
His brows draw together. “So you’ll be here for Thanksgiving?”
“Oh, yeah. Dina - you remember her, right? She’s coming up for the week.”
“What about your husband?” Joe demands.
At the mention of my errant, feckless husband my good mood evaporates. I manage a small smile at Joe, but avoid looking at Carter. “He’s in Houston with his mother and her family. He’ll be back in New York after the New Year.”
I gather the empty coffee mugs on the table in front of us and stand to take them to the kitchen. Joe scoffs as I walk away
“Do you know this guy? I’ve never met him, but I swear if I had a wife anything like her, I’d never leave her side.”
Carter laughs, but it’s tense and forced. “I’ve met him once or twice and I agree. If she was mine, I’d never let her out of my sight, either.”
My heart skips a whole beat, and tears spring to my eyes and my hands tremble as I load the mugs into the dishwasher.
When I turn to head back toward them, Carter is looking at me with an expression I can’t read, but that sets my nerves on edge. “I don’t know if this is too soon to ask this…” He trails off and I realize the expression is nervousness. I have a flash of panic that he’s about to say something about our past…a past I haven’t shared with Joe.
“Ask what?”
“This is really last minute. But, if you don’t have plans, you should join my family and me for Thanksgiving. I mean, seeing how Duke isn’t here and you’re not going home.” He smiles and looks between Joe and me, expectantly.
I haven’t had a family Thanksgiving since my mother left. It used to be my favorite.
“I’d love that.” I turn to Joe, “Do you have plans?”
His smile doesn’t falter, but his eyes lose some of their sparkles. “I’m hoping to go get my son, but if that doesn’t work out, I’d like to join you.”
I hope I get to meet this son and this ex of his so I can punch her lights out for all the disappointment she’s been responsible for causing Joe. I know he’s not going to get to pick him up. Not for Thanksgiving or any other weekend. And I’m not letting this wonderful man spend that day alone.
