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Mrs. Abbey meets her youngest son’s dour expression with a heavy sigh. “What did I do now?”
“Nothing,” he snaps. “I’m just busy.”
She peers into the room, at me, and offers a tiny smile before returning to Garrison. “If I knew you were bringing a boy over, I could’ve ordered pizza for you both.”
Oh my God. She thinks I’m a boy? I stare down at my baggy overalls. Don’t change, I try to remind myself. Don’t change because of his mom.
“She’s a girl,” Garrison emphasizes, and even though I only see the back of his head, I imagine his eyes narrowing a little. “And I already told you that I didn’t need anything today.”
Mrs. Abbey sighs again. “Why do you have to speak to me in that tone?”
Garrison shrugs. “Sorry.” His voice is entirely dry, and I try to concentrate on my cellphone to give them privacy. It’s hard not to overhear.
“You’re acting like I’ve demolished your entire world, and all I wanted to do was say hello, how was your day?” She seems nice.
Garrison grips the door like he’s seconds from slamming it closed. “It was really good. Now can I go?”
Mrs. Abbey’s blue-green eyes flit to me, then back to him, and she tries to lower her voice. I still hear her say, “What happened to Rachel?”
He groans. “We’ve been over this. Rachel isn’t my friend anymore.” In my U.S. Government class, I heard Rachel vilifying Garrison. Saying things like, he should’ve convinced Nathan and his friends to do the right thing. He’s no better than them.
She hates him.
“I just spoke to her mother yesterday,” Mrs. Abbey explains. “She may forgive you if you just apologize and spend a little time—”
“No,” Garrison cuts in. “I don’t care about befriending Rachel again.”
“She’s a sweet girl,” Mrs. Abbey continues. “I always thought she’d be a great influence on you, and if you go to the same college—”
“Mom,” he groans and rests his hands on his head. “Just accept that your hopes and dreams of me marrying Zeta Beta Zeta royalty are over and move on. It’s not like Rachel and I were ever a thing. You just made it all up in your mind because you’re best friends with Rachel’s mom.”
“That’s not true,” she says, offended. “I just want what’s best for you.”
Garrison goes rigid, and eerie silence passes. A lump rises to my throat, but I stay quiet and respect their space.
Mrs. Abbey says softly, “You should apologize to Hunter.”
Garrison drops his hands and stares at the floor.
“He graciously invited you to Penn for the weekend, and he told me that you cursed at him. Every single one of your brothers is making an effort to include you in their lives, and you keep pushing them away.”
“You know why,” he says, almost inaudibly.
She sighs for the third time. “Boys play rough. Your father is right; you need to stop being so sensitive.”
My lips part at her response, and Garrison has completely shut down. He no longer speaks back.
“All I want and hope and pray,” she says, “is that my four boys will be together as family. Please don’t make this Thanksgiving uncomfortable by hiding yourself in your room. Please.” She looks and sounds on the verge of tears.
My stomach knots at what she’s asking him to do. By being around his brothers, he risks another bruise, possibly a broken bone—his safety. Yet, she acts like he’s at fault for the strained sibling relationship.
In the aching silence, I find myself standing up and saying softly but loud enough, “I invited Garrison to Thanksgiving with me.” I didn’t really, but I suppose I just did.
His head whips towards me, surprise opening his mouth.
I approach but not too close, and Mrs. Abbey tries to place my appearance. I seem familiar to her because I’ve appeared on entertainment news sites. Which is just surreal in itself.
“I’m Willow,” I greet with a sheepish wave.
Recognition floods her face. “Loren Hale’s cousin.” Half-sister, I mentally correct. She touches her heart. “I deeply apologize for what my son did to your cous—”
“Mom,” Garrison interjects. “You don’t have to go around making amends for me. We’re already friends.” He gestures between me and him.
Mrs. Abbey forces a kind smile, obviously peeved by Garrison’s attitude. “So you’ll be spending Thanksgiving with the Hales then?”
“Um…” I hadn’t thought about this. Lo has already offered, but I’ve been contemplating returning to Maine to spend a little time with Ellie. I’ve been saving for a plane ticket. “I might actually visit my little sister in Maine, but Garrison is welcome to come.”
Garrison knows about my strained relationship with my mom and my little sister. Maybe that’s why he says, “Thanks, Willow, but I can’t.”
Did I do the wrong thing by interjecting? I just wanted to give him an escape if he needed one.
Mrs. Abbey radiates with joy. As though Garrison’s rejection of my offer was an affirmation that he’ll try to get along with his brothers.
