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I sat down, and we settled into good, hearty conversation while the women looked after the kids and flitted around in the kitchen.
Eventually, the table was set with enough food to feed us all for a month.
Maybe longer.
After our thanks were given, I picked up the bowl of stuffing, took a healthy portion, then held it out across the table.
To my son-in-law.
He reached out for it, and we stared at each other for a good minute, my mind—and I imagined his, as well—replaying the thirty days we’d spent together.
And the last thing I’d said to him in front of the facility before we’d gone our separate ways.
“I sincerely hope, come Christmas time, I’m passin’ the stuffing and potatoes across the table to you,” was what I’d said.
And what I’d prayed for.
And here we were, all these months later.
Christmas time.
Me, passing the stuffing across the table to Trey.
His eyes welled up with tears, just like mine did.
“Thanks, Wes,” he said in a gruff voice that held more meaning behind it than anyone else at this table knew.
“You’re welcome, Son.” I blinked away my tears, but not effectively enough. I had to wipe my eyes with the back of my hand.
So did Trey.
“Gosh, men are so dramatic sometimes,” Lexi commented as she passed the bowl along. “It’s only stuffing, sheesh.”
The sound of a ringing phone interrupted my thoughts.
Lexi and her friends all reached for their phones at the same time.
Only one answered.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Hunter,” Gigi said before she hit the screen. “Hello?”
The entire table went silent.
“Oh, my gosh, yes! Of course, I’d love to. Thank you so much, Coach.”
She hung up and immediately started crying. Lexi and Jillian ran to her. After Gigi stood, they all did a celebratory hug.
I looked at Trey and swallowed over the lump in my throat. Then, I gazed over at my wife, who sent a beautiful smile my way.
“The Olympics!” Lexi squealed, “Gigi, I’m so happy for you.”
A minute later, another phone rang.
Lexi and Jillian looked at their phones.
But only one answered.
“Hello?” Jillian said into her phone expectantly. “Yes! Thank you.” She tried to hold in her emotions but was unsuccessful. Tears flowed freely down her face as she finished up her call.
