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It’s interesting to watch the interaction between father and son. I know Coach is a good man. He’s tough on the team but he’s supportive too. Watching his softness toward his son does something to my insides. Usually, Coach comes across as this all-around tough guy, but when I watch him with his family, I see another side. A loving side. He’s supportive and caring. Those are things I didn’t have growing up but now that I’m getting older, I begin to think those are things I want too. I want a family to love. I look over to Patty and smile. She smiles back.
“Okay, let’s get this show on the road. Who wants to say grace?” Flynn asks.
She looks around the table and no one offers. “Okay, I’ll start but then you all are getting a turn.”
Patty leans over and whispers, “You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to. When we were kids, we would complain about having to say what we were grateful for. Kevin and I used to come up with really dumb things and then we would be blamed for being a bad example for Quinn and Hunter. As we grew up, I began to see the point. Sometimes it’s the little things that matter.”
“It’s really nice,” I whisper back. “I can say something. My friends back in college have a similar tradition.”
“Okay.”
We go around the table and Coach gives his thanks, along with Patty’s brother. Then we get to their aunt and uncle. Everyone is grateful for their loved ones. Then we get to Quinn and she has a hard time saying what she is grateful for.
“I really dislike being an accountant,” she blurts and her mom beside her frowns. “I’m sorry that doesn’t really matter.” Quinn’s lips turn down. “I’m grateful for my family.” Then she looks over at Hunter, who is chewing his lip.
“I actually have news,” Hunter begins and the whole table has different versions of a confused look. Hunter stands from his chair. No one else stood so I wonder what is going on.
His mother looks at him with drawn-in brows. “What is it, sweetie?”
“I asked Amy to marry me. We want to get married by New Year’s,” he says, and he spreads his hands wide and smiles.
His mother’s green eyes turn wide, and she stands beside him. “What?”
“I’m marrying Amy,” he repeats.
“Why?” the question comes from his dad.
Patty looks over to me and shrugs her shoulders. This is family drama at its finest.
“What do you mean why, Dad? We’ve been dating a whole year,” Hunter responds.
“But you’re a senior in college. You’re drafting in the spring. I’m sorry to say this, Son, but it isn’t the time,” Oli relays to his son, while his wife is palming her chest and looking pale.
“I just wanted to mention the good news at dinner because I was happy. I didn’t think you guys would react this way,” Hunter says, seeming truly offended. He takes a seat again and slumps in his chair.
“What’s the rush?” Patty’s aunt Sloane asks.
“Amy is pregnant.” He winces. “I need to marry her ASAP and before you go off on me, I want you to know I love her. I want to marry her, baby or no baby.”
Whoa.
I suddenly feel uncomfortable sitting here. Like I’m invading on private family time.
Sloane begins to rub her temples. Oli’s mouth remains agape.
“Okay, this is interesting news,” Coach Myles cuts in.
“It sure is,” Kevin adds. “Congrats, cousin.” He lifts the flute in front of him.
“Congratulations,” Patty’s mom chimes in.
Sloane gives Patty’s mom a wide-eyed look.
Hunter is an adult. He’s taking responsibility for his actions. I’m not sure what anyone can do.
Oli then whispers something in his wife’s ear and rubs her back. They go back and forth whispering about Hunter being a grown-up and owning up to his mistakes. If I heard him use the word mistake, then I am pretty sure everyone else did too.
“Okay, sweetie, congratulations. How far along is Amy? Looks like I’m going to be a grandma,” Sloane mutters. She sounds like she is grinding her teeth together and her smile looks more constipated than happy, but she spreads her arms wide and hugs her son.
