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I pull open the door to see perfect green eyes staring back at me. They remind me of the fresh grass of springtime, the first mow of the year. The yellowing lawn behind her snaps me back to autumn, the impending winter bringing. a crisp chill to the air.
"Hey," is all she says as I waveher in. It still amazes me that after two years of dating, she still rings the doorbell, as if she isn't welcome here anytime she likes.
I plant a quick peck on her lips before Mom enters the kitchen. My mother is thankful to have a girl around after constantly being surrounded by a house full of boys. The two hug and it brings a subtle curve to my lips.
"It smells incredible in here," Delaney comments as they break their hug, adding a big inhale to get the full effect of the savory aromas coming from the oven.
"Is there anything I can help with?" She asks as I twine our fingers together at our sides.
"Dinner should be ready in a few minutes, you can go ahead and pick your seat."
I pour Delaney a glass of apple cider, tradition with the Thanksgiving feast in the Reeve household, before we go into the adjoining dining room and take a seat.
"Thank you for coming, I'm glad to have you here."
"Thank you for having me. It's kind of perfect that the person I am the most thankful for this year is who I get to spend today with."
My thumb brushes against her bottom lip before I kiss her again, this time with more passion, my tongue trailing along her mouth and my hand splaying across her cheek. I pull back, ending the kiss before I let it go any further. Our foreheads meet, our breaths mingling between our faces.
"I love you, Laney." It's a simple confession that I have made many times to her before but this time it feels deeper. Sharing this moment with her - a holiday that is reserved for family and togetherness - it makes me feel like. we are getting deeper than either of us expected. I am intoxicated by her more and more every laugh we create, every kiss we share. I am in so fucking deep and I might never come up for air.
Delaney opens her mouth to respond but is interrupted by Ash running into the dining room.
"It's time for the skinning!"
"The what?" Delaney exclaims, her question bringing out a shared laugh between my brother and I.
"So I didn't warn you about this because I didn't think we would do it with a guest over. But I guess we are sharing all of our traditions with you. Even this one that is probably pretty gross out. of context so I apologize in advance."
I take her hand, leading her back into the kitchen, leaving our full beverage glasses in our spots. The turkey is sitting on the island in the middle of the room, the rest of my family circling it like they are ready to attack.
"I'm sorry you have to see this dear, but it's the boys favorite tradition so I caved and am giving them this one chance to act like savages."
"I still don't get what is happening," Delaney says, forcing a smile on her face to keep from seeming rude.
"Basically we pull all the skin off the turkey while it is still scalding hot from the oven because it's the best part and we don't want to miss out." My brother Lucas adds, making it seem like the most normal thing in the world foran American family to not only kill a turkey for dinner but to also decimate its carcass by removing all of the skin. But hey, it's delicious and Mom always seasons it perfectly. Don't act like it's gross, you know the skin is the best part. If left to our own devices, we will have the whole turkey skinned before it even has a chance to cool off.
"So let me get this straight, it's a free for all to peel off the skin and just eat it? Are there rules or something?"
"Nope, other than not biting each other but that is an old rule, we have pretty much grown out of that." I answer, nudging Ash who stands beside me. That rule was enacted several years ago when instead of using his hands to pick off the skin, Ash dove in face and teeth first. Needless to say, at least one of us got stitches that year and the rule was made.
"Is there a three two one countdown or ready set go?"
Mom chimes in as skin commissioner. "The one with the shortest first pull of the skin has to start with what they are thankful for when we get around the table. Understood?"
"Yes Mom." We all say in synchronization once more, as if we rehearsed it before Delaney got here.
"Dig in," Mom says before backing as far away from the island as our smaller kitchen will allow, her back against the cabinets near the sink. It's all hands and body checks, between my brothers and me only of course. Even Delaney gets in on the fun, doing her best to get the skin loose by using a fingernail to perforate it, focusing on the leg instead of the chest where we are all scavenging.
"Wait, why isn't it coming off like it usually does. These pieces are all tiny, what gives?"
A chuckle breaks out from behind usall and we turn in unison to face Mom. She is attempting to cover her mouth with her hand but her growing laugh is enough to break through the barrier.
"I cut it." Mom chokes out around her laughter.
"You cut it?" I ask in confusion.
"I told you all to act civilized. Did you listen? No. You never do, you little heathens!" She replies with a joking tone in her voice. Being one of three boys, I know how hard Mom has it, her hands have been full for over twenty years. We can all be identified as Momma's Boys without question, our appreciation for her running deep along with our love of annoying her. "Now get your grubby hands off the turkey, apologize to Delaney, and get your butts in chairs."
