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Dad shakes his head. “Let’s say grace. David?”
“Oh Lord, thank you for this wonderful meal Jessica made and the opportunity to have another door open when one closes. I am forever grateful for this amazing family in front of me. Please bless them as you have blessed me. Amen.”
“Amen! Now, Uncle Davey, pass me the bread. Don’t hog it all. It’s my favorite.”
“I’ll never forget that. You almost bit my head off last time I took the last piece; I ain’t doing that again!” he jokes and passes me the bowl of bread. The garlicky smell from the bread has been making my stomach growl forever now.
“Sky, don’t forget your salad. Eat that first, please.”
“Yes, Momma.” I get on to eating my salad while Dad and Uncle Davey make small talk about work. Momma would ask a few questions here and there but otherwise spends most of the dinner listening. I hang on to every word Uncle Davey says, even when I don’t understand what he’s talking about. I just like hearing his voice.
When the shop talk falters, I can’t hold it in any longer. “Uncle Davey, why did Kristie cheat on you? She’s a bitch.”
Everyone looks at me with shock lacing their features. “Skyler! Watch your language. You don’t need to ask him that right now.”
I take a bite of my bread to hide the smile creeping across my lips.
Uncle Davey smiles tenderly at me and then looks at Dad. “It’s okay, James.” Then turning around to me, he says, “Bug, sometimes people just do bad things. I’m not sure why, and I’m not sure I will ever know why.”
“I’m sorry, Uncle Davey. Things will be better now that you’re here.” I stand up and gather my dishes to move them to the sink.
“I’m hoping so, Bug. I sure hope so.” Uncle Davey initiates clearing the table, but Momma stops him.
“David, it’s your first night, and it’s your only night as a guest. Let James clear the table. But tomorrow, it’s all you.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He grabs his beer and takes a sip. “Thank you for the meal, Jessica. You always know how to make me feel at home.”
“My pleasure, David.” Momma heads to the kitchen to start on the dishes. Dad follows her, grabbing the leftovers to put in the fridge.
“Uncle Davey, would you play Slapjack with me? I think I could beat you this time.” I walk over to the cabinet and grab my playing cards.
“Sure, Bug. James, Jessica, wanna play with us?”
“These dishes aren’t going to wash themselves,” Momma hollers from the kitchen and Dad snickers.
“I’ll play. Want another beer, David?”
“Oh yes, keep them coming.”
I shuffle the cards, and thankfully they don’t fly everywhere like last time. I am totally nailing this shuffling cards thing.
“One for you, one for Dad, and one for me,” I deal the first three cards and then repeat the action. Once all the cards are gone, I look over at Uncle Davey. “You can go first.”
He lays down a card — the four of hearts. Dad reveals his card on top of Uncle Davey’s card — a nine of clubs. Then it’s my chance, and it turns out to be the ace of diamonds. Uncle Davey’s next card is the two of clovers, and Dad’s is the queen of hearts. Mine is next, and as soon as I lay my card down, I slap it.
“Damn, kid. You’re fast!” Uncle Davey chuckles.
“Thank you. I’ve been practicing.” I grin as I pick up the cards underneath my jack.
We go around twice before Uncle Davey lays down the next jack. I slap my hand down, and Uncle Davey’s falls right on top of mine. “I beat you!”
“At the same time, Bug. So who gets it?”
“I think she does… Her hand is on top of the card, sorry.” Dad acts as the referee.
“Yes!” I add those cards to my pile.
We keep going until the next jack — it goes to Uncle Davey that time. Dad only has three cards left, and soon he’s out. I slap out of turn with Dad’s last card. “Oooh, gotcha, Sky. Hand over a card.”
