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22
AARON
Aaron checked his phone one last time, counting down the minutes until Thanksgiving dinner would be over and he could wave goodbye to his parents. He loved them, of course, but he couldn’t help the anger that arose whenever he thought of how they had treated his brother. It was great they’d welcomed Brynn and Dani into their life, but why hadn’t they been more welcoming of their own son?
“The place looks great, son. You’ve done well for yourself.” His father brought a glass of spiced cider to his lips as he stared out the window towards the blue lake beyond.
“Thanks.” Aaron peeked towards the kitchen his mother had shooed him out of an hour ago. Laughter from Dani and his mom filtered through the room. Brynn’s eyes lit with cautious joy as she added pie crust to a pan for his mother’s sweet potato pie recipe. His mother had insisted on helping to cook the meal.
“What do you catch in the lake?” his dad asked.
“Trout, bass, and a few northern pike.” Aaron turned back to the view.
Blue skies with a few crisp white clouds blew overhead. Brown leafless trees surrounded both sides of the lake, with a few evergreens mixed in. The view was most beautiful during peak foliage season with the bright reds, oranges, and yellows.
His dad nodded. “Want to watch the game? Where’s your television?”
“Downstairs in the game room.”
His father’s forehead wrinkled. “You don’t have one up here?”
“I don’t watch a lot of it.” He motioned to the bookshelf, ignoring the reminder of just how little his father really knew about him. “Come on, I’ll show you.”
Aaron led his father downstairs, getting him settled on the sofa in front of the large screen. His mind kept wandering to Brynn. Would his mother say something to hurt her or Dani’s feelings?
He stood. “I’m gonna go check on dinner.”
“Sure.” His father kept his gaze to the TV.
Aaron jogged back upstairs, his mother’s voice halting him.
“You are such a pretty young lady, just like your mom. I love that dress.”
“Thank you. Aaron picked it out for me,” Dani answered, the smile in her voice evident.
“My son always had a great eye for beauty.” His mother stared at Dani, her eyes taking on a sad sheen. “You remind me so much of my daughter . . .”
“What’s next?” Brynn asked.
His mother shook her head and turned towards Brynn. “Now, Danielle can help set the table. You can slip that pie into the oven and set a timer. Dinner should be ready in about thirty minutes.”
“I’ll grab the plates.” The sound of the stool skidding over the floor preceded the clank of plates being stacked.
Aaron should move, but a part of him wanted to see how his mother would treat Brynn when she thought he wasn’t around.
“Brynn?” His mother’s voice lowered, and Aaron’s senses turned to alert.
“Yes?”
“I just wanted to thank you for having us.”
“This is Aaron’s home, and you’re his family. Of course, we’d have you.”
“I’m sure he’s told you things haven’t been so easy between us in a long time . . . But receiving that phone call about him getting married, it made me realize how much I’ve missed out on. I hope we can move forward from here. And I think I have you to thank for that chance.” His mother sniffed.
Aaron’s heart lurched, a mix of emotions roiling in his chest.
“Oh, I . . . I’m glad you came too. Cooking, this afternoon, has been fun,” Brynn answered, her voice strained, as if she didn’t know what to say.
