Dedicating Every Day to You

Chapter Fifty-Seven

"Alright." John straightens up, slamming the trunk of the car shut. There's an ominous thud, but no one seems particularly bothered. "Everyone got everything? If you forgot to pee, it's too late now."

Harriet flashes him a thumbs-up, then gives me yet another hug. "Thank you guys so much for letting me come with you." She looks happier than she has in a while, so already I count this as a success.

"Oh, anytime, sweetheart." Alex turns and smiles at her from the passenger's seat. "We're really glad you could come."

John slides into the driver's seat and starts the car. "I forget, where's Nina spending the long weekend?" He looks happy, too, his freckles lighting up with his smile.

"She's at her boyfriend Benny's house." Harriet slips her seatbelt on and tucks her knees up underneath her. "His parents wanted to meet her, and my dad says he's not up to cooking. I mean, we'd be having macaroni and cheese with a side of macaroni and cheese for dinner, but it would still be nice."

I smile reassuringly at her, trying to keep her from slipping into melancholy again. "Well, you can always call him when we get there, and make sure he's not lonely." It sounds a little bit like we're referring to a cat.

She nods. "I really appreciate this."

Harriet's parents are still not back together. Even though Nina is here and pulling the house back into proper order, things are still a bit more turbulent than anyone would enjoy. Sally and Thomas haven't spoken in almost three weeks, and since Harriet said she can't bear a cold, quiet Thanksgiving of two, I begged my dads to let me invite her to come with us to South Carolina.

Henry, my grandfather, invited us to drive down and spend Thanksgiving with the family in South Carolina this year. John jumped on the invitation and accepted right away, and there was a tearful Skype call with his sister Mary when she found out he was coming. Everyone is, apparently, really excited to meet us. I'm excited to meet them, too- I just hope they like me.

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When we get out of the car in the Laurens' driveway, it's joyful, goofy, and eager. Last time we were here, it was like we were preparing to storm the castle or invade a fortress. Now, we're all happy to see the family that I never knew I had. I make sure that Harriet's hair isn't too flat in the back, and she pulls a thread out of my hair from the motel pillowcases last night.

A crunch of boots on gravel, and then Mary is dragging John out of the car and hugging him. Her hair is slicked back in as much of a bun as I think she can manage, and she's dressed like a proper Southern lady, in a lacy dress and pearls- and her Doc Maartens. "Come on inside! James and Martha are here, and so is Papa, and James brought Lacy..."

"Who's Lacy?" John beams at his younger sister, and I wonder if he's happy that she's not crying on him this time.

"Lacy...she's James' little girl." Mary squeezes his hand. "Hurry up and get in the house so you can see her."

As we walk up the massive front stairs, I notice that the house doesn't seem as scary as it did when we came last month. It's still a behemoth, but it feels welcoming in its formidability, both ancient and ageless. Its peach exterior reminds me of an old Southern matriarch, waiting to welcome her descendants into the house.

John and Mary, arm in arm, lead us into a dimly lit room that's at least air conditioned. There's a small group of people inside, and as I gaze around, I see familiar features. There's a young man with the same warm brown eyes, a beautiful young woman with the same curly hair and knowing smile, Mary with the same cinnamon-sprinkle freckles. There are little kids, too- a tiny baby, a wispy-haired toddler, and one of the women is very pregnant.

When they see us, all of the adults jump up. The brown-eyed man and the curly-haired woman run, actually run, and throw their arms around my dad. The woman keeps squealing, and the man is crying and laughing all at once.

"Jamie! Martha!" John squeezes them close, looking ridiculously happy. I don't think I've ever seen two adults so happy to be near one another. They're all elated, and it makes me happy just being near them.

Introductions are exchanged- the man is James, John's brother, and the pregnant woman is Martha, his other sister. The baby and toddler are Lacy and Leon, James's little kids, and Martha's baby is going to be named Mirelle. Everyone seems charmed by Alex, and Harriet gets right down on her knees to play with Lacy, so she's already entered into everyone's good graces.

I turn to Henry, my grandfather, and offer up a shy smile. "Hello, sir, how are you doing?" I nervously smooth down the skirt of the dress that John told me to wear.

He chuckles, his old eyes- surrounded by wrinkles caused by laughter and a life well lived- sparkling. "Very good, young lady, very good indeed. I have all my family home again."

"That must make you really happy- after all, I would be happy if my whole family got together, too." The words bring on an unwanted wave of sadness- I don't know what it would be like if my whole family got together, and I may never know.

"Look around you." Henry smiles reassuringly. "Here it is. This is your family, and they're all gathered today." There's something about his gentle voice that tells me he means it. This really is my family, and I belong here.