Lucky Me

*XXIX*

Chapter Twenty-Nine

My Mom was surprisingly chill about Ezra staying with us and of course, my father was absent most of the time so I didn't really know what his reaction was to Ezra staying here.

A couple of my family members came over for Thanksgiving dinner. My aunt, a couple of my cousins, and my grandma on my father's side. She's the only living grandma I have.

Grandma hugged me and then handed me a couple of dollar bills, "you've grown so much, Morg. You're already as tall as your father.''

I chuckled, "I don't think I would be growing anymore,''

Grandma just smiled and looked past my shoulder and right at Ezra, who was being bombarded with questions from my aunts and uncles.

"So, how exactly do you know Morgan?''

Ezra scratched the back of his head, "she's my girlfriend.''

I blushed and looked away. I still got that tingling feeling every time he said my name or called me his girlfriend or kissed me or even touch me. I could get used to being called Ezra's girlfriend.

Grandma squeezed my arm, "what a handsome young fella you got there, Morgan. Where's Vivian? She said she wanted my recipe for my famous triple berry pie.''

"Uh, I think she's in the kitchen.''

Grandma nodded and walked towards the kitchen. Once all my uncles, aunts, and cousins left I took Ezra by the hand and he pulled me close, wrapping his arms around my waist.

"Your aunts and uncles are scary,'' he told me, smiling.

"Well, you do not want to meet my other uncles. They are at least six foot tall and know how to fight and use a gun,''

"I'm over six foot and I know how to use a gun,'' he told me and then kissed my neck. "Not that I would ever use it on you.''

I bit my bottom lip, "I know.''

"Maybe tie you up on a bed . . .''

I blushed, oh god, how am I going to survive if he keeps saying things like that?

💔

Dinner was not quiet at all. My cousins were shouting at each other, one of my aunts and uncles were arguing over something about buying a new house or something.

My father was looking down at his lap every five seconds and has barely touched his food. I sighed, knowing that he was probably checking his emails for work or something. Or maybe talking to one of his co-workers since he likes them more than his own family.

Mom grabbed his hand and squeezed it, "Aaron, honey, you haven't touched your turkey,''

My father looked up and gave my mom a weak smile, "I'm just not that hungry, Viv.''

Mom folded her arms, "oh yeah? It looks like you rather spend your time working than being with your family.''

Everyone turns around and looks at Mom and Dad. I bite my bottom lip and stare down at my lap. I really just wish that for once that my father would actually pay attention to us then just focus on work 24/7.

"Vivian,'' Dad said in an unyielding way. "Not now, not here.''

Mom rolled her eyes, "oh please. It's Thanksgiving and it would be nice if you'd at least pretended to enjoy having us around.''

"I do enjoy having my family around,'' he looked over at Grandma and smiled. "Especially my mother.''

It stung a little bit that he didn't say he didn't single me out. I gulped trying to push back the tears but it kept coming anyway. I just stared down at my lap, hoping that no one noticed.

But Ezra did and he reached out for my hand and squeezed it. I squeezed his hand back, very happy that he was here.

"Well can you then please put that ridiculous phone away?'' Mom said through gritted teeth. "I'm so sick of feeling like I'm being un- acknowledge! I'm your wife for goodness sake.''

"Mom stop,'' I told her.

Mom looked at me and she gave me this piteous look. "No, okay? I had time to reflect when you were in college. How I barely said anything to you before you left . . . how I haven't really been there for you.''

"Mom, it's fine.'' I lied. I just didn't want to do this now.

"No, it isn't. The only reason I knew about Emilio was because of Deb and that's not okay.'' She looked over at Dad now and she looked beyond pissed. "It would be nice for you to actually talk to us while we're around. One day, we'll be gone and you wouldn't have a chance to say goodbye first.''

And with that Mom stood up and pushed her chair back and stormed out. My father frowned and looked at me and for some reason, I felt like punching him in the face.

"She's right,'' I tell him. "You're so consumed by your stupid job that you barely even talk to us. Do you even know what college I go to?''

"Duke, right?''

I snorted, of course, he got it wrong. "No, I go to Berkeley. In Woodland Park.'' I stand up, pushing my chair back. "You're unbelievable,''

"Morgan​-"

"No, Dad.'' I choked, I was on the brink of tears now. "For most of my life, you've been absent. I don't understand how you could hate your own daughter so much.''

"I don't​-"

"Save it,'' I snapped. "I'm so over this.''

I stormed out and finally burst out crying. My heart ached and I felt like vomiting my Thanksgiving dinner right out.