Promises We Keep

18

KEN POV

"Karen, why did you make this much food?" Marcus asks, staring at the feast in front of him.

He's right. My mom went completely overboard. It is just the three of us and yet the spread on the dining room table is enough to feed a men's basketball team. There is like three pans on mac and cheese and five pies. It's Thanksgiving and Marcus is spending the holiday with us, because well, his mom sucks and Grace is out of town with her uncle.

I can't believe we've been together for a few weeks now. I laugh to myself. We've upgraded to spending holidays together. This is the longest relationship I've ever been in. Not counting the one with my bed.

"I guess I did get carried away. But can you blame me? My little boy is going to be at college next year. This will be the last Thanksgiving together," my mom says, with a sad smile.

I roll my eyes. Why is she being so dramatic? "I'm going to college not off to war, Mom."

"It might as well be the same thing," she pouts.

"You do know I'm coming back for Thanksgiving and all the other holidays, right?" I say, shaking my head.

"If you cook like this again next year, then I'll be coming back too," Marcus says.

"How are you going to just invite yourself?" I ask, raising my eyebrow.

"Why are you acting like you even have a say in this? This is between me and your mom," he says, stuffing his mouth with food and his plate piled high.

"Hey fat ass, we haven't even said grace or told each other what we're thankful for," I frown.

He stops eating, a fork of food hovering in front of his face, and gives me the 'do I look like I care' look. I grab the fork out of his hand, setting it back on his plate.

"Act like you got some common sense," I laugh. He's always annoying the hell out of me but I can't help but love it.

Marcus swallows the lump of food he shoved in his mouth. "I don't understand why we have to say grace. We should be thanking your mom for the food."

"That's not the-"

"Thanks for the food Karen," Marcus says, ignoring me.

My mom just smiles and gives me a look that says 'let him be'. I roll my eyes at the both of them. Marcus goes right back to stuffing his face with food. His eyes light up and he softly moans at the taste. I smile, unable to look away from the kid. He looks so content. I smile to myself, happy that I could give him a family holiday like this. I want him to have more days like this.

"Kenti, can you help me with something in the kitchen," my mom asks, taking me out of my trance.

"Sure," I say, following her.

She pulls out glasses and some lemonade from the fridge, but instead of filling the glasses, she just stares at me.

"What's wrong," I frown.

"You and Marcus have been looking quite close these past few weeks," she says, simply and as more of a statement that a question.

Oh crap. Is she mad? Is she against this?

"Umm...yeah..we are dating actually," I say, quietly.

She smiles. "That's good Ken. I really like Marcus."

I breathe in relief. I am way too hungry to have this meal ruined because of prejudice. It would also suck for Marcus too if he was suddenly kicked out on Thanksgiving Day.