The Next Door Boys by Jolene B. Perry Page B

two to spend the holiday alone.
    “Me too.” He exchanged a brief glance with my brother and then chased after Nathan.

     
    “So.” I watched Mom in the kitchen. “What can I do?”
    She seemed almost frantic and didn't meet my gaze.
    “Mom?”
    She paused and finally looked up at me. Her eyes were red.
    “Oh.” So much for distraction. Guess it was all of us. “I'm okay, Mom. I'm going to be okay.” I held her eyes in mine.
    She pressed her lips together and nodded. She started washing potatoes in the sink.
    “I can do that.” I took over the job from her, and she stood there next to me.
    She put an arm around me and leaned her head on my shoulder for a moment before moving on to something else. If Mom didn't have words, she was in a rough place.

     
    The table filled with a quiet peace as Dad bowed his head to say the prayer. We all sat silent for a long moment waiting for him to begin. When he started to speak, his voice sounded thick and slow. I peeked over to see a tear slide down his face. I'd never seen my dad cry.
    “Our kind and gracious Heavenly Father…” He paused again and took a deep breath. “We have much to be thankful for this year…” Another long pause. He squeezed my hand. “We're so grateful our Leigh is with us…” That was it. I could hear my dad's body shake softly once or twice. He had no more words. I squeezed his hand and waited.
    When it was obvious he couldn't continue, I did. “We're grateful to be here all together with friends and family…” Now I didn't know how to continue.
    Brian picked up where I left off. “That our needs are provided for and that we have much to be grateful for…”
    “We ask Thee this day to bless this food to help keep our bodies healthy and strong…” Jaron continued.
    “In the name of Jesus Christ…” Mom managed a whisper.
    “Amen.” My dad again, his voice barely audible.
    I had goose bumps. My dad looked over at me with tears in his eyes. “I don't know what we'd do without you, Leigh.” He barely got it out.
    I was way too big, but I slid myself into my dad's lap anyway, like I hadn't done since I was a little girl. He put his arms around me and held me there for a minute. He took a few deep breaths, still squeezing his arms around me. I lay my head on his shoulder and hugged him back. He kissed my temple. We sat quiet, the Spirit warm within all of us.
    I stood up and took my seat. I smiled across at Jaron, Mom leaned against Dad, and Brian and Nathan sat close to one another. Brian smiled at me as I looked around the table. In that moment I wouldn't have changed a thing.

fifteen
     
    When I walked into my apartment after Thanksgiving, Megan sat crying on the couch.
    “Megan? What's wrong?” I quickly sat with her.
    “Trevor got back last weekend.” She sniffed again.
    “That's good, right?” I don't know why I asked. If it had all gone well, she probably wouldn't be crying.
    “It's just—we went out, and nothing felt the same.” She sighed, holding back tears. “We both agree. It's just that for two years I thought my life was all planned out, and now? I have no idea. I mean, I didn't date anyone because of him. I thought he was it.”
    “Sorry, Megan.” I put my arm around her.
    “I'll be okay. I know that calling it all off with him was the right decision, even though it really sucks right now.” She took a few deep breaths, wiping tears from her cheeks.
    I sat across from her on the couch for the rest of the evening and watched PBS. I couldn't understand how it could take her to this point to realize that he wasn't the one for her. Wouldn't she have prayed about it sooner? How could you be so sad when you know you're doing the right thing?

     
    Monday night we walked into the boys’ house for FHE. Brian and Jaron sat comfortably on the floor. Brian had a guitar in his lap.
    “Hey, I didn't know you play guitar!” I smiled at him.
    “My ex-wife very kindly pulled it out of the closet for me when I