It had been an odd Thanksgiving for Gavin. He’d spent most of the day wishing Ella were there to make everything better, but his parents were also different today. Sure, his mom was scurrying around making the traditional turkey dinner, but they were also packing for their trip to Turks and Caicos in the morning. Apparently, they were on the same flight from Boston with Hannah, Nolan, Will, Cameron, Hunter and Megan. They’d even hired a limo to transport them all from Vermont to Logan Airport.
His parents were excited about the trip, excited for the wedding, excited about everything lately, or so it seemed to him.
“Too bad you couldn’t get away to come with us, Gav,” his dad said while they watched football before dinner.
“Things are nuts at the yard,” he said, as he always did.
“You know . . . No man lies on his deathbed wishing he’d spent more time at work.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You know what it means.”
“You ever run your own business, Dad? No, I didn’t think so.”
“Point taken. However, you have excellent employees who are more than capable of covering for you for a few days so you can get away. Everyone needs a break once in a while. That’s all I’m saying.”
It was nothing Gavin hadn’t told himself, repeatedly, especially after the invitation had come for Dylan’s wedding and everyone began making plans to go. He’d never had any intention of going for reasons that were his and his alone.
By three thirty he was standing in front of the window that looked out over the driveway watching for Ella. He and his parents sat down to eat at four, and as it did every year, Caleb’s glaring absence left an empty space across the table and in Gavin’s heart. He missed him so much—every day, but more so on days like this that were set aside for family, and he was forced to confront how small his family had become.
Over dinner, his mom said she wanted to talk about what they were thankful for. “I’ll start,” she said with a warm, happy smile. “This year I’m thankful for my husband and son and what we’ve managed to weather together. I’m thankful to have been Caleb’s mother, to have the incredible blessing of his life to cherish for the rest of mine.” She took a deep breath, dabbed at her eyes and continued. “I’m thankful for the inn that Hannah started, which has given Dad and me all new purpose this year and for the grandbaby she will soon bring into our lives. I’m thankful for your beautiful smile, Gavin. I’ve missed it, and it’s nice to see it back again. And for that, I’m most thankful to Ella, who has given you reason to smile again. That’s my list.”
“Ditto,” his dad said.
“That’s a cop-out,” Amelia said, smiling at her husband.
“How so? I’m thankful for all those same things.”
“All right, fine. Be that way. What about you, Gav?”
Gavin felt surprisingly emotional after hearing his mother’s heartfelt list, and her inclusion of Ella touched him deeply. “I’m thankful for all those things, too. Mostly for you guys. I’m glad we always have each other even if we don’t see each other every day. You know I’m right there for you, or at least I hope you do.”
“Of course we do,” Amelia said, laying her hand over his. “You’ve been a wonderful son to us your entire life, but never more so than since we lost your brother.”