Page 44 of Holiday Wishes and Tentacle Dreams
“I didn’t know how many people we’d have. I told you that everyone in your beau’s family was welcome to come.” Gram finished rinsing out the empty can and tossed it into the recycling bin with a startling clank.
“I’m not…I don’t think any of them will be here. Doren’s family is complicated, and Doren has…a job situation that came up.” Jake reached out to grab a cookie, but at the last minute snatched his hand back and sat at the kitchen table. “All of it is too complex, and I just don’t know if it will work out.”
Gram pulled out the turkey and basted it, soaking the skin in the nearly clear drippings. It struck Jake how many times he’d witnessed her perform this very act throughout his lifetime. She was the constant, and he was incredibly grateful for that.
She was the reason they had turkey for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Jake had tried to get her to switch to roast beef or ham, but she loved having the big bird, and he didn’t push the issue. He adored her too much to take away anything from her, not after all she’d done for him.
Plus, he always snuck away to the adjacent apartment the next day for leftovers. The Dobrowskis had lived there when he was a kid, and the dad was a professional chef, so they had incredible food.
“Now, you know I hated Phil,” Gram said, slamming the oven door closed and breaking Jake out of his nostalgic thoughts.
“Youwhat?!” Jake frowned. She’d never said a word against him the whole time they’d dated.
“Oh, sweetheart, he was an absolute fucking asshole. Judgemental and not nearly as smart as he thought he was. And he was mean to you.”
“No, he?—”
“He was, Jakey.” Washing her hands, Jake’s grandmother shot him a severe look. He was having trouble taking her admonishment seriously—she was cooking an entire Christmas dinner in a sequined cocktail dress, and it was quite the sight.
After a moment, Jake shrugged. He didn’t remember it like that.
“He was mean to you, and you deserve better, even if you don’t think you do. Now, I don’t know this Doren, but never once have you mentioned them with the fear in your voice that you had talking about Phil.”
As she wiped her hands on a kitchen towel with an image of a smiling Santa on it, she sat down across from him, making Jake shudder. She always saw him precisely as he was, which was often wonderful but sometimes terrible.
“I guess maybe I was afraid, in a way. Toward the end, everything set him off. And I know how hard it is to live with a depressed person.”
“Jakey, I lived with you for seventeen years, and not once did I find it hard!” Gram pounded her tiny fist against the wooden table, sending the plastic reindeer salt shaker flying. “Did it worry me when you were having trouble? Sure. But someone who loves you knows it’s a privilege to be by your side.”
Jake shook his head and opened his mouth to respond, but Gram held up her hand to stop him.
“Jacob Goodman, you listen to me. You are my grandson. But more than that, you are an excellent human being. You are not a burden. You are not a problem to be fixed. I thank God every day that I get to be your grandmother.”
Jake’s throat went dry and tears welled up in his eyes. “Ishould be the one thanking?—”
“I told you, it’s a damnprivilegeto be here with you, Jakey. You hear me? You should be with someone who thinks the same. Does Doren feel that way?”
Unable to force words from his lips, Jake just nodded. Dorendidfeel that way. They’d made it clear every moment the two had spent together. Gram was right. Doren was worth figuring out the complications. For the sake of how they felt about each other. How they treated each other. With respect. And love.
Dammit. Jake loved Doren. He had no idea what to do with that.
“That’s all that matters, then.” Gram smiled wide, her false teeth sparkling white to match her hair. “Now, will you help me?—”
A loud knock shook the door behind her, and Gram jumped in her seat.
“Jesus fucking Christ!” She sprang to her feet and tossed the kitchen towel onto the counter next to the sink as she opened the door.
Standing there, a half-worried, half-hopeful expression on their sun-kissed face, was Doren.
Chapter Fifteen
JAKE
“Are you my grandson’s paramour?” Gram asked with a giggle. “You have such pretty eyes!”
Doren’s skin turned a bright shade of pink as they stuck out their hand. “Uh, hi, yes, I’m Doren. I am courting Jake.”
“Ooh, courting!” Taking Doren’s hand, Jake’s grandmother didn’t bother to shake it, but pulled them over the threshold and into an intense hug. Over her shoulder, Doren made eye contact with Jake, their face tinged with terror. He couldn’t help but smile at their expression.