The Outsider by Alex Finlay

Author:Alex Finlay
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781800245358
Publisher: Head of Zeus

CHAPTER 40

Gray’s mom answered the door on Thanksgiving wearing an apron over her favorite blouse. She hugged Gray, then took the wilting flowers he’d picked up at CVS. In the living room, Gray’s father sat facing the old television. Emilio was on the floor sorting through some trading cards. He jumped up when he saw his uncle, and hugged Gray’s waist.

“The stranger returns!” Miranda called out from the kitchen.

“Can I get you something to drink?” his mom said.

“Tell him to get off his ass and get his own drink,” Miranda said. “And perhaps help us out in here. What is this, 1950?”

“Miranda, watch your language,” his mom said.

Gray sauntered over and peeked in the oven at the turkey. He picked up the spoon for the mashed potatoes and was going to steal a taste, when his mother smacked the top of his hand lightly.

“Go relax with your father,” she said.

Miranda rolled her eyes.

His father nodded hello, but kept his glance on the television. Gray sat on the floor next to Emilio.

“Excited for your big day coming up?” Gray said to his nephew.

“Mom said I can have my birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese!” Emilio gave a gap-toothed smile.

“Birthday? I meant your other big day. I heard you were getting married.”

“Nooooo,” Emilio giggled.

Gray glanced down at the playing cards. He recognized them. “I see Grandma found my old Pokémon cards? Do kids still collect these things?”

“Not really.”

“But you like them?”

He looked up at Gray with his large brown eyes. In a whisper, he said, “I’d rather play the Pokémon game on Mom’s phone, but she won’t let me. But it makes Grandma happy to see me playing with the cards. Mom says it reminds her of when you were a little boy. It also means I don’t have to help in the kitchen.”

“Smart,” Gray said. He picked up one of the cards, his thoughts meandering to the days when he, Arturo, and Sam would spend hours sitting on that very floor, the cards spread out in front of them. The carpet was different. Dad had replaced it himself, but otherwise the apartment was stuck in time. His home was always a sanctuary for Arturo and Sam. A safe place.

On cue, Sam arrived at the door. She held a bottle of wine and cheek-kissed everyone hello.

“Your mother couldn’t make it?” Gray’s mom asked.

“She’s not feeling well,” Sam said. They all knew what that meant.

An hour later, they held hands as Dad said grace, then stood and carved the turkey.

“Your sister said you brought a girl to Sam’s show. Someone special?” His mom smiled.

“Her name is Lauren. She’s my co-clerk.” Gray took some turkey from the platter and passed it on. “I’ll keep you posted if you need to start scouting wedding chapels.”

His mom let out a sigh, shaking her head at the deflection.

Sam jumped in. “I don’t know, he looked pretty taken with her. I haven’t seen him that smitten since Jessica Silva in the seventh grade.”

Miranda said, “He dodged a bullet with Jessica.

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