Unsocial

by Dykes, Nicole

  I look at him nervously, "Is that a good wow?"

  He walks closer, "Yeah. This is incredible, Brooke."

  I grin proudly; he looks impressed. "Well, good, everything is finished so if you want to get the turkey out for me we can start moving the food to the table."

  "No problem. And I'm sorry I couldn't help you with everything. Sitting in there while you did all the work wasn’t my plan.”

  Yeah, that sucked. No doubt a scheme cooked up by Alex to keep us from spending alone time together. I should have known she would do something like that. "It’s okay. I’m glad I could do this. And I hope you had fun with the guys.”

  He shrugs and gives me a minimal answer, "It’s not okay, Brooke. I should have been in here.”

  I smile kindly at him and then remember I still need to change my clothes before dinner, “Is it alright if I change in your room?"

  He grins devilishly over at me, "Of course. Need any help?”

  Oh, yes, my body screams, but my brain wins. “Not this time. I’ll be right back.” I tease.

  I walk into his simply decorated bedroom and can't help myself. I look around a little. Okay, I snoop. His king size bed is made perfectly with a black comforter and black with gray pillow cases. It’s extremely clean and smells like him. He has a four drawer oak dresser with nothing on top of it. A fairly large flat screen is fastened to the wall. Two end tables that match his dresser sit on either side of the bed.

  Opening drawers would be wrong, so there’s no way I will do that. But I do notice the two pictures on top of it next to the alarm clock. The first one is a family picture, The Monroes. Gabby is a tiny baby in the picture, so it has to be about six years old making Dylan around 20. He looks younger, a little less hard than he does now, but still a total badass. They look like a happy, carefree family. I put that picture down and then pick up the other one. It's only wallet size and slightly worn like that is where it’s kept. It's a very pretty young woman who is obviously Dylan's biological mother. The resemblance is strong. He never mentions her, and although I have wanted to bring it up, something tells me not to.

  I put the picture down and quickly change into my dark purple dress with long lace sleeves. It's slightly sexy, but still kid-appropriate. It goes down past my knees. I take the tie out of my hair and brush it a little with my fingers. Okay, simple Thanksgiving dinner. Here it goes.

  I walk back into the kitchen and see Dylan has just put the last dish on the table. "Where's Alex?"

  He nods his head toward the living room, "Flirting with Jax. You look amazing, Brooke."

  I smile and smooth down my dress in the front. "Thank you. Should we call them all in?"

  "Sure."

  We go into the living room and invite everyone to join us in the dining room. We all take our seats, Dylan, and Jax at the heads of the table. Alex sits next to Jackson at one end and signals for me to sit next to her but I move toward Cassie and sit just to the right of Dylan.

  I put on a triumphant smile and meet Alex’s scowling face. “I’m going to sit beside Cass.”

  She continues to scowl at me but can't say anything. I’m subtly letting her know that she can’t call all the shots. I take my seat and meet Dylan’s smug face.

  We are all about to dig in when Gabby starts crying. She's on the other side of Cassie, so I get up and kneel beside her chair. "Sweetie, what's wrong?"

  She just shakes her head, still crying then gets up heading to her room. I look to Dylan, who is already out of his seat and going after her. I look at Cassie, "Do you have any idea what happened?"

  Cassie looks at the table, "No, everything looks perfect." She snaps her fingers, "That's it!"

  I wait for her answer, and I can feel all eyes on us at that moment. She turns to Luke, "What was it that mom used to make for Gabby, especially?"

  A slow grin spreads across Luke's face, "Oh yeah, I totally forgot." He looks at me, "Gabby hates pie, so my mom always made her this fruit and Jell-O thing that Gabby loves."

  Michaels pipes in, "Oh yeah, Gabby's Spectacular Gelatin Dessert."

  I look over the large table; there are two pumpkin pies and one apple pie for dessert, but that was all I made. Damn, I wish I would have known about this before. I look at Cassie, "Any chance there is a recipe?"

  She nods and gets up to walk with me into the kitchen. She grabs an old cookbook, "I brought this with me when we moved. It was my mom's."

  I smile as she flips through it until she stops at a hand written recipe with "Gabby's Spectacular Gelatin Dessert" at the top. I skim the ingredients making note that we have the fruit and other ingredients in the kitchen. “Okay, you can eat."

  She shakes her head, "No, I want to help.”

  I smile at her, "Okay, I'll be right back. I’m going to tell Dylan the plan. Can you gather all of the ingredients?"

  She gets to work, and I go down the hall where Dylan is standing outside the door to Gabby’s room. His head is leaning against the wall, and he looks up when he hears me, "She locked the door. Maybe I need to take the locks off of these damn doors."

  I move to him and slip my arm around him. "We think it's the dessert."

  He turns to me with his brow creased, "What?"

  "Apparently Gabby hates pie and Sylvia used to make a special dessert just for her. Don't worry I'm on it."

  "You really think that's what’s wrong?"

  I give him a hopeful look. "No of course not, but looking at the desserts seems to have triggered her getting upset. And if it will help her, then I’m going to make it for her. She's six that is probably a very prominent memory of her mother."

  I knock softly on the door, "Gabby, I'm so sorry I didn’t know, but we are making something very special for you. I will bring you a plate of food and leave it outside the door. I know you want to be alone right now, and I understand that. If you feel like company, please let us know, if not I will bring you dessert soon."

  There is no answer which is what I expected. We go back to the dining room where no one has started eating. I tell Dylan to carve the turkey and for everyone to begin eating. Then I head back to the kitchen to begin helping Cassie. After getting everything for the dessert ready for the icebox to start chilling we go back to the table where everyone is eating quietly.

  Before I sit down, I prepare a plate for Gabby. Knowing it’s safe from Toby I place it on the floor outside her room and knock. “Gabby, I have a plate of food out here for you. Your dessert will be ready when you finish eating. Or if you want you can come back to the table.” I get no answer, so I return to the dining room. I prepare my plate and begin eating.

  Michael looks unsure over at Dylan, "We are gonna eat without Gabby?"

  He nods, "Yeah, she has her plate. I think she needs some space."

  Everyone eats quietly for a few minutes, and it is Trevor who finally breaks the silence, "Wow, Brooke this is so good. You've done it again."

  Alex agrees, "I swear your cooking skills just keep improving."

  Cassie looks in their direction, "You guys have known Brooke for a long time, huh?"

  They both nod their heads. And Cassie prods further, "How long have you guys been spending Thanksgiving together?"

  Alex looks like she is counting in her head, "Geez, how long has it been? Fifteen years?"

  Wow, I can’t believe it’s been that long. "Yeah, we met at the beginning of fourth grade when they moved across the street from my grandmother and me. Alex and I became inseparable, and we all spent Thanksgiving together that year. It became a tradition every year after that.”

  Michael’s eyes grow wide, "You guys have had Thanksgiving dinner together for that long?"

  I laugh, "Well, yeah. Christmas too. We were just like a big family. Alex and Trevor called my grandma, grandma, and her parents are like my parents, and I call them mom and dad.”

  Trevor chuckles in his seat, "I remember shy little Brooke well. You hardly said a word whenever I was around.”

  Cassie laughs, "You
were shy?"

  Alex takes a sip of wine and addresses Cassie, "Oh yeah, she was. And if you think she's tiny now you should have seen her then. Scrawny and flat as a board."

  I don't look over at Dylan, but my face is on fire. I'm going to kill them, and if I could reach them with my legs, I would sure as hell kick them both in the shins.

  Alex’s comment gets laughs from all three of the kids present at the table, and then Alex continues. I might have to take away her wine. "Sorry, but then she turned 13 and got boobs. It wasn’t long after that she became a total badass."

  Trevor laughs, "That's for damn sure. You definitely turned into a wild child."

  Jax zones in on me, "Oh yeah? You were wild?"

  If Trevor mentions anything about our night together, I swear I will kill him. Before I can say a word, Dylan interjects, "Okay, seriously we don't all need to gang up on Brooke here. We all have things in our past that I'm sure we'd like to change.” He turns to me, "Just ask Jax about the tattoo on the back of his right shoulder."

  He grins over at me and ignores Jackson flipping him off from the other end of the table. I laugh, "Well great, now I want to know what it is."

  Jax shakes him, "You better not, man."

  Dylan laughs, "Damn, I can't, but it's good."

  Alex gives Jax her best flirty smile. 'Will you show it to me, Jackson?"

  He winks at her, "Maybe sometime, sweetheart."

  We all laugh, and it's a nice break from the event at the beginning of dinner although I can't get Gabby out of my head. I watch the clock waiting for the one hour to be up for her dessert.

  Everyone finishes dinner, and I stand and start clearing the table. Trevor also stands, "I'll help ya with that Brooke."

  Dylan stands too, "No, that's okay. I'll help her, you go ahead and grab dessert with everyone else."

  Trevor continues to gather plates, "Nope, you eat. Brooke and I have done this before. I’ve been eating your food and drinking your beer all day, so I should do this.”

  Dylan also continues to help clear the table and heads to the kitchen sink. Trevor and I arrive right behind him. Dylan places his hand on the middle of my back, sending a tingle down my spine. "Brooke, you’ve done enough work today. Just keep me company while I clean up.”

  I see Trevor’s eyes on Dylan's hand, "You're welcome, thank you for letting me use this incredible kitchen."

  Trevor walks closer to us, and Dylan very slowly removes his hand, "This is an amazing kitchen, Dylan. It's not what I would picture a guy like you having."

  I notice Dylan's body tense. Uh oh. "A guy like me? What do you mean by that exactly?"

  Trevor doesn't pull back, although he probably should, "I mean it's all domestic and shit. Just seems fancy."

  "Yeah well it came with the house."

  "Yeah, it matches the house. I mean I just don’t see someone like you being all domesticated in a house like this. I like traveling too much and would hate settling down.”

  "Yeah, well you can't do that when you are raising four kids. I had to settle down, so I bought the big fancy house."

  Trevor is just being an ass now, "Man, I couldn't settle like that. It's admirable of you, but how long before you get bored with your life in the burbs. Course, if I were you, I’d find me a little hottie to help raise them.”

  They have both inched dangerously close to each other during this little pissing match, and I'm just praying this doesn't turn into an all-out brawl. Dylan grits his teeth, "Yeah I'm sure you would, so does that mean you're about ready to stop leeching off of Brooke and your sister and move to your next stop."

  Yep, that struck a nerve. They are standing way too close for comfort, and their body language is screaming fight. "I've never been a fucking leech in my life. I'm staying with them because they want me there."

  Dylan’s eyebrows shoot up towards his hairline. “Really, because from what I’ve been…..”

  I put my arms in between these two large men and push them apart, "Okay, that's enough. I don't know what is going on, but it needs to stop. We are having a nice Thanksgiving. Trevor, you need to go back in there and eat your dessert with the others.”

  Dylan and I stare at him a moment before he finally gives in and leaves. I breathe a breath of relief and then grab the gelatin dessert from the fridge then cut a small piece out to take to Gabby. Dylan silently begins loading the dishwasher.

  I walk down the hall to Gabby’s room, and I knock quietly, "Gabby, it's Brooke. I have something special for you."

  I hear the click of the lock, and I open the door carefully. Gabby sits up on her bed, and I walk over and sit next to her. I hand her the dessert, and her eyes instantly well up.

  She starts crying silently again, so I pull her into a tight hug. "Oh sweetie, is it still not right? I tried to follow your mom's recipe perfectly."

  She pulls back, wiping her eyes. And then something remarkable happens. She speaks. "It's perfect. You made my mommy's dessert."

  I'm stunned speechless for a moment. She just spoke. Damn, Brooke, use your voice and say something back. "Yes. I'm sorry I didn't know about it sooner."

  "I hate pie."

  Yes! More words. Please don't let this be some turkey-induced daydream or something. I nod, "Cassie figured it out. They love you so much sweetie, but sometimes people have to be reminded of things. Even important things."

  "I don't want to talk about the accident. That’s all they ever ask me about.”

  I'm assuming she means the day of the car accident and maybe the therapy sessions. "You don't have to talk about that until you are ready. If you are ready." She nods. I add, "But your brothers and Cassie and I, we would all love to hear about everything else." Another tear falls and it takes everything inside of me not to cry with her. "Is there anything I can do for you tonight?"

  She's thinking it over; that’s good. "Would you read to me? My mommy used to read a story to me every night. No one does that now." I look at the clock and note it’s only 5 o’clock and wonder if she’s ready for bed now.

  “Yeah, if you want. Whenever you’re ready, I will read whatever you want me to. How about right now I go out there and tell everyone you’re okay and eating your dessert. After company leaves, you can say goodnight to your family.” She smiles at me and nods. I’m shaking with the excitement of telling Dylan that she spoke, but I don’t want to push her too much.

  I leave the dessert on the table next to her bed and quietly slip out.

  When I latch the door behind me, I jump when I feel Dylan's body against mine. "Hey, is she okay?"

  I put my finger to my lips, shushing him. "Yeah, she's going to be fine." I grin up at him, "She would like to be read to every night before bed."

  He folds his arms across his chest, "Okay, how do you know that? Did she write you a note?”

  I shake my head and start to walk happily to the dining room, "No, she told me."

  He gently grabs my wrist and pulls me back to him, "She what? She spoke?"

  I smile, a huge ecstatic smile, "Yes! Oh, Dylan, she has the sweetest little voice."

  He's shocked, but is also grinning, "Well, what all did she say?"

  "Just that she doesn't want to talk about the accident, and she asked me to read to her. Sylvia used to every night."

  He takes it in, "Wow, you are fucking incredible."

  I laugh, "No, I didn't do anything. You all got her here by being there. She still has a lot to deal with, but I don't have any doubt that she will be okay. Now I'm going to shoo everyone home so she’ll feel comfortable enough to come out here and talk to us. Then I’m going to eat some pie if there is any left. After that, I’m going to read to her when she’s ready for bed before I go home.”

  I feel him pull me into a strong embrace. I am bubbling with excitement and anticipation of another kiss, but it doesn't come. He just holds me tightly against his firm body and whispers, "Thank you, Brooke." in my ear before slowly pulling away.

  We both walk into the di
ning room and engage in small talk while Trevor and Alex finish their desserts. After they finish, I tell them it’s time to leave, but they aren’t at all happy when I tell them I’ll be home later after I put Gabby down. I don’t care at all about the scowls they’re sending my way or Dylan’s. All I know is I want them gone so that Gabby will come out.

  After they leave, I tell the others that Gabby spoke and what we spoke about. I caution them about saying anything about the accident, so they don’t send her back to silence. After about 30 minutes Gabby comes to the living room carrying her empty plates with Toby following along right behind her. Dylan takes her dishes, and Gabby comes to where I’m sitting on the couch. The rest of us carry on talking about dinner, and I’m hoping Gabby will speak up. She doesn’t disappoint.

  “Thank you for my dessert, Brooke.” Her voice is rusty from not being used, but I notice it’s stronger than when she spoke to me in the bedroom.

  “You’re welcome, Gabby. Did you like the rest of your dinner?”

  She nods and smiles. “I gave Toby some bites too.”

  Dylan walks back and sits beside me on the couch and reaches over to tickle her. “You fed Toby Brooke’s turkey?” She giggles and moves closer to him. I can feel tears stinging my eyes. I look up at the rest of the group. Even Jax is speechless. He meets my gaze and gives me a nod of approval, and I smile back.

  The other three move closer to their sister who’s on the floor. Luke reaches for Toby and pulls him in his lap, and Gabby laughs even louder when the dog attacks his face. Then all four of the kids are on the floor rough housing with him. While they play, the three of us continue to visit. Dylan doesn’t mention anything about the run in with Trevor to Jax, which I find odd because he and Dylan are best friends, and Jax and Trevor have been hanging. Oh well, it must be a guy thing. That’s not to say I’m letting it go. I plan on having words with Trevor and Alex about their behavior.

  A couple of hours of visiting and playing and Gabby is finally getting sleepy. She didn’t say anything else to anyone, but everyone is being great about it and not trying to force it. They are just basking in the glow of the few words she has spoken. It’s just a huge change, and it’s been a long day for her as well as the others emotionally, and I’m sure they’re ready to call it a night. After a day of cooking, I’m even ready to call it a night. Gabby comes to me and takes my hand to follow her, but I want Dylan to be there as well. “Can, your brother come too since he’ll be reading to you every night?”