Chapter 44

It took Graham thirty minutes to convince my parents.

I was surprised. It took him longer than I’d expected.

In the beginning, I thought he would fail.

He brought presents and turned his charm on the moment he arrived at my place for dinner. He told my parents he understood how important Thanksgiving was to my family, but he was hoping I could spend it with his mother and him instead.

He explained his strained relationship with his mother. He explained his living arrangement (living with his father and barely seeing his mother since she lived in another city) to my parents. How much it pained him, especially after seeing the relationship between my parents and me. He longed for that. In fact, he was attending a nearby college so he would be able to visit his mother more often.

Everything seemed to go smoothly at this point.

I believed Graham had them in the palm of his hand.

I was wrong.

Mom was moved but wasn’t convinced my spending Thanksgiving with him would help.

“Graham, it is sweet and touching, but Thanksgiving is to spend with your family, and I think you need this time with your mother. No distractions,” she offered.

Graham wasn’t unsettled by my mom’s reluctance to agree. He kept pushing.

He nodded. “I totally agree with you, Mrs. Miller.” His voice was soft. “I would if it was this town, where I could go someplace to…release everything. To have a reprieve. However, it is a strange place. I don’t know anyone. I know that with Hazel there, I wouldn’t feel lonely as I patch my relationship with my mother. Hazel is my greatest support. If I could drive back just to see and talk to her, I would. But I can’t. It’d be—excuse my language—a hell of a weekend without her there. Do you understand? I’m sure you seek courage and strength from your husband, but he’s also a place to let things go and cry.”

Mom was taken aback by that. She digested his words. Slowly, understanding dawned on her. She looked at Dad and they exchanged a meaningful look.

At that moment, Graham had managed to convince my parents.

Mom agreed. And since Dad did everything my mom said, he was quick to give his blessing too.

“Thank you again, Mr. and Mrs. Miller. You have no idea what this means to me. I promise to keep Hazel safe,” Graham said by the end of the night.

They both smiled. “We know you will.”

“Happy early Thanksgiving to you two. Thank you for raising such an extraordinary girl. She’s the best.”

Dad chuckled. If he could, he would drive me to the nearest church and walk me down the aisle. That was how much he liked Graham.

I snorted at Dad’s expression and Graham smiled next to me.

“Cute snort,” he commented, and I glared at him playfully.

Then Graham dragged me out of the kitchen and to the main door by the hand. He squeezed it when we reached the entrance. He smiled down at me.

“Looks like we are spending the weekend together,” he whispered. “I’ll pick you up on Wednesday after school.” He leaned over and pecked my lips like he couldn’t resist it. “See you then, baby.” He pressed our lips harder this time, stealing one last taste before leaving.

He opened the door and left me unbalanced.

***

Around five p.m., Graham’s car idled next to my house. I gave a quick goodbye to my parents and promised them to celebrate the official Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday when I returned.

As I marched down the sidewalk to the road, my hands got clammy, and my pulse accelerated. I was about to spend four entire days with Graham. And his mother.

I was a bit nervous.

Graham climbed out of the car when I approached him. He grabbed my bag and smiled down at me.

“Hey,” he whispered.

“St. Claire.” I nodded.

Mom peeked out of the door and waved at Graham. “Hey, Graham!” Graham’s gaze went over my shoulder, and he grinned. “Have a good weekend. Hazel, send me a message when you arrive safely, okay?”

I craned my neck to look at her and nodded. Graham strode to the trunk to pack my bag but not before opening my door. I climbed in.

A few seconds later, Graham hopped in and started the engine. He turned to me, and his face lit up in a grin. He grabbed my hand and kissed it softly.

“Thank you for coming.”

“I’ve been told I’m the best,” I joked.

“Wow, and to think not long ago, you brushed off my compliments.”

I laughed at that and kissed him harder.

“I created a monster.” He shook his head mischievously. I laughed harder. Once I sobered up, I found Graham staring at me.

“What?”

“I brought you this.” He shifted in his seat, taking a folded paper out of his back pocket.

I raised my eyebrows and grabbed it.

It read, ~You’re my everything.~

It wasn’t a love confession, but it felt like one. I wondered if he loved me, because each day I was falling back in love with him.