I had not wanted to come. But Mom had called three times. “It’s Thanksgiving,” she had said. “Don’t be dramatic.”
So I came. I brought pie. I brought Lily. I brought the folder in my purse that I had planned to deal with after the holiday.
Then Lily reached for a roll before my father said grace.
Mark’s oldest son laughed. “Grandpa said wait, dummy.”
Lily froze.
“She’s five,” I said quietly.
Mark leaned back. “And you’re thirty-two, Claire. Still making excuses.”
The room went still in that dange:rous family way, where everyone waited to see whether I would swallow it again.
Dad says, “Your brother is right. You’ve always expected everyone to clean up after your choices.”
“My choices?” I asked.
Mom whispered, “Claire, not today.”
But Dad continued. “You show up here with a child, no husband, no steady life, and you expect sympathy.”
Lily’s small fingers found mine under the table.
I stood. “We’re leaving.”
Mark laughed. “Finally.”
I helped Lily into her coat while my mother stared at her napkin. No one stopped me.
At the front door, Mark followed us with his wineglass in hand. “Don’t come back,” he said.
Dad’s voice came from behind him, colder than the November air. “The holiday’s better without you.”