Someday Soon chapter 14
The cafe was closed for thanksgiving, and class was canceled for the holiday, so Josh's whole morning and afternoon was free until 4 o'clock when he would have to show up to his brothers house for thanksgiving dinner. His parents were staying in Philadelphia for the holiday with Morgan, and Josh wasn't able to go home for the weekend as he was one of the on call RA's for the weekend. Cory had said Josh was more than welcome to join in at dinner at his house. Auggie was thrilled that his uncle was coming over for dinner. Josh often had at least one dinner a week at his brother's apartment, but Auggie never got any less excited to have his uncle around. With Maya around the apartment all the time, Auggie often felt out numbered by all the women in his life, and loved nothing more than to have Josh around to goof around with.
In fact Josh had half expected to be tackled by by his nephew the second he walked through the door of Cory and Topanga's apartment. Instead he got a different type of greeting. Once Josh walked through the door at a quarter to four o'clock he was immediately charged by a yipping overly excited dog who was jumping up and down around his ankles, wagging his tail happily. Josh leaned down and scooped the dog up who quickly began to lick his face.
" At least someone's happy to see me." Josh joked as he continued to hold the overly excited dog.
"My brother!" Cory exclaimed, walking over to wrap his arm around his younger brother's shoulder, greeting him as if they hadn't just seen each other the other day. Josh clapped his brother on the shoulder and waved a greeting to Topanga and Shawn who were in the kitchen already hard at work on the thanksgiving dinner.
"There's my baby." Maya said, emerging for the back of the apartment with Riley and Making a b line for the dog. She stopped by Josh's side to scratch behind her dog's ears.
" and he's holding my dog." Maya joked, lifting the dog from Josh's arms as he willingly handed him to her. Josh laughed, as did several other people in the room. Not Shawn however, who was remembering the previous years thanksgiving and the interaction he had witnessed between Maya and Josh. That coupled with the twos reactions to Maya returning from france, Shawn was sceptical of the relationship between the two. He had been protective of Maya before her mother's death, but now that Katy was gone, Shawn knew that he would do absolutely anything to protect his daughter.
Maya walked over to the couch and Josh followed her as they both sat down next to Riley. Moments later Auggie came running out from his room and sprung onto Josh's lap with excitement. Auggies arrival spooked the dog on Maya's lap who jumped with fright and jumped down from the couch to find under the love seat.
" Does the mutt have a name yet?" Josh asked watching as the little dog tried to squish his way farther under the chairs. Maya sighed, as if this topic was a very taxing thought
" Not yet. At the shelter they just called him A35 to keep track of him in the system. He's got such a distinct little face, i've got to find a name that fits just right."
" I'm still a fan of eric." The senator announced emerging from the bathroom by the kitchen. Maya rolled her eyes and shook her head at her best friends uncle.
The dog had left from under the couch and was now in the kitchen, sniffing around Topanga and Shawns feet as they cooked. Topanga took a step back and nearly stepped on the dog who yipped and went running back to the couch and jumped on Maya's lap.
"Jesus!" Topanga exclaimed, frightened by the dog.
"A dog Shawn? Really?" Topanga asked in slight frustration. Shawn shrugged his shoulders
"Desperate times call for desperate measures." Shawn explained simply as an explanation.
Josh threw Maya a knowing look and she quickly shushed him, swatting at his knee before going back to petting the dog in her lap. Josh smiled and shook her head at her.
….
Around an hour later the group was settling around the dinner table and before they began to dish out food they went around the table and took part in the tradition of sharing what they were thankful for. Maya bit her lip as she listened to everyone around the table share their thanks. It had been a hard year for her, and although she knew she had much to be thankful for, in that moment all she could think about was what she had lost.
When it was her turn Maya took a deep breath and tried to calm her heavy beating heart as she spoke.
" After everything i've lost this year, i'm really grateful for everyone i've got left." Maya said simply looking down at her empty dinner plate. Shawn, who was sitting beside her, wrapped an arm around her, pulled her close to him and placed a kiss on her forehead.
After everyone had shared, they all dug into the mountains of food on the table in front of them. There was a huge turkey, stuffing, mash potato, brussel sprouts, carrots and peas. There were hot buttered rolls and near over flowing boats of gravy. Everyone loaded up their plates and talked with their mouths full as they laughed and shared, a food fight nearly breaking out between Auggie, Eric, and Cory before Topanga broke out her death glare and broke that up rather quickly.
Dinner slowly disbrust as everyone felt tired and sluggish from their big dinner. Everyone looked for a comfortable spot in the apartment to crash out for minute. Maya was lounging on the couch with the dog in her lap. She looked around and didn't see Riley anywhere. Maya sluggishly got off the couch and headed back towards Rileys room. She knocked on the door and waited for Riley to give her permission to enter. After a second Riley called for her to come in and Maya pushed open the door.
"What's up Kitten?" Maya asked, slightly concerned as she saw Riley sitting by the bay window, her phone in her hand, looking slightly upset. Riley shook her head as if to clear her thoughts.
" It's nothing. Lucas is in Texas this weekend and he just… it's nothing." Riley said not meeting Maya's eye.
" Riles.." Maya began going to sit down next to her friend. However before Maya could ask Riley anything else the bedroom door opened once again. Eric stuck his head into the room and looked around until he met the young girl's eyes.
" Game time.' He announced almost as if he was summoning them. Riley was about to protest but eric put up a finger to silence her.
" Games. Pies. Living room. No exceptions." Eric said, opening the door wider and gesturing for the girls to exit.
" Let's go!" eric exclaimed not moving until both girls were walking away from the window and towards the living room.
Everyone gathered around the living room a collection of games on the coffee table. People began to argue about what to play when it was decided that they should pair into teams of two and play catch phrase. Auggie had crashed out already and was sleeping soundly on the carpet, so they were left with an odd number. Eric volunteered to referee the matches rather than participate as he knew that the competitive nature in this family needed to be closely monitored and reigned in so complete chaos would ensue.
The next struggle came when it came to picking who should be on whose teams.
" Oh no!" Topanga said looking at Shawn and Cory who had immediately jumped together to announce their partnership.
" You two can't be together, that's unfair to the rest of us who don't share a brain." Topanga stated with her hands on her hips. Cory pouted while Shawn got defensive.
" Well then you two can't be partners either!" Shawn spat, gesturing between Topanga and her husband. Cory gave him a look.
" Are you kidding? I never know what she's thinking." Cory stated, staring at her friend exasperated.
" Well if i can't be partners with Cory, than Maya can't be partners with Riley." Shawn said defiantly. Maya and Riley, who had been sitting together and chatting quietly, heads shot up in anger.
"Hey!" Maya protested shooting a glare at her step father.
" Sorry kid." Shawn said, shrugging his shoulders.
" It's only fair." Maya shook her head at him.
" Alright listen up." Eric began taking charge of the room.
" Here's how it's going to be. Riley with Cory, Shawn with Topanga, Maya and Josh. No buts!" Eric said, cutting Topagana off before she had the chance to complain.
" Let the games begin!" Eric announced, slamming his hand down on the buzzer and starting the game before anyone was really ready.
…..
After an hour and several rounds of the game, nearly everyone was completely frustrated and defeated. Everyone except for Maya and Josh, who had won every single round but one. Their one failure had come when maya had sneezed during her turn and cost them a vital amount of time, costing them the round.
Everyone had gasped and stared at Maya and Josh as they dominated during their turns. They could guess what the other was explaining seconds after their partner began their explanation. Maya would make an obscure reference that no one understood but Josh would pick up on it in a single second.
Shawn and Cory exchanged exasperated looks over the table while they played, not believing that they were all being played by these teenagers.
After playing, everyone got up and started to clear up the dessert dishes and clean up the rest of the kitchen that had been left until later.
Josh was standing at the sick, scrapping the stuck on crust off a pie plate, when Shawn walked up beside him, placing dishes down next to the sink and opening the dishwasher.
" Josh" Shawn began casually.
" Shawn" Josh prompted, still scrubbing at the plate.
" I've known you your whole life. I mean i was there when you were born. You're my best friends baby brother, you're like family to me." Shawn continued.
" But you know, I have eyes. I notice things. Things between you, and someone else. Maybe something's going on, maybe something isn't." Shawn said shrugging his shoulders.
" So all i'll say is, whatever this is, don't hurt her. Remember, i grew up in a trailer park. I know how to kick somebody's ass." Shawn finished, clapping Josh on the back and walking away.
Josh stood in shock at the sink, feeling the intimidation of Shawn's words, but also fighting the urge to laugh.