Chapter 30- Happy Thanksgiving
"Can you believe how fast this year has gone, Josh?" Maya caressed her ever growing belly. Josh laughed lightly.
"Says you, love. For me, this year cannot end fast enough." Josh stood up to kiss Maya's belly. "I can't wait to meet him." Maya grabbed Josh's hand as he was walking toward the kitchen.
"Josh, can you help me up? I can't seem to do this on my own anymore." Maya laughed at herself as she attempted to roll off the couch. Josh held out his hand and braced for Maya's weight as she steadied herself. He walked behind her as they both walked toward the kitchen. He couldn't help but notice that she had developed a sort of waddle when she walked. Maya stopped at the wall calendar and marked off today's date. Today made 7 months that Maya had been carrying their child. Josh swelled with pride. He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her neck.
"I love you Maya Hart. More than you will ever realize." He whispered lightly in her ear. She turned to face him and kissed his beautiful lips.
"I love you, too Josh. So very much." Maya replied, pulling away from his kiss and smiling. Two months seemed like a lifetime away to meet their precious baby. She realized that they had a ton of things left to do until that day. Currently, they did not even own a box of diapers. Maya groaned and explained this to Josh.
"Shopping day, then?" Josh suggested. Maya contemplated for a moment. Frowning, she shook her head.
"Don't you work today?" Maya asked. Josh shook his head.
"Manager gave me the day off because it has been slow." Josh explained. Maya's face brightened.
"Shopping day!" she exclaimed and clapped excitedly. Since the doctor told her to take it easy, she had not been able to work and Riley was bringing her work from school. Riley was starting to act really strange, but Maya just figured it was more jealousy and promised her that they would hang out this weekend. Today though, Maya was getting out of the house.
When they reached the Babies & Boogers department store, Josh retrieved a motorized cart for Maya to use while they shopped. He didn't see any reason to risk Maya or the baby's health. As they rolled around the baby store, they made a sort of wishlist of items to buy later. Among those items was a beautiful white oak crib to toddler bed with teddy bears carved into the wood and a running stroller with room for a diaper bag in the back and storage at the bottom. While they were there, they also bought some baby things to take home right then like diapers, bottles and blankets. Though they were only there for an hour, Maya was exhausted by the time they emerged from the store.
"What a day, right hon?" Maya remarked. Josh, holding her hand on the way to the car, nodded in agreement.
"Quite a day indeed." Josh replied. The drive home was quiet, but peaceful. Maya took a short nap until they got home. When they pulled in the driveway, Maya woke with a start. Alarmed, Josh looked at her, concerned.
"Josh, I completely forgot! Thanksgiving is in two days and we have not even begun to prepare." Maya exclaimed. Josh grabbed her hand and squeezed lightly.
"You did forget, didn't you?" Josh reminded her. "We aren't cooking this year. Everyone is going out for dinner to a buffet." Sighing with relief, Maya smiled.
"Pregnancy brain, I'm sorry." Maya apologized. Josh patted her knee.
"No need to apologize, Maya. You are preparing a life. You have enough on your plate. Relax, baby."
"Ok, can we just pause for a moment before all of us carnivores start sucking the meat off these bones?" Alan Matthews stood up to get everyone's attention. Everyone at the table turned to him and went silent. "I know we are not a deeply religious family, but I think we need to take a moment and thank God that we are here together as a family." Everybody nodded in agreement and joined hands.
"Grandpa, can I lead the Thanksgiving prayer?" Everyone turned in Riley's direction, shocked. She had not said a word the whole dinner.
"Of course, Riley. I would be honored to give up the lead and let you take over." Alan said gently, beaming with pride.
"Dear God," Riley began, "Thank you so much for laying this food before us today. Thank you for giving us another year to be thankful for. Good times and bad, it is good to know that you Lord, and family will always be there. Thank you for the opportunity to praise you each and every day. Amen." The room was silent when Riley finished.
"That was beautiful Riley. Thank you." Amy replied, with tears in her eyes. Riley smiled back and nodded.
"Amen." The family said in unison.
"Before we start eating, I just want to say one thing." Alan continued. "I just want to say Happy Thanksgiving and I can't wait to see our brand-new grandchild in the next few months." He gestured with his glass of soda toward Maya and Josh as the rest of the family clapped excitedly.
As everyone started eating and having their own conversations amongst themselves, Maya looked around the room and her heart filled with love, realizing that her family was much bigger than it was a year ago. Her smile faltered slightly when she noticed that Riley was not so much eating as she was pushing her food around her plate. Knowing Riley, she only did this when she was upset or nervous about something. Concerned about Riley, Maya followed her when she went back up to the buffet to "refill" her plate. She cornered by the sweet potato bar.
"Riley." Maya called out. She was either being ignored or it was too loud. Maya moved closer and said her name a little louder.
"Riley." she repeated. Riley jumped at the sound of her name. She whirled around and came face to face with Maya.
"Maya. How have you been?" Riley feigned interest. Maya crossed her arms over her belly.
"Cut the pleasantries, Riley. What is going on with you?" Maya, concerned, placed a hand on Riley's shoulder. Riley opened her mouth to make up an excuse, but immediately closed it. She was tired of lying. She was tired of pretending. Riley was just plain tired. She sighed in resignation and hung her head. Maya's concern was mounting.
"Riles? Is something actually wrong? Please talk to me. You don't eat anymore, and you dress like you just stopped caring. You wore sweatpants to Thanksgiving dinner. You are always sick, and-" Maya stopped, the realization suddenly dawning on her.
"Riley? Are you-?" She didn't need to finish the question. The guilty look on Riley's face told her everything. "Riley, why didn't you say anything to me? I am obviously in the same boat. I could help you." Riley, still looking at the floor, shook her head. Maya saw a small tear fall from Riley's cheek to her shoe.
"Why? I thought we were friends. I thought we were sisters." Maya asked, confused. Riley lifted her head, her eyes narrowing.
"Yeah? Well, right now, you are the golden child and everything revolves around you and the baby. There just isn't room in your life for more of the same." Riley replied shortly and walked back to the table without her refill. Before she reached the table, she quickly wiped the stray tears and put on a fake smile. Maya was shocked at the brazen boldness of Riley's words. She was hurt that Riley would think that there was no room for her in Maya's life. Speechless, she walked back to the table.
"Is everything okay, Maya?" Josh whispered in her ear. Maya looked pointedly at Riley who looked back at Maya, expecting the bomb to be dropped right here and now.
"Yeah, Josh. Everything is fine." Maya picked up her fork. "Just a little girl talk. Right, Riley?" Shocked that Maya had kept her secret, Riley nodded.
"Yeah, girl talk." Riley replied, quietly. The girls finished their dinner in awkward silence, the rest of the family oblivious to the awkwardness between them. Everybody except for Shawn.
When they got home, Shawn took Maya aside to find out what had happened. Concerned for both Maya and Riley, he sat Maya down at the kitchen table.
"Maya, what really happened at dinner tonight?" Shawn asked. Maya looked at him, not wanting to give up Riley's secret.
"I think it is just more jealousy. Of me and my situation." Maya lied. Shawn, suspiciously eyed Maya and shook his head.
"No, Maya. I think there is something you are not saying. I think there is more to it than that." Shawn prodded for more information.
"If you want anymore details, you need to talk to Riley. And that is all I am saying about that. We may be fighting, but I am still holding up Girl Code." Maya explained. Shawn laughed and shook his head.
"Girl Code?" he asked, incredulously. "That is void if the other person is in danger." Still, Maya was tight-lipped. "Okay, Maya, but if you have any more information you would like to share, I'll be here." He stood up and kissed the top of her head. "Good night, Maya."
"Good Night, Dad." Maya called after him, heading to bed herself. Maybe things would be better tomorrow. Everything looks better in the light of a new day, right?