Enter Player Name: Riley

I yawned against Noah's chest. The way his fingertips slid up and down my back, just barely touching it, made it hard not to want to close my eyes.

Noah had wanted to take me out on a date today. As he put it, 'our first day out of the booty call zone demanded a special night out.' Sadly, I had to spend my afternoon helping Mikey with homework. So, when Noah asked me to come over after Mikey had gone to bed, I was surprised to be met with a candle-light dinner. God, the man could cook.

After dinner, we decided to 'watch' a movie. It was safe to say we didn't do much watching.

"How long will you be able to stay tonight?" Noah asked as he fixed the blanket, making sure to put it over my bare shoulders.

"I could probably stay for another hour if you want to try actually watching that movie this time," I answered. The movie was currently paused at the halfway point.

"You were the one that got all handsy." He smirked down at me, a smug smile adorned his face.

"As if your eyes weren't eating me up," I said while reaching for the remote. Once I hit play, I put it back on the table before returning to Noah's arm.

He cleared his throat, sending vibrations down his chest as he readied to speak. "I did actually want to talk to you about something."

"What about?" I asked, half paying attention to him and half trying to remember what this movie was about—something about a girl trying to find her husband's killer.

"So, I met with my mother this morning." The nervousness in his voice put me on edge.

I stare at him, warily, "okayyy...and?"

"She wants to meet you. Properly this time."

"Ummmm..." I muttered while I tried to process his words.

"So she wants you and your brothers to come over for Thanksgiving dinner and spend the weekend over. That way, she can get to know you guys better." He rubbed the back of his neck nervously as he spoke.

"I don't think that is a good idea." I pulled away from his chest. "No offense, Noah, but your mom was very rude. I understand why, but I still don't want that near my brother."

"It will be different, I promise. I spoke with her and explained things. She was far more understanding after she had time to calm down. But, she is still worried. I think meeting you and your brothers will settle her concerns."

"It is also just too soon and stressful, Noah. We just started officially dating yesterday."

Tense lines formed on his forehead. "I know, but my mom means a lot to me. I don't want there to be bad blood between you and her." He threw me a puppy look. And with those damn green eyes. "I would like this to clear up sooner rather than later."

I signed in defeat. This was clearly important. The times he had spoken about his mom came to mind. She sounded like quite an extraordinary woman. So, maybe it wouldn't be so bad.

"Fine." I reluctantly agreed.

"On the bright side. My dad will be there, maybe you can use that as an opportunity to talk to him?"

"Yes. You are right. I'm still dreading your mom, though. God, I need a drink." I grunted as I buried my face into his chest. I could feel my stomach and chest constricting uncomfortably.

"I think you have an alcohol problem, Cream Puff."

--------------------------

I woke with a smile. In an instant, excitement transformed into dread at the realization of what day tomorrow was hit me. I tried to put all the nervousness about meeting Noah's mom away and focus on today.

Today will be a day of fun and excitement.

The holidays were rolling in, which meant I had some free time from work. Today, Jay, Mikey, and I would get to celebrate an early Thanksgiving with our parents, and tomorrow we will be heading off to spend the rest of the week at Noah's. I was so glad to finally be able to talk to his dad. At least I could use that as motivation to overcome the hesitation. I hoped he would be able to suggest something. I missed my mom so much, I just wanted to be able to hug her once more. To wake up and have some morning coffee with her. See her judgingly shake her head. Anything, really. Anything more than a static computer image of her face.

Finally, I forced myself off the bed and headed to freshen up. Soon after, I made my way to the living room. Unexpectedly, Mikey and Jay were already up.

"You guys ready for today!" I asked, letting excitement resonate through my voice. The holidays were always special in this household. Despite the untraditional nature of this Thanksgiving, I was determined to make it just as special.

"Yep, we were just waiting for you to get started," Jay said as he pulled out his laptop.

"Okay, set up the video call, and I'll start washing all the stuff. Mikey, wanna help?"

"Ready for duty." Mikey saluted me, like a soldier heading to battle before he ran ahead of me into the kitchen.

"Mom is on your laptop, and dad is on mine," Jay informed us. "Mom says she wants to prep with you guys."

"Can you bring the laptop over, my hands are wet," I said. I poured more and more roots into the sink bath that I had prepared. Mikey stood on a little stepping stool as he swirled them around, helping with rinsing off all the skins' dirt.

"Hola mija!" my mom screams loudly through the computer speaker.

"Hey, mom. We are just getting started on washing the roots."

"Yo tambien, let me put some music on, and then we can get started." Mom disappeared for a couple of seconds, soon after the sound of bachata came on. I snorted when she came back into the screen. Hands held high, with a knife in hand, dancing and singing to the rhythm of the song.

My hips started moving as well, bumping into Mikey playfully, almost sending him off balance. I grabbed a knife, and like my mom, began to peel them one by one.

"So I got a call from Mr. Ramirez. He said he saw you pick up Mikey with a handsome guy," my mom said. A curious smile graced her face.

My cheeks flushed red at the memory of that day. A silly smile making its way onto my own face. "Umm yeah. What did he tell you?"

"MOM! Noah is my new big bro! Riley said so!"

"I did not say that!" I tried to defend myself, causing Mikey to pout as he retreated from the screen.

"Is he a new boyfriend, mija?" My mom asked.

"QUE!" I heard my dad scream. "Mija, who is this boy? Why have we not met him yet?" My dad said, as he disappeared from Jay's computer screen and appeared next to my mom.

Damn you, Mikey! I cursed. "Ummm yeah. Sort off. It's new."

"Mija, don't tell me you are in one of those relationships. What do they call it, amigos con beneficio? Aii Dios mio. What is father Gabriel going to say?"

"Mom, we are not friends with benefits!" My face was currently hotter than a jalapeno. For fucks sake, she was partially kind of right. That was precisely what Noah previously was. A friend with benefits. I guess I never stop to think about it like that.

"Now remember mija, if you give him the milk. He won't buy the cow."

"Okay, I got it." Could lightning strike me now? I said, "Jeez, can we not talk about me giving milk to anyone?"

"I like him if that means anything," Jay interjected, joining us by the sink. "Seems to like Riley a lot."

"What makes you say that?" I asked, wondering where Jay was getting this observation from.

"Well, he brought you over one night after you fell asleep while working on code at his place. The man tucked you in like he was putting away treasure," Jay said.

I bit my lip, trying to stop the smile that wanted to make its way to my face. I remember that night. I had been helping him fix some code for a demo he was working on.

"Aiii mija, le gusta mucho el muchacho?" my mom asked, a silly smile on her face.

"I think so, mom. I think I really like him." The blush extended from my neck to my ears. It was weird saying it out loud. But, I don't think I could hide it anymore.

"Well, I hope to meet him soon. Any boy that makes my daughter smile like that is welcome." My mom said happily.

In contrast, my dad grunted. "I'll have to meet this boy, make sure he has good intentions."

"Sure, Dad." I rolled my eyes and brushed off his request. It would probably take some time before that.

"Let's start seasoning the meat, or we will never be done," my mother instructed. Sending all of us into autopilot. Taking the roles that we would typically take. Except for this time, it was through a screen.

Despite the occasional lagging screen, we made it work. We cooked as a family. Like we had many times before. Laughing and joking in between. It reminded me of what I was working so hard to maintain. I loved my family. My familia. And I would do anything for them.

"Okay, sancocho is ready. Jay and Mike set the table while I slice some avocado," I screamed across the room. It had been a couple of hours, but finally, it was done.

I served the plate. Each of us took a seat, my laptop sat at the top of the table. My mom and dad are sitting together.

"Should we say our prayers?" My mother asked.

Normally, I would scuff at that question. But today I just wanted to enjoy this moment with them. So I took Mikey's hand with my left and placed my right hand on the computer. It earned a chuckle from Jay, who, at the other end, did the same.

My mother's lower lip trembled slightly before she took a deep breath and smiled. She did the same, held my father's hand with one, and placed her right hand on the computer.

"We thank you, lord. For allowing us to spend this time as a family. Even though we are apart, we remain united by your grace. We ask you to bless this food, but more importantly, to bless our three wonderful children. To give them the strength to carry on through these times. To give them hope that one day we will be reunited."

I opened my eyes when my mother's words got caught on her though, a stream of tears ran down her right eye.

"I ask of you, my lord. That this lawyer, my daughter, will be meeting can help us. Let him be an angel that can reunite us. Please lord, let us be one —"

The sound turned from the saddened pleads of my mother to the ear-scratching sound of statics.

"Plese---

...--- ...---- se --                                                  -- lord..----- ---.----

                              ------------ ....... ------le----

-t-...------------------------

                                                                                                                                   ---u--s--

--------be----- ------- ---- --- --- ---------- ---

My eyes snapped open to see the frozen screeching screen. My mom's face and voice phased in and out. Until eventually, there was nothing.

Nothing but the frozen silhouette of my mother's and dad's dispirited faces. A motionless snippet of time. A reminder. That as much as we wanted to pretend. There was a reality.

And reality was not always kind.

"Umm. I'm sure it's just some bad connection, they will be back soon. Let's wait a bit to see if the connection comes back."

So, we waited there. All sitting still. No one made contact. We just watched as the steam rolled off the stew.

Until eventually, the steam disappeared................................

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Leaving only behind a cold stale stew.....................................................