Torment - Lauren Kate [125]
“Mmm,” Roland agreed. “They really bring me back to a simpler time.”
Luce’s mother began reciting the recipe while Luce’s dad went on about local produce. Luce was trying to enjoy this rare time with her family, and Callie leaning in to whisper that everyone seemed pretty cool, especially Arriane and Miles—but there were too many other situations to monitor. Luce felt like she might have to defuse a bomb at any moment.
A few minutes later, passing the stuffing around the table a second time, Luce’s mother said, “You know, your father and I met when we were right around your age.”
Luce had heard the story thirty-five hundred times before.
“He was the quarterback at Athens High.” Her mother winked at Miles. “The athletic ones drove the girls wild in those days, too.”
“Yep, the Trojans were twelve and two my varsity year.” Luce’s dad laughed, and she waited for his token line. “I just had to show Doreen I wasn’t as much of a tough guy off the field.”
“I think it’s great what a strong marriage you two have,” Miles said, grabbing yet another of Luce’s mother’s famous yeast rolls. “Luce is lucky to have parents who are so honest and open with her and each other.”
Luce’s mom beamed.
But before she could respond, Daniel butted in. “There’s much more to love than that, Miles. Wouldn’t you say, Mr. Price, that a real relationship is more than just easy fun and games? That it takes some effort?”
“Of course, of course.” Luce’s father patted his lips with his napkin. “Why else would they call marriage a commitment? Sure, love has its ups and downs. That’s life.”
“Well said, Mr. P.,” Roland said, with a soulfulness beyond his smooth seventeen-year-old-looking face. “God knows, I’ve seen some ups and downs.”
“Oh, come on,” Callie chimed in, to Luce’s surprise. Poor Callie, taking everyone here at face value. “You guys make it sound so heavy.”
“Callie’s right,” Luce’s mom said. “You kids are young and hopeful, and you really should just be having fun.”
Fun. So that was the goal right now? Was fun even possible for Luce? She glanced at Miles. He was smiling. “I’m having fun,” he mouthed.
That made all the difference to Luce, who looked around the table again and realized that despite everything, she was having fun too. Roland was making a show of tonguing a shrimp at Molly, who laughed for possibly the first time in history. Cam tried doting on Callie, even offering to butter her roll, which she declined with raised eyebrows and a shy shake of her head. Shelby ate like she was training for a competition. And someone was still playing footsie with Luce underneath the table. She met Daniel’s violet eyes. He winked, giving her butterflies.
There was something remarkable about this gathering. It was the liveliest Thanksgiving they’d had since Luce’s grandmother died and the Prices stopped going to the Louisiana bayou for the holiday. So this was her family now: all these people, angels, demons, and whatever else they were. For better or worse, complicated, treacherous, full of ups and downs, and even at times fun. Just like her dad had said: That was life.
And for a girl who had had some experience with dying, life—period—was the thing for which Luce was suddenly overwhelmingly thankful.
“Well, I’ve had just about enough,” Shelby announced after a few more minutes. “You know. Food. Everyone else done? Let’s wrap this up.” She whistled and made a lasso gesture with her finger. “I’m eager to get back to that reform school we all go to—um—”
“I’ll help clear the table.” Gabbe jumped up and started stacking plates, dragging a reluctant Molly into the kitchen with her.
Luce’s mom was still shooting her furtive glances, trying to see the gathering through her daughter’s eyes. Which was impossible. She’d latched on to the Daniel idea pretty quickly and kept looking back and forth between the two of them. Luce wanted a chance to show her mom that what she and Daniel had was solid and wonderful and unlike anything else in the world, but there were too many other people around. Everything that should have