Chapter 6 - Thanksgiving Again
Victor's arrest exposed more than anyone expected.
Within six months, twenty-three people were charged in connection with his operations.
Mercer Home and Living survived.
Barely.
Daniel removed corrupt executives and ordered independent audits across every location.
I got my job back.
Then I quit.
Daniel wasn't pleased.
"You resigned?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because everyone thinks I'm sleeping with the owner."
He nearly choked on his coffee.
"You're not."
"Exactly."
"Then why quit?"
"Because I accepted another job."
"Where?"
"Corporate."
Daniel stared.
"What?"
"Customer experience director."
"Who hired you?"
"Your board."
"My board?"
"They apparently like employees who publicly argue with the CEO."
Daniel leaned back.
"This feels like a conspiracy."
"It probably is."
Over the next months, something unexpected happened.
Daniel became part of our lives.
Not dramatically.
Slowly.
Tuesday dinners.
School concerts.
Saturday grocery runs where he discovered Lily could manipulate him into buying almost anything.
One evening, I caught them whispering beside the cereal aisle.
"No," I said.
Lily froze.
Daniel looked innocent.
"She hasn't asked anything."
"You have chocolate cereal behind your back."
He looked down.
"So I do."
"Put it back."
He obeyed.
Lily whispered, "You're supposed to be a crime boss."
Daniel whispered back, "Your mother scares me."
"I heard that."
"That was intentional."
By October, Daniel stopped traveling with four guards everywhere.
By November, he could make pancakes without setting off the smoke detector.
Then Thanksgiving came again.
This time, my oven worked.
Daniel arrived carrying three pies.
Lily opened the door.
"You're late."
"By two minutes."
"Still late."
"I brought pie."
"You're forgiven."
He stepped inside.
I was in the kitchen.
For a moment, he simply watched me.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Daniel."
He removed his coat.
"I was remembering last Thanksgiving."
"The diner?"
"The empty table."
My smile faded slightly.
"You almost left."
"I know."
"Why?"
He looked toward Lily, who was setting plates.
"Because watching families together hurt."
Then he looked at me.
"And staying alone hurt less."
"Did it?"
"No."
He reached inside his jacket.
For one ridiculous second, I thought he had brought me jewelry.
Instead, he pulled out a wrinkled orange card.
DANIEL — OUR TABLE.
"You kept it."
"I told her I would."
The corners were bent.
The crayon had faded.
He had obviously carried it often.
Then he produced the second card.
DANIEL — STILL OUR TABLE.
I swallowed.
"You carry them?"
"Every day."
"Why?"
"Because sometimes I forget."
"Forget what?"
"That I have somewhere to go."
I couldn't answer.
Lily appeared.
"Are you two going to kiss or should I keep waiting?"
"Lily!"
"What? It's been a year."
Daniel laughed.
I covered my face.
Then he took my hand.
"She's got a point."
"Don't encourage her."
"Too late."
He kissed me.
Softly.
Carefully.
When we separated, Lily made a disgusted noise.
"Okay. I changed my mind."
Daniel smiled.
May you like
"Too late."
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