Friendsgiving

Jodie awoke early the next morning, she didn't need to look at a clock or her phone to know she had woken up at the same time Eric would have been getting ready for a good workout before a hard day's work. Lying in bed she slowly turned the glittering ring on her finger, it was so beautiful like something she had seen in a lifetime romantic movie, she hated to admit it but…she was happy and excited imagining their wedding day from the collage she constructed. She wanted to text Tiffany a picture of it immediately, knowing she would be the most excited person for her but knew for sure Tiffany couldn't keep her mouth shut and Lauren would find out within seconds. So instead she twisted her new engagement ring and wondered about her answer. Why did she say yes? Did she really love Adam? How could she possibly? He was a decent man and maybe even a good man but…he was still not Eric. But Eric deserved so much better than another girl who cheated on him…and one who wasn't even a real girl, one who'd never be able to give him kids or the happiness he deserved. Maybe then…she should stay with Adam? He was a very flawed human being much like her, so maybe it was better that they be together so they could help lift each other up instead of her dragging a great man down.

As the new dawn light shines and shimmers in Jodie's new ring the hands upon clock turns back and once again it is the morning Jodie left on her trip with Adam still unaware they would be engaged before they returned.

Eric's smile fades as he closes the door behind him. He had fought tooth and nail these past few months so that he and his crew could have the week off to be with their loved ones and his had sprung a business trip on him leaving him alone for the week. The conversation with his mother the previous week still left a bitter taste in his mouth.

"I'm sorry mom, I really wish I could have made it this year but…between work and Lauren I've been too busy and too broke to do anything but sleep."

"Are you sure that's all? I know you said that Jordan's room got flooded and I know how expensive that can be to fix. Lauren left her car here for me to sell, if I get enough I can send as much as I'm able your way."

"Mom, I'll be fine. And you probably won't get a lot from that old busted Honda of hers."

"I know. I just know how expensive that city can be. Especially when Jordan is having so much trouble finding a job."

"Actually…Jordan got a job a few months ago." Eric wasn't sure how to explain Jordan's situation at first and now they started dating and realizing Jodie was trans just made the prospect of explaining over the phone even harder to do.

"Well that's great! Are he and Lauren getting along?"

"... Yeah I guess."

"I was hoping to meet your new girlfriend though, and it's been too long since Jordan's been home for a visit."

"....how did-Lauren." He answered his own question before he even finished asking.

"Don't be upset with her, she was excited about this one."

"She always is."

"Does she have a reason not to be?"

"..."

"I thought so. I look forward to welcoming her to the family one day."

"Mom." Eric groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. The irony wasn't lost on him that she had welcomed Jordan into their family long ago. "Mom, I have to go. I'm meeting some friends at the gym."

"Okay sweetheart. Love you, and give my love to Lauren."

"Love you too mom."

Eric hung up the phone and wandered aimlessly around the apartment. He did indeed have friends at the gym he promised to meet today in an hour, so he didn't completely lie. Normally he wouldn't rush off the phone with her but he was always nervous about spilling the beans about Jodie when they hadn't even discussed telling her yet. He sat in front of his computer for a while mindlessly searching the web, eventually stumbling on porn as will happen if you're on the internet long enough. He briefly considered masturbation to cure his boredom but ultimately decided against it and left early for the gym where he met Vince and Aaron.

Three hours later the guys we finishing up their last sets when an idea occurred to Eric, "Hey man," he slapped Vince's knee to get his attention while he did reps on the bench, "What's goin' on at the club for Thanksgiving?"

"The usual potluck." He lowered the barbell consisting of four 45lb plates, "some of the girls will perform of course." He grunted with effort as he raised it back up and hid a smile as he finally reached his goal for the year of benching more than his own bodyweight for reps. "Why?"

"I was thinking if you guys wanted to come over to my place for Thanksgiving we could do that, have something to eat, a few beers, and watch the game."

Aaron stood over Vince holding his hands slightly under the heavy bar, ready to catch it if needed. "You got this bro. You go it. All you!" Aaron cheered Vince on, "Dude that sounds great, but I'm goin to my ma's house for Thanksgiving."

"No problem, man." Eric wiped the sweat from his face with the small hand towel he brought.

Vince placed the bar back on the rack immediately grateful to have the weight off of him. "That sounds like it might be fun. Something different at least." Vince hid his smile under his own hand towel, he loves his friends and family at the club but it was starting to wear on him and frankly he was wanting something more intimate, more familial.

That night he told Lauren she was welcome to extend the same invitation to Marc if she wished.

Two more days passed before Aaron left for his family home in Long Island and Eric spent more time after the gym hanging out with Vince, after which he would spend time with Lauren when she was home and not busy with her boyfriend. "So it'll be the four of us. That's great." He forced a weak smile on his face.

"Five. Actually."

"Five?"

"Yeah. I figured why not invite Janet too since we're having a Friendsgiving this year." Lauren shrugged and looked away, not wanting to let on that Janet had issues with her family and had nowhere to go and no plans for the holiday, and feared he'd be able to read it on her face if she let him see.

"That's great." Eric cleared his throat awkwardly, still remembering the morning after Halloween and how he saw her naked.

"Yeah, I invited Tiffany and Dr.Bob but she was going to see his family." Lauren giggled, knowing Eric probably didn't realize how serious this was for their relationship or how much the ever chipper Tiffany worried about impressing his parents.

"Oh cool."

Later that night when Lauren had gone to bed and Eric had done the same, he found himself in his empty room. He had been in this room for years now and only now realized how big and empty it could be. Normally there would be the sound of Jodie laughing and texting her friends or gently snoring as she slept. The soft little moans she made when she was having a good dream was one of his favorite noises now. But now the dark and empty room only sat there waiting, waiting for the same person he was to return.

He looked to the long eared stuffed bunny sitting on Jodie's side of the bed, "No, it's stupid." He said to the silent bunny. "We've only been dating a few months." The bed creaked under him as he sat down. He sat quietly, listening to some argument in his mind before reaching into his dresser drawer and pulling out the small velvet box. "What do you think, lil' Jodie?" He opened the small box revealing his grandmother's engagement ring, a ring he hadn't looked at in several months. "Think she'd say yes if I asked?" Eric's heart raced as he imagined asking her the moment she came home and the myriad of reactions he hoped and feared for.

Thanksgiving day finally arrived and so had their guests, Eric introduced Vince to everyone and vice versa. There was some conversation before dinner was served as they got to know each other before finally the turkey was ready. "This looks delicious!" Marc smiled hungrily.

"Thank you." The siblings said in unison then looked at one another.

"Eric helped."

"Uh, I made the turkey." He corrected.

"And I made everything else."

"Please, everyone knows the turkey is the cornerstone of a good Thanksgiving."

The friends laughed as the siblings ribbed each other while Eric cut off pieces for each of the guests.

"Well I think it's all wonderful." Marc smiled, giving Lauren a small hug and kissing her temple.

Eric rolled his eyes, "Light or dark meat?"

Dinner continued on as did the conversation and the japes and jabs the siblings sent towards one another. The group swapped stories of Thanksgivings past or fun adventures they had been on, or just the topics of the day. And for a moment Eric forgot he was lonely, but he never stopped thinking about Jodie and hoped her Thanksgiving was at least half as fun as his own.

Later after dinner everyone piled into the kitchen. All of which were trying to wash dishes, so as not to seem ungrateful, until Lauren finally shoved everyone out, "There's five people in here and two sinks! Do the math and go watch football or something." Once the men retired to the living room Janet and Lauren got to work washing dishes and putting leftovers in tin foil or Tupperware. "At least they tried." Janet smirked, "My brothers never even thought about helping clean up."

"Yeah, Eric's a pain but he's a good guy."

Janet wiped a plate clean before placing it in the dishwasher. "So I've heard." Janet looked to the living room to make sure the others were distracted. "Speaking of, I found some things."

"On the drive?"

Janet nodded, "If I'm right then he's been embezzling from the company for who knows how long."

"That's great! Well not great for the company but great! If we turn the drive over to the police he'll be sitting in prison by the end of the year!" Lauren said excitedly, happy to help free her future sister-in-law.

"We could do that or-"

"What? No or. He needs to be in prison and away from Jodie."

"He's a rich man who skimmed money from the top, at worst he'll be in a cozy little cell at club fed."

"Then what? He just gets away with it?"

"Oh absolutely not." Janet smiled sadistically, "I've got a few ideas we should discuss."