Behind Blue Eyes
Copyright© 2025 by DB86
Chapter 25
They all sat down to Thanksgiving dinner around five. They barely fit around Janice’s dining room table.
Rain and Janice had been cooking their Thanksgiving dinner. They would be having stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, broccoli and cheese casserole, rolls, and cranberry sauce, along with turkey breast and gravy. It was a ridiculous amount of food.
Served dishes piled high with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and green bean casserole got passed around the table, and just as they were all salivating over their plates, Robert stood and said, “When Benji was young, we used to start every Thanksgiving meal with our gratitude. At some point we stopped, I’m not sure why. I thought it would be nice to try it again. What do you say?”
“I think that’s a good idea, Dad,” Benji said. “I don’t know why we ever stopped doing that.”
“Today is as good a day as any to start again,” Janice chimed in, encouragingly.
Robert led off, “I am thankful Benji has reunited with his mother and we can all be a family again. I’m thankful for having Janice back in my life, and this second chance at love.”
Benji looked at Janice and said, “I thank God, Mom is alive.” They all laughed at that.
“Me too!” Janice exclaimed. Everyone laughed even louder.
“I’m thankful I have a Mom and a family,” Benji concluded.
Janice beamed with pride and squeezed her son’s hand beneath the table.
Everyone else took a turn, too. Rain was grateful to have found a place to settle, and a loved one to settle with. She was also thankful for her sister. Rolf was grateful for Rain and the many ways she had changed his life for the better.
Janice cleared her throat and looked around. She couldn’t believe her eyes. She was eating Thanksgiving dinner with her family.
“I have so much to thank for. I wish you knew how excited I am for having you all here. It’s been a long, long time since I had a proper Thanksgiving and it means a lot to me,” she had some tears left, but they began to flow unchecked.
“You’re my love, Bobby. I love you,” Janice said solemnly. “I love Benji, my beautiful son,” she seemed to hold her breath for a moment as if savoring what she had said.
“Life gave me a second chance to prove myself. I am going to be the best version of myself. I want to do it right this time ... and if I don’t, I have my sister to kick my butt in the right direction,” Janice winked at Rain, and she winked back at her.
Everyone got a good chuckle out of that.
Rain lightened the mood, saying, “When are you going to admit that I know what’s best for you, Sis?”
Janice picked up a napkin and mimed it like she was going to throw it, and everyone laughed again.
They all dug into their food, and for a few seconds, Benji kept his hand locked into his mom’s. She squeezed it and gave him a grin, and then they both picked up their forks.
The food was incredible. They all gave Rain and Janice endless compliments in between big, satisfying bites.
Robert, Janice, and Benji were inseparable for the rest of the long holiday weekend. The next day, Rain and Rolf joined them again.
For the first time in her life, Janice was happy. Truly happy. Robert loved her and she loved him.
When the holidays were over, Robert and Benji went back to New York to set everything ready to move their lives to Middletown.
“I’m going to miss you,” Janice told them at the airport.
“We’ll be back as soon as we can,” he assured her. “I love you, Jan.”
“I love you with all my heart, Bobbie,” she said back.
“We’ll be back in no time.”
“You better,” Janice said, still not allowing herself to completely believe this was really happening.
Robert and Benji were extremely busy packing their belongings. The hall was stacked with rows and rows of moving boxes.
The doorbell rang and Robert went to the door. He opened the door and looked at Alistair with mild bewilderment. He frowned at his father.
“What now, father?”
“I come in peace. Can we talk?”
“You can come in, just for a second. As you can see, we are moving, the place is a mess,” he said stepping aside.
Robert stood there looking at his father with a defying look on his face. He did not offer his father a seat.
“We need to sit down and talk before things get out of control, Robert.”
“WE mean Benji and me, and WE don’t need anything from YOU. YOU are out of our lives. WE are much better this way,” Robert crossed his arms on his chest.
“I am worried that you’re throwing your life away. Moving to Middletown isn’t the best move for you, for your career, or even for Benji. Being a small-town lawyer is a bit different from being a partner in a four-story firm. You’ll get bored arguing about chickens and eggs.”
Robert looked up with a defiant expression. “I happen to like the change. Working as a lawyer in Middletown might not pay as well as it does in New York, but with my income, my family can manage to live comfortably with less stress and pressure.”
All of a sudden, a disturbing idea took shape in Robert’s mind. “How do you know about my plans? Did you have me followed?”
Guilt flickers in Alistair’s eyes, and Robert knew his suspicion was correct.
“You don’t learn, do you?” Robert snarled. “You know what? I’m done with you. Get out of here!”
Alistair was about to reply but Robert held up one hand as if to stop him. “Don’t say another word. I don’t want to hear it. I am a grown man. I’m quite capable of making my own decisions and fully intend to do so,” he replied curtly. “Out!”
“Robert, I admit I made a mistake with that girl, but you must understand...”