The Man Who Has No Sight (Soulless 4)

Cleo muffled her chuckle, but unfortunately, it was still audible.

Derek rolled his eyes.

“Roll your eyes again, and you’ll spend the rest of the evening in your bedroom.”

Derek didn’t test my patience again. “I’m thankful for…my school. I really like my teacher and my friends. I’m thankful that Mom and Dad live so close to each other, so I can see them both all the time. I’m thankful Grandma is here. I just wish Grandpa was too. And I’m thankful Cleo is back…because she’s my friend.”

Valerie immediately soured at that last part.

I patted him on the shoulder. “That’s better.”

“Deacon?” Mom asked.

My answer was pretty straightforward. “I’m thankful that we’re all together right now, that both Valerie and Derek are sitting at this table.” I turned to Cleo. “And that I have someone in my life who understands how important that is to me.”

Cleo only gave me a subtle smile, like she knew I’d probably say a lot more than that if I could. “I’m thankful that I get to spend Thanksgiving with all of you, because I usually spend it alone. It’s so nice to be surrounded by wonderful people…who make me feel like I belong.”

My mom’s eyes softened. Even Tucker’s did.

Valerie continued to pick at her bread.

Pria went next. “I’m thankful I found a good man.” She rested her hand on top of Tucker’s.

“And I’m grateful I found a woman with such a nice ass,” Tucker responded.

“Ooh…” Derek pointed at Tucker. “Uncle Tucker said ass…”

“What the hell, Tucker?” I barked.

“Oops, sorry.” Tucker shrugged. “It’s what I’m thankful for.”

Pria chuckled and continued to hold his hand.

Cleo thought it was funny too.

My mom smirked slightly and didn’t seem surprised by the inappropriate comment.

“Dad?”

I turned back to Derek. “Hmm?”

“Does Cleo have a nice ass?”

Now Tucker laughed.

It was hilarious because Derek had no idea what he was saying, but I kept a straight face. “Say that word again, and I’ll spank your ass right at this table.”

“Geez…” He picked at his pie again, rolling his eyes.

“What was that?” I snapped.

Derek stilled and kept his head down.

“Be easy on him,” Valerie said. “He’s just a kid.”

She and I would never see eye to eye on parenting. I viewed him as a work in progress, and unless he was taught manners and acceptable behavior, he would never be the man I wanted him to be. But Valerie…just didn’t care. I let it go because I wanted to get along today.

“I’ll start the dishes.” Cleo gathered a couple items and walked into the kitchen.

Mom got to her feet. “I’ll help her.”

“Nope.” I snapped my fingers. “Mom, you’ve done enough dishes in your lifetime. I’ve got it.” I rose to my feet and gathered a few extra things.

“If I offer, will you make me do it?” Tucker asked.

“Yes,” I answered.

“Alright, then I’m not going to offer.” He drank from his wineglass.

Pria chuckled. “I’m happy to help.”

“No,” I said. “But thank you.”

Tucker held up both of his hands. “Uh, what?”

I ignored him and walked into the kitchen.

Cleo had already pushed the food off the plates and into the trash can. “That was delicious. I’m glad we’ll have leftovers for the rest of the weekend.”

“Yeah.” I set the stack of dishes on the kitchen island.

“So, what are you going to say to Derek?”

I stared at her, confused.

“He asked if I have a nice ass.” She grinned as she moved the dishes to the counter beside the sink.

I chuckled. “Maybe when he’s older.” I pushed the food into the trash can before I added the dishes to the stack. “I’ll wrap up the leftovers and bring the trays as I go along.”

She turned on the faucet to let the water get warm. “Deacon?”

“Hmm?” I came to her side and looked at her.

“That wasn’t the only thing I was thankful for…” She lifted her chin and looked at me.

I stared at her, knowing the running water masked the intimate conversation. “Me too.”

“Because I’m thankful I’ve fallen in love with the man of my dreams…and he’s in love with me too.”

We sat on the couch in front of the fireplace, watching TV while we drank our wine.

“Have you gone crazy living with him yet?” Tucker asked Cleo.

She sat on the ottoman, holding her glass of wine with a straight posture. “Not at all. It’s been—”

“She lives with you?” Valerie’s loud voice practically came out as a shriek.

Everyone turned to her.

Why did I think we could have a nice Thanksgiving together with no hiccups?

Cleo was quiet, unsure what to say.

“This woman barely knows you, and she’s living with you?” Valerie continued. “Isn’t it obvious that she’s a gold digger? She’s the help that assists everyone in the building, and you think—”

“Valerie.” I did not want to have this hysterical conversation in front of my family—and Derek. I kept my voice calm so she would match me. “Cleo lost her job and her apartment. She needed a place to stay until she got back on her feet. I offered to let her stay with me in the meantime.” I left out the part where it was entirely Valerie’s goddamn fault it happened in the first place.