"Judging by the size, I'd say that's a lot," I joked.
Clarity smiled at me and my appetite came back. I wolfed down two helpings of everything and thirds of the candied yams. When I looked up from scraping my plate clean, her emerald eyes locked onto my face.
The pleasant swelling I felt was from more than the food, but then my stomach dropped like a lead ball. I needed to tell her about Libby. I couldn't go on waiting for the other shoe to drop, not with Clarity always in front of me.
I tried to help her with the coffee, but she declined. I got up and made it as far as the kitchen door before she reappeared with dessert. Then everyone adjourned to the living room and I couldn't get up and follow Clarity without everyone seeing me cross the room.
"Look, snow!" Lexi cried.
Everyone heaved themselves out of their comfortable seats and found places by the frosted windows. Clarity hung back and disappeared into the kitchen again and I saw my chance. I stepped back and spun on my heel to follow her, but when I got into the kitchen, she was gone.
"I hope it's enough to make a snowman tomorrow," Lexi said.
I heard Clarity reply, "Always the optimist," and realized she had come full circle through the kitchen and back out to the foyer. I got the distinct impression she was trying to avoid me.
I marched up behind Clarity and her friends, but Lexi's speculative look stopped me short. I could lie and say it was about class, but I had a feeling that wouldn't fool anyone.
"We better head out before it gets too deep," Polly said.
"Oh, that's too bad," Patrick said. He clasped her hands. "I was hoping we could play Pictionary."
Polly laughed and kissed his cheek. "Thank you for a wonderful Thanksgiving feast, Patrick. Clarity, you did an amazing job. Please, please think about writing something for my art students."
"It's a great idea," Patrick said, "I'll keep on her about it."
Damien shook hands with everyone then kissed Clarity's cheek. "Charming. Thank you."
I hung back and scowled as the handsome sculptor winked at Clarity, then curled an arm around Polly. They waved and headed out into the snow. Lexi and Carl were not far behind them. She squealed as she danced around Carl until he picked her up and twirled her.
"Coming, Ford?" Jackson asked me.
"Nah, I'm going to help clean up a little. It's the least I can do."
Alice raised an eyebrow at me. "You're planning to walk home in all this snow?"
I laughed. "It's only an inch. I think I'll make it."
"Well, the least you can do is call Jackson when you get home so he doesn't have to worry," she said. Alice kissed me on the cheek and thanked the Dunkirks.
While Patrick and Clarity waved, I slipped back into the kitchen and filled the sink with soapy water. I dumped the silverware in as Clarity came into the kitchen.
"You really don't have to do that," she said.
"Let the poor man," her father said. "We're not about to kick out a guest for trying to help."
Clarity reluctantly joined me at the double sink and started scrubbing the salad dishes.
"It's the least I can do for announcing to everyone about your short story," I said.
She sighed. "It's fine. You made my dad happy, that's for sure."
Patrick chuckled. "That's right. Now all you need to do for me is convince her to let me read it." He ducked back into the dining room to gather the rest of the plates.
"I'm really sorry, Clarity. I screwed up everything I was trying to say." I took a deep breath. "I really need to talk to you."
"Polly left her reading glasses. I'll have to take them to her tomorrow," Patrick announced from the doorway.
I wanted to come clean to Clarity about Libby, but all I got the chance to do was wash dishes. Clarity worked beside me, polite but quiet.