Chapter 105

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Age 32

“You need anything else done?” I asked Marlene as I put the last of the wood I’d chopped on top of thepile. It was the day before Thanksgiving, and a storm had already dumped snow on the ground.

“This is fine, Gabe. Thank you. I would have done it, but my back’s been acting up lately.” Marlene had osteoporosis, and she hunched over a little more every year. We both knew she couldn’t lift an axe anymore, but I didn’t mention it.

I wiped the sweat off my brow and stretched my back. “It’s my pleasure, you know that.” I followed her into the house, removing my boots and leaving them just inside the door. “I’ll make us some coffee, shall I?” I said as I removed my gloves and set them on the kitchen table.

“Sounds wonderful.” I heard her moving about as I found the kettle and filled it with water. “Gabe, what are you doing for Thanksgiving?”