Page 49 of Schooling Little Sage

I crouched down and petted her head. “Sorry, JoJo. I hope you didn’t hurt yourself.”

“Boys, dinner is ready,” Mom called up the stairs.

“Sage, would you like to feed JoJo?” Mom asked when we came into the kitchen.

“Yes, please.” Daddy walked me through it, showing me where her food was and how much to give. “There you go, girl. I’d be a great pet parent.”

“You would indeed, my love. Now the humans can eat. You’ll really enjoy Mom’s pot roast.” Hopefully Daddy was right and it wasn’t dry like my mama’s was. That was hard to eat, let alone keep down. This one was so much better, two bites in and I was in heaven.

“Did that moan come from you, Sage?” Mom smiled. With my mouth full all I could manage was a nod. “Glad you like it.”

If her roast was this good I couldn’t wait to taste her turkey and stuffing tomorrow.

“Happy Thanksgiving!” everyone said as Daddy and I came into the living room. It was so nice to wake up to a house full of happy people instead of the grumps I had lived with. Now that I’d seen how other people live and treat each other, it had really opened my eyes. That, plus all the help my therapist has given me, had helped me believe in myself.

I deserve to be loved.

One of many daily affirmations she had me repeating to myself.

“Happy Thanksgiving,” we said back.

“Breakfast is in the microwave for you late sleepers,” Dad teased. “Bird is already in the oven.”

“Thank you.”

“You are very welcome, Sage. Go grab your plates and come watch the parade with us.” Mom didn’t have to tell us twice. At least, not me. I was starving.

“Watch that old dog,” Dad warned, “she’ll beg for scraps her stomach can’t handle.”

Got it, don’t give her people food.

After breakfast, the day was a whirlwind of in and out. Dad and Jimbo were glued to the tv watching football while Daddy and Amber were helping Mom. I took on the role of delivering fresh drinks and taking JoJo out for potty breaks and playtime. Honestly, this was the best Thanksgiving I’d ever had.

When dinner was ready, we sat at the fancy table in the dining room, not the one in the kitchen we’d eaten at last night. Dad sat at the head of the table to carve the turkey.

“Everything looks wonderful, Sherry.” He gave Mom a kiss. Jimbo made vomit sounds and Dad nudged him. “This year we’re quite blessed welcoming a new son to our family. Sage, you’ve brought love and life to our eldest son, something he’d been searching for, and we’re thrilled to call you son.”

Tears welled in my eyes. Daddy wrapped his arm around me and tugged me against him. “Told you they’d love you just as I do. You are worth more than you’ll ever know.”

And there the tears went.

I had a real family that loved me.

“Enough of the mushy stuff.” Dad winked at me. “Let’s cut this bird and eat.”

Dad put a couple slices on each of our plates. The side dishes were passed around, and I made sure to try a bit of everything. There wasn’t a single food on this table that I didn’t love. Stuffing, fresh cranberries, potatoes and gravy, even salad. It was all wonderful and I felt like the blueberry girl in the Willy Wonka movie, ready to be rolled from the room.

“Mom, you go sit down,” Daddy said when we’d finished eating. “We will clean the kitchen and put the leftovers away for you.” Jimbo and Amber didn’t argue. Daddy was the oldest, and while I’m sure they fought when they were younger, they weren’t about to start with him now. Mom worked hard today and even with the help we gave, she still did most of it.

Well, they gave. I pretty much hung out with JoJo.

After the kitchen was clean, Daddy put the coffee on, and it was time for pie. Pumpkin, apple, and my favorite, lemon meringue. I didn’t think I’d ever eaten this much in my life.

Coffee wasn’t my thing, but they enjoyed it and talked for a long time. Me and JoJo curled up on the couch beside Daddy and fell asleep. I don’t remember him carrying me upstairs, but he must have because I woke up the next morning in our bed.

Best Thanksgiving Day Ever!

Chapter Fourteen