How To Save A Life

by Andria Large

  “I don’t see what’s so funny,” Ezra mutters, and then pulls out a handful of shirts from the pile. “These still have tags on them! Do you even wear half of these?”

  I shrug. “I’ll get through it eventually.”

  “Jesus Christ,” he breathes and shakes his head.

  I can’t help but snicker as we all continue to unload the boxes. About twenty minutes go by before I hear Jesse say, “Oh look, a box inside of a box, wonder what’s in here.”

  I spin around in hopes of stopping him from opening the smaller box but it’s too late; he’s already peering inside. I watch as a slow smile curls his lips. He looks up at me and shakes his head then wags his finger at me.

  “Mr. J, you dirty old man you. Does Dr. Whitmore know about these?” Jesse scolds teasingly.

  I snatch the box out of his hands before Spencer can see what’s in there. “First of all, I’m not an old man. And second…” I cock an eyebrow at him. “Dr. Whitmore will definitely get to find out what is in the box later, if you catch my drift.”

  Jesse fake gags. “Gross, Mr. J. You’ve scarred my young virgin mind for life.”

  I bark out a laugh. This kid cracks me up with some of the shit that comes out of his mouth. I take the box and set it on the nightstand next to Ezra.

  “I don’t even want to know,” Ezra mutters without looking up from the clothes that he’s folding.

  “Oh, you will want to know,” I purr in his ear.

  Ezra shudders then smiles and elbows me in the ribs. “Get outta here.”

  I chuckle and go back to the box I was working on.

  +

  My phone rings while I’m taking a little snack break down in the kitchen. Pulling it from my pocket, I see that it’s my brother, Casey. I smile, still giddy about the fact my siblings are back in my life. I swipe my thumb over the screen to answer it.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, Ferris. What’s going on?”

  “Nothing much, just moving into Ezra’s today. How about you?”

  “You’re moving into your boyfriend’s house? Didn’t you guys just start dating?” he asks cautiously.

  “We’ve been together for almost three months now, why?”

  “Don’t you think you’re moving a little fast? It’s still pretty early in the relationship. Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

  I glance around then get up to check the living room and stairs to make sure no one will overhear me.

  “Ferris?” Casey prompts when I don’t answer him right away.

  “Sorry, making sure no one can hear me.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I haven’t told him yet.”

  “Told him what? Are you pregnant?!” he squawks, trying not to laugh.

  I huff out a laugh. “No, asshole.”

  Casey chuckles. “You love him, don’t you?”

  “Yeah,” I reply with a smile.

  “You think he feels the same?”

  “I think that if he didn’t, he wouldn’t have asked me to move in.” I point out.

  “True. So, when do we get to meet him?”

  “Hopefully soon. Let me talk it over with him, and I’ll see if we can come up with a date.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “Great.”

  “Hey, Ferris?”

  “Yeah, Case?”

  “I’m happy for you and wish you the best of luck with your newly acquired family,” he says sincerely.

  I swallow past the lump of emotion that forms in my throat. “Thanks, Casey. I really appreciate that.”

  We say our goodbyes then hang up. Ezra enters the kitchen just as I put my phone back in my pocket.

  “Were you talking to someone?” he asks in confusion.

  “Oh, yeah. My brother, Casey, called. Wants to know when they’ll get to meet you and Spencer.” I grin.

  Ezra’s eyebrows shoot up. “Yeah? He asked again? I thought maybe the first time was just him being polite.”

  “Nope, he’s serious.”

  “Okay then. Maybe we can have them all over here soon. Hey, what about Thanksgiving? We could host.”

  I can’t contain the huge smile that takes over my face. “Really? You’d be okay with that?”

  Ezra gives me a soft smile as he comes over and gives me a light peck on the lips. “Anything for you,” he says, repeating the words I’ve said to him many times over.

  +

  EZRA

  Thanksgiving rolls around faster than expected. My office is closed today and tomorrow, and of course through the holiday weekend, giving me an extended time off. Hopefully, I don’t get any emergency calls, which would suck. Ferris is cleaning the entire house while I’m doing all of the cooking. Teamwork. It’s something that we’ve found that we excel at as a couple. Things have been amazing since Ferris moved in. I fall deeper and deeper in love with him every day, and I plan on telling him very soon how I feel about him because it’s literally ready to burst out of me. I always have the urge to say it at the most inappropriate times, though. I want the first time I say it to be special and something he will remember.

  I still remember the first time I told my wife that I loved her. We were away at college and there was a really pretty lake that was close by where you could rent rowboats and go fishing and stuff. So I rented a rowboat and took her out to the middle of the lake, where we ate the little picnic I packed. The sun was slowly going down, throwing out beautiful golds, pinks, and oranges across the sky. It was ridiculously romantic and I couldn’t have planned it any better than I did. I told her that I loved her and she cried, saying that she loved me, too, and that she was pregnant. I smile at the memory. And yeah, I’m a bit of a hopeless romantic.

  We invited all of Ferris’ family, my parents, and I even invited Justine’s parents, who I haven’t seen since shortly after she died. They live a good six-hour drive away, and with having my own dental practice, always being on call, and now that Spencer is back in school, we just haven’t been able to make the trip. When I called Justine’s mother, Bernadette, to ask her about coming for Thanksgiving, I told her all about Ferris. I didn’t want her and Justine’s father, Vic, to be surprised. Justine’s parents are much more open minded than mine, so I knew they would be accepting of my relationship with Ferris. I didn’t tell them about Spencer, though. He asked if he could be the one to tell them, and I agreed.

  I also got a call from Ferris’ brother, Casey, while I was at work last week to ask if it was okay if their parents joined us. I was not going to say no to that. He also asked that we not tell Ferris because he didn’t want him freaking out. Apparently, when his parents found out that none of their children would be spending Thanksgiving with them because they were spending it with Ferris, his parents freaked. He had to give them an ultimatum: either they won't see their kids on Thanksgiving, or they can come and be a part of it. I did warn Casey, though, that I won’t tolerate anyone talking to Ferris like shit, so if his parents were going to come, then they needed to be polite and civil. Casey agreed whole-heartedly. He said that he was actually hoping that they would accept Ferris back into their lives, too. I think that's a long shot.

  The doorbell rings at exactly 4:00 pm. Spencer races down the steps. “I got it!”

  I have to say, I’m extremely surprised at how excited Spencer is about meeting Ferris’ family. I’m thinking it has something to do with Justine and me both being only children, so he has no aunts or uncles, and now he’s acquiring six. Good thing our house is a decent size and we can accommodate everyone.

  I peek through the kitchen doorway just as Spencer flings open the door. Standing there is Justine’s parents with huge smiles on their faces.

  “Grams! Pops!” Spencer cries happily and flings himself into their arms.

  I wipe my hands on a towel and make my way to the door to greet them.

  “Spencer! My god, how you’ve grown!” Bernadette exclaims, her hands on his shoulders, as she looks him over. He’s practically as tall
as she is now.

  Her eyes then meet mine and a warm, loving, motherly smile adorns her pretty face. Man, Justine looked so much like her. “Oh, Ezra, look at you! You look so great!”

  I give her a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Hey, Bern. It’s so good to see you.”

  “It is. I’m so glad that we’re here.”

  Next, I give Vic a hug, too. “Good to see you, Ezzy.”

  I snort at the old nickname he always called me. I haven’t heard it in a long time. Too long.

  “You, too, Vic.”

  “And this must be Ferris. Oh my, aren’t you a cutie.” Bernadette giggles.

  I turn just as Ferris flashes his extra flirty grin and shakes her hand. “Hi, nice to meet you.”

  Ferris then shakes Vic’s hand.

  “Ezra was telling us all about you.” Bernadette grins.

  Ferris cocks an eyebrow at her. “All good things, I hope.”

  “Of course, Sweetie.”

  Ferris winks at her. “Good thing, otherwise I might have to take him upstairs and spank him.”

  Bernadette falls into a fit of giggles while I turn bright red. “Ferris,” I groan.

  He sends me a playful smirk. “What? She thought it was funny!”

  Bernadette turns back to me. “I like this one, Ezra. You need to keep him.”

  I smile, glad that she likes him so much already. It really means a lot to me. “That’s the plan,” I tell her but keep my eyes locked on Ferris’, making him blush slightly.

  People start pouring in over the next half an hour. Everyone is mostly hanging out in the kitchen when the doorbell rings again. I watch as Ferris’ eyebrows crank down as he looks around at everyone. I can see that he’s wondering who the hell that could be because everyone is here. Everyone except his parents, that is. He starts for the door and I excuse myself from the conversation I was having with Vic to follow him.

  Ferris opens the door and literally freezes. A hush falls over everything and it’s like everyone is afraid to even breathe. Miles, Casey, and Amelia join me in the foyer behind Ferris.

  “Mom, Dad? What are you doing here?” Ferris finally chokes out.

  Ferris’ mother barely looks at him, and his dad is no better. Damn, this is going to be awkward.

  “We wanted to have Thanksgiving with our kids, and when we found out they were all coming here to spend it with you, we didn't really have a choice,” his dad states, a bit of a sneer toward the end.

  Ferris flounders. His mouth is working but nothing is coming out. I step forward and gently take his shoulders and shuffle him back so that they can come in.

  “Please, come in,” I say. “I’m Ezra.”

  I hold out my hand in introduction. His mother looks at it in what I’m thinking is disgust, before giving me the limpest handshake I’ve ever experienced. His dad does a little better, giving me a firm shake, but he doesn’t look at me, and he doesn’t provide his name in return. Actually, neither did his mother. Ooookay, I see how this is going to go.

  I extract Ferris’ hand from the knob so I can shut the door. He still seems to be in shock. Miles takes over, introducing them to my parents, Justine’s parents, and then Spencer. It’s all very stiff and awkward and not all that pleasant. I glance at Casey to see him shaking his head and looking pissed off. Great, our first Thanksgiving together is going to be a total bust.

  +

  FERRIS

  After the initial shock of realizing that my parents are here wears off, annoyance and anger kick in. Who the hell thought it was a good idea to invite them? They obviously don’t really want to be here. They are just here because the rest of their children are here, and they always spend Thanksgiving together.

  I latch onto Ezra’s elbow and drag him through the kitchen to where the laundry room is. I shut us in and round on Ezra.

  “What the fuck are they doing here?!” I hiss vehemently.

  Ezra sighs and rubs the back of his neck. “Casey called me last week to ask if they could join us. He said that they freaked out when they found out they were all coming here to spend Thanksgiving with us. He gave them an ultimatum: they either come or don't see any of them. I couldn’t say no. He was hoping they would be better than this.”

  “Goddammit,” I bite out. "Why didn't you warn me?"

  "Casey asked me not to." Ezra sighs again.

  I shove my hands on my hips and hang my head as I try to figure out what the hell to do.

  “Listen, just stay away from them. We’ll sit at the opposite end of the table and try to have a nice time.”

  “This is not how I wanted our first Thanksgiving to be - filled with tension."

  “I’m sorry.” Ezra frowns.

  I shake my head. “It’s not your fault.” I sigh.

  A quiet knock on the door has us both turning to look at it, as Casey peeks his head in. “Ferris, can I come in?”

  “Yeah.”

  Casey slips in and shuts the door behind him. “Shit, man. I’m sorry. I really thought they were going to act a little better than that. I shouldn’t have let them come.”

  “Can’t do anything about it now,” I huff.

  “I’ll see if I can get them to leave early at least,” Casey offers.

  I shrug with indifference. “Doesn’t matter.”

  When we leave the laundry room, Ezra goes back to finish up with the food, and I go in search of Spencer to make sure he’s doing okay. I’m sure this is a lot for him to take in right now. I want to make sure he’s handling it okay.

  I find him in the living room with my parents. I stay back by the kitchen doorway so I don’t interrupt and ruin whatever they’re talking about. I watch as Spencer takes a picture frame off one of the shelves that surrounds the TV. I know exactly what picture it is, too. It’s the one of him, Ezra, and Justine. Justine is behind Ezra, her arms wrapped around his neck. Ezra has Spencer wrapped up in a tight hug that he seems to be struggling to get out of. It was only taken a couple of years ago, so Spencer doesn’t look too much different. They are all laughing. It’s a beautiful picture.

  Spencer hands the picture to my mother and points to it. “This is my mom.”

  My mom looks at the picture and frowns. “Why is she not here?”

  “She died a year and a half ago from a brain aneurysm.”

  “Oh. I’m so sorry to hear that.”

  “It’s okay.” He shrugs. He puts the picture back on the shelf. “I was worried about my dad for a while. He didn’t seem to be moving on. I don’t think he knows how much he actually let it show. He tried really hard to put on a happy face and act like everything was okay, but I knew it wasn’t.”

  My mother watches him, an odd look on her face. “Is he still like that?”

  Spencer shakes his head. “No, not anymore,” he chirps.

  “What changed?” my dad asks curiously.

  Spencer turns back toward them and gives them a big grin. “He met Ferris.”

  I’m going to buy that kid a goddamn car, or…I don’t know…whatever the hell he wants because he is fucking amazing. Two sets of eyes land on me where I’m standing in the doorway between the kitchen and living room and it’s like getting punched in the gut. Air rushes out of my lungs. Apparently, Spencer’s words had some kind of impact on them. Why are they looking at me? It that a good look?

  “Looks like they are taking a liking to Spencer,” says Amelia, as she comes up on my right.

  I look over at her, breaking eye contact with my parents. I swallow hard. “Yeah…looks like it…” I croak.

  +

  During dinner, Ezra and I sit at the opposite end of the table from our parents. Ezra's dad has been pretty standoffish with the two of us the entire night, so it's probably best to stay away from all of them. Fortunately, he is being nice to Spencer. I wouldn't call him a loving Grandfather, but he's not being nasty to him, either, which I'm happy about.

  Spencer has stolen the show, though. He is sitting in the middle of the table between my
brothers, yapping up a storm. I can tell my family loves him, especially my brothers, who are having a good old time teasing and joking around with him. And Spencer is just reveling in all of the attention. All eyes were definitely on him when Miles recounted the story of how Spencer tore into him at the supermarket.

  “So thanks to Spencer, we’re here all together tonight,” Miles says, giving Spencer a fond smile and a pat on the back, making him blush.

  My parents are staying fairly quiet, but they are observing everything that goes on. Ezra's parents are sitting down at that end with them, and have them talking a little bit. I'm not sure what about, but it seems fairly neutral.

  “Ezra, everything is delicious. You’re a great cook,” Miles compliments.

  Ezra smiles proudly. “Thanks, Miles.”

  “Seriously, how in the world did you get this turkey so juicy?” Casey mutters around a mouthful of food.

  “My special secret. If I told you, I’d have to kill you.”

  Everyone chuckles. Even. My. Parents. My parents just laughed at something my boyfriend said. Hope fills me. I know it’s stupid and it might lead to heartache, but I can’t help it. There is a chance I can get my parents back. Ezra hooks his ankle around mine under the table, bringing my attention to him. He gives me a loving smile that has my heart fluttering wildly in my chest. The things he does to me; he doesn’t even know the half of it.

  Justine’s parents are the first to leave, since they have a long ride home. I’m really glad I had the chance to meet them, and I hope that even with the distance between us, we can remain close with them for Spencer’s sake. The three of us walk them to the door. Bernadette turns to Ezra and pulls him into a big hug.

  "I'm so glad to see you happy and smiling again, Ezra. This is exactly what Justine would have wanted for you."

  "Thank you, Bern. That means a lot to me," Ezra says roughly.

  She then turns to me, giving me a huge grin and a hug. "And you, you take care of my babies, okay?"

  "Absolutely," I reply.

  After Vic says his goodbyes and they both give Spencer some love, they head out. Slowly, the rest of my family starts to leave, my parents being one of the first. They don't even say goodbye to Ezra or me. They at least say goodbye to Spencer, but it's a very stiff, very formal goodbye. That little smidge of hope that I had gets snuffed out as the door closes behind them.