Toby walked me down the stairs, kissing my cheek before letting go of my hand. Before I could open the door though he pulled me towards him and smashed his lips against mine.

Pulling back I smiled at him. "What was that for?"

"I didn't get to have my way with you earlier okay. Let me have this moment," he said, just holding me in a tight hug.

That was when the front door opened and in walked his father carrying a plate of take out.

"Oh, hi boys." Gale frowned at us, eyeing the two of us as we jumped away from one another.

"Oh um, hey Mr. Vincent," I stuttered, my face feeling hot.

"You don't have to call me that now. You've been coming over here since you were what, six?" He chuckled, clapping a hand to my back.

Clearing his throat Toby ushered me towards the door, "Well I'll see you at school tomorrow, alright."

"Uh yeah." Toby waved to me as I left, glancing back at his father warily. The old wolf didn't seem to care though as he meandered into the living room probably ready to take a seat in his recliner. Just wait till he caught sight of Toby's hand.

When I got back to the house Eli was gone and mom was sitting in her wheelchair in front of the tv. Angry I snatched my jacket off and threw it on the coat rack before coming to stand beside her.

"Did he leave you in your chair all day?" I asked, putting my hand on top of hers.

Mom didn't answer, still staring at the tv.

"Well do you need anything? I bet he probably didn't fix you anything good to eat."

"He gave me a plate of last night's leftovers and a glass of water Eric," she said, it all coming out as a heavy sigh, "I'm fine."

"You're talking now. I'm guessing you feel better?" I smiled at her.

"Yes. You know you don't have to worry so much, Eric, " she cooed, reaching out to caress my cheek. "I know your brother can be... a hassle, but he's been rather patient these last few days. I think it may have something to do with that Tiffany girl he was talking about last night."

Frowning at her I nodded my head. He meets a girl and suddenly he's in a good mood? The longest relationship he's ever been in was for a few months and even then he was barely all that interested in keeping her attention. I could only wonder who this girl was.

"Maybe, I dunno mom. Besides, he'll probably be over her in about a week and then it'll be back to spending his Sundays with us. And then you won't get to play the piano for me," I said, moving to sit on the couch next to her.

"I don't know about that Eric. You might be wrong about this one," she muttered, engrossed in some old rerun.

Shaking my head I leaned back. I guess we'd see. I ended up closing my eyes and falling asleep. When Eli got back he shook me awake after helping mom get into bed before directing me towards the stairs.

When Monday came I walked straight home from the bus stop to find mom sitting at the piano playing music while Eli sat drinking a beer and watching a Lifetime movie.

It was all such a surprise that I had to stop and take it all in for a moment before my mom stopped playing and smiled at me.

"Oh sweetie you're finally home, " she said, getting up from the bench she shuffled over to me.

Eyes going wide I rushed towards her, taking hold of her arms. What was she doing trying to walk on her without her cane?

"Mom you need to sit down, " I said, guiding her backward.

Looking over her shoulder she backpedaled towards the bench, starting to pull me along. "Come, take a seat, join me."

"Mom what are you talking about?" I asked, helping her sit back down.

"I want you to play a duet with me." She beamed. I looked at her hands and saw that the vines that had started to grow on the back of her left hand were writhing and pulsating like they had been yesterday.

"I don't know any hymns or classical music Mom, " I said nervously, giving her a weak smile.

"Then we can play something from the radio or maybe some Carrie Underwood, I like her, " she said, grabbing my hand and moving into position near the keys. "Let's play."

I couldn't remember the last time I'd ever seen her in such a mood so I nodded my head and started to play. To my surprise Eli didn't complain, he just sat there on the couch, sipping his beer and shaking his head at the tv.

"Hey Mom?" I said just as we started to play something slower.

"Yeah sweetheart?"

"I was wondering if I could spend Thanksgiving break with Toby and Gale," I said, started to feel a twinge of panic startup. Now that I was asking I felt bad, if mom was starting to feel better it wouldn’t be fair to leave during such an important holiday. Even Eli was staying home this year, he was bringing his girlfriend over too.

"Oh, sure hun, I can't remember the last time I saw you and Toby together. Oh!" She gasped, "you went to his house yesterday, didn't you? Tell me, how's he been?"

"He's good. He got into another fight though and he ended up breaking his fingers."

"Oh no! Is he okay?"

Scoffing I rolled my eyes. "He's fine. He broke the fingers on his right hand though so he's gonna have a hard time doing his school work."

Frowning my mother shook her head. "That's not good. Are you gonna start going over there to help him?"

"Why would I do that?" I asked, confused.

Staring at me a moment she cocked her head, no longer playing her part on the piano but studying me. "No reason, I just figured you should cause Toby's a nice boy, Eric. He's your friend isn't he?"

Why did she say it like that? Seeing as she’d stopped playing I stopped too. Scratching the back of my neck I shrugged at her. What was I supposed to say?

"I dunno. I keep telling him to stop doing those dumb challenges but he won't listen. I just figured I'd run things by you before running off," I said, giving her a weak smile. "We didn't get to do anything last year cause you weren't feeling well and I didn't wanna-"

"Oh honey you can spend the holiday with your friend. Ooh! Maybe we could all spend it with the Vincents like we did the year before." Mom was beaming, clapping her hands together excitedly she nodded. "Yeah that's a great idea. Would you like that Eli?"

Eli turned around to shrug at her. "Sure."

"I should call Gale and see what he thinks," she said, moving to get up.

"Woah, slow down there mom." I hopped up and grabbed her cane from where it sat against the far wall, completely forgotten.

"Stop doting on me Eric," she laughed me off, taking the cane from me as she shook her head.

She had to be feeling a lot better today if she was walking. The vines are always growing all over her legs so she just rolls around in her chair whenever it gets to be too much. I watched as she sauntered off into the kitchen, smiling as she went along. Thanksgiving with Toby and Gale didn't sound all that bad.