Thanksgiving?! Chicago?! Graham?! Wow. God really does love me. Swooning with joy, I almost fell from my chair in disbelief. Graham has just invited me to Chicago for Thanksgiving weekend. Surely he realizes the implications. I mean, when a man just wants to kick it, he invites you to spend Labor Day, Groundhog Day, or maybe even Valentine’s day. But Thanksgiving? No…he knows exactly what Thanksgiving means. Thanksgiving carries the aroma of love, the scent of commitment…the fragrance of family. A Thanksgiving with Graham means a weekend filled with fine dining, stimulating conversation, and a healthy serving of stank naked sex. Like Burger King, Graham could have me his way. Like a turkey, I want to be basted, buttered, slapped, and stuffed, legs spread till the juices ooze from within, filling the air with the aroma of hot roasted turkey, and what’s left of my hot toasted coo—

“Auntie Montana, my momma said you should have your makeup on by now.” It was my little nephew again, no doubt sent to make sure I was getting ready.

“Okay,” I replied, looking guilty.

Watching him turn and leave, I kissed the letter, tucked it safely away, and attempted to focus on what I was here for. My mother. It was her wedding day and in one hour she’d be a November bride. Having already been an April bride, a May bride, a June bride, and a July bride, she’d run out of summer months and had now moved on to the holiday months. She loved being married, and hated being alone. By now she’s had enough rice thrown at her to feed the entire continent of Asia. But I’ve gotta give it to her; she has no problem finding a husband and no problem skipping down the aisle as if it were her first time. Shameless is her middle name. Catherine Shameless Moore. She’s always kept her first married name, though, not wanting her girls to grow up without an identity. But ever since my daddy died, it seems as if there’s been a never-ending revolving door of replacement dads, shuffling around like little jokers in a game of spades, all vowing to fill the space. All trying to take our daddy’s place.