Try, try, try to separate them

 

"Oh, I'm too tired to think anymore," Olliver yawned and knew he'd stayed too long at Gabby's. Why couldn't they be at his place so Carrie would be in her bed already? Instead here he was with Carrie at Gabby's. Lately, she was always having them over for dinner.

He wanted to tell her it was a bad idea from the beginning. Staying home meant getting ready for the next day, but the food was free. Although, sometimes, he had to show her how to make certain things, like how to fry an egg or what goes into making gravy. 

But the evenings would linger, she did like to talk about the past which made him very sleepy. He didn't want to be mean, but Carrie needed a schedule and so did he. 

"Look, I'm going to my parents for Thanksgiving," he told her while they were sitting on her living floor looking through school yearbooks. He was leaning against the couch and Carrie was sleeping on the couch. 

"But they live right here in town?"

Olliver nodded.

"Aren't you going to your parents?"

"Oh," she sighed as if that would be a mistake.

"You know, you talk a lot, but you never told me what happened with.." Actually, she never said his name, but he pointed to his picture on the bookcase.

"He's in prison."

Gabby hugged herself.

Olliver shot his eyes open at least for a minute or so.

"I'm sure they want to see you."

He got up, but she grabbed his hand to pull him back down.

"I want to go with you, you know, on Thanksgiving." 

Gabby looked up at him as if he had to say yes. Her eyes would will it.

"Well, I-I would have to ask," he felt as if he might be coming down with something. "Look, I have to go." He told her he thought she should have a rest from all this cooking. 

"Oh, you mean I can come over?" She smiled ever endearing.

"Um, not this week, maybe..maybe after Thanksgiving."

Olliver nodded and picked up sweet Carrie who was practically a ragdoll. When would he ever learn to say no. He couldn't put Carrie through this another night. 

Gabby was counting the days on her fingers when she would be coming over for dinner.