When you don't meet a chancer there'll be days like this

 Gage worked it out that he could have four days off in a row. Yeah, it took some doing with the Post Office, but he promised he wouldn't ask for anything else since it seemed subs were practically mail carriers these days so there weren't that many as they'd hoped.

It was going to be a very low-key Thanksgiving. He and his family had spent a Friendsgiving over the weekend at Alfie's. It had been a fusion of Italian and Asian food, but it was perfect and a good time with Alfie's friends. No alcohol, but lots of games and even some crafting for the little ones. 

The plan was to have dinner at Henry's (his cousin) and then spend the day with Henry and the kids at Gage's house while the women went shopping on Black Friday. 

And then his brother Carson showed up, unannounced and without his wife. 

Of course, Gage wanted to ask him what he was doing here. He hadn't heard from him in ages. He was a fireman out in Grand Island. Their motto had always been "No News is Good News."

Carson looked out of sorts. Somehow, he'd quit his job when Brit said she'd gotten a job in Florida. 

"And then, well, we didn't move," Carson shrugged and spoke something about all the hurricanes there. Although, Brit didn't get the job she said she did at a hospital. And it had been downhill ever since.

"Well, couldn't you get back on?" Gage was glad he hadn't left the state. He knew it would be like starting over for him somewhere else.

"We got a divorce."

"A divorce?" Gage winced. He hated to tell him that he always thought Brit was a little flaky. "Are you OK?"

Gage gave him a half hug. He guessed he could let him stay through Thanksgiving. 

"Does Mom know?"

"Not yet." He shrugged as if he didn't know how to put the puzzle of his life together. Gage knew his brother's pride. They both knew they never counted on their mother for anything, and god knows where their dad was. But his brother had always been there for him and now Gage knew he needed to be there for him.