Thanks for Giving Read Free

labeled vials in her tackle box. She turned to Chip. “I’ll get these done as quickly as I can, Dr. French. So far I have no matches but we’ve got a lot more to get through back there. I’m glad to say that a lot of the people who participated in your drive have signed up to be on the bone marrow registry so even if they can’t help Matt, maybe they can help elsewhere.”
    “I hope so. I think everyone should be a donor.” Chip smiled at the woman.
    “I’d like to as well. Can I get the paperwork?” Molly asked.
    “I’ll mail it to you.” Chip bit the words out.
    Stunned at the venom in his voice, Molly recoiled as if she’d been smacked. She backed away from him and Samantha then bolted for the door. She darted outside, wiping the tears that streamed down her face with the back of her hands.
    A blast of cold air hit her as she rounded the corner toward the taxi stand. She hadn’t realized how cold it was since she’d gone from her porch to Chip’s car. The wind was whipping around and the flag flapped and snapped on its pole. She rubbed her arms to try to get the circulation moving again.
    A cab pulled up and she opened the back door. As she stepped in, she heard her name called. Chip came around the corner. Molly shut the door, leaned over the front seat and smiled at the driver. “Thank goodness it’s you, Grant. I don’t have my wallet and I know you’ll wait for me to run in and get it to pay you.”
    “I’ll keep the motor running. Why are you over here with no wallet and no coat? You almost look like you’re escaping from in there. You have on a pajama top, too. Are you making a run for it?”
    “It sure seems like it but no. Can you hurry? I left cake cooking too.” Molly leaned back.
    “Are your parents okay?” Grant peered at her in the rear-view mirror. “They’re not in the hospital, are they?”
    “No, they’re fine and at home. I’m heading over later today. Will you and your brothers be at your folks’ place?”
    “Yep. The game is on for four. I hope you and your team are ready.”
    “Always. We’re going to take you out.” Molly grinned. Grant had grown up next door, and their families had a yearly Thanksgiving rivalry flag football game after dinner settled.
    “Your grandmother couldn’t take us out, Molly.”
    “She has in the past and she will again.”
    “Not this year. She has that cast on her arm from where she fell roller skating two weeks ago.” Grant laughed. “Of course, that was two weeks ago. She’s probably going mountain climbing next week.”
    “You got that right.”
    Grant pulled into Molly’s driveway. She opened the door. “Let me grab my checkbook.” She climbed out.
    “Na. I’ll get the money at the game. Take it out of your hide.” He laughed.
    “Bring it.”
    “No. You bring it.” Grant nodded. “And wear some clothes when you come.”
    She slammed the door but could hear him laughing as he backed away from her house.
     
    * * * *
     
    Late that afternoon, after the turkey and trimmings, as well as Molly’s cake that was only slightly charred around the edges, was eaten and partially digested, the flag football players gathered on Grant’s family’s lawn. Molly tied her unruly hair back into a loose ponytail and hooked the belt with the red flag for her team’s side around her waist. She spat on her hands and rubbed them on the thighs of her jeans.
    “You ready?” She grinned at her family members.
    A steel grey Mustang pulled up alongside the curb and Chip got out. He stepped over and shook hands with Molly’s mother.
    “Look who’s here, Molly dear. Do you think we should put Chip on team Touchstone? Lord knows he was here enough as a teenager to be part of the family.” Molly’s mother patted Chip’s hand that was still in hers.
    “I hardly think Chip is here to play football, Mom.” Molly turned to Chip. “What brings you by? I thought you had enough of me this morning.”
    “Interestingly enough, you’re a