"If we're really gonna play this, we're all going to the nearest church tomorrow to repent of our sins." Uncle Wes smiled as he stared down at the box labeled "Cards Against Humanity". 

Most of us laughed. Jess about rolled her eyes to the back of her head, and Troy began to set up the decks of cards, dealing seven white cards to everyone at the table. In the background, the song "Riding the Danville Pike" by the band, Blue Highway, played loud and proud from Jess's Bluetooth. 

Once I was dealt my seven cards, I about died when I read each one. I had to bite the inside of my cheek in order to control my laughter, when Troy remarked, "Damn, Maya. You sure you ain't drunk?"

"I've only had one Busch Light so far." I laughed, "I'm just drunk off life."

"Alright. I believe you." Troy smiled as he leaned over to show Quinn one of his cards.

"Fuck, these are awful." Junior laughed. 

"That's the point." Stacy said, pointing to the slogan on the box: "A party game for horrible people."

"We're all goin' to hell after this..." Liz shook her head. 

Once everyone had their seven cards in-hand, Dale was chosen to read the first black card. To avoid getting anyone cancelled, let's just say both the black card, and the ensuing white cards, were horrible. That's what made them so fucking funny. I haven't laughed like that in years. By round three, everyone was in tears. 

At some point in the middle of the game, I drew the perfect white card: Cystic Fibrosis. Even better, it was Troy's turn to read a black card. 

"Instead of coal, Santa now gives bad children, blank." 

I immediately threw out my chosen card to Troy while laughing so hard I could not breathe or see. 

"Oh my God." I howled, "My stomach hurts from laughing so much. Holy shit!"

"I'm actually kind of scared to pick these up. Especially yours, Maya." Troy raised his eyebrows. 

Timidly, almost as though he was opening a can of springing snakes, Troy flipped his deck of white cards and immediately picked out the winner. 

"I already know who won this fuckin' round." Troy smiled. 

"Read 'em." Dale urged. 

"Alright. I'll start slow and save the best for last."

Most people used that round for their shittiest throwaway cards, the shittiest throwaway card being "shiny things". But, when Troy got to mine, he could hardly read it out as he laughed till his face turned bright red. It took him a few tries to stutter to the punchline. 

"Instead of coal, Santa now gives bad children Cy- Cysti- Fuck! Santa gives bad children Cystic Fibrosis!"

The room erupted in wheezing laughter. I would've fallen right out of my chair if Junior wasn't there to keep me from tipping over. We must've laughed for a solid five minutes before anyone could say anything. There was no question who won that round. 

Needless to say, the game began to die after that. There would never be a better pair of cards in Cards Against Humanity. At least, not in my family. 

My cousins decided to put away Cards Against Humanity to play more Euchre instead. Halfway into the first round, the background bluegrass was suddenly interrupted by Jess's ringtone. She flipped over her phone to see who it was, and her eyes immediately rolled into the back of her head as she answered it, disappearing into a back room. Stacy, sensing something was wrong, followed her. Now, all that remained were the sounds of quiet conversation, cards flicking, and a roaring wind outside. 

As much fun as I was having, I was unsettled by the sudden (and seemingly upsetting) phone call. My gut seemed to be warning me of something bad. Not like death-in-the-family bad, but certainly something felt very off. Too bad Jess was too far away for me to eavesdrop. 

When she and Stacy returned, Wes turned and asked them what that was all about. Jess, still quiet but audible from the kitchen replied, "Maya's stepmom is pissed..."

"Oh..." Wes nodded. 

"Yeah..." Jess sighed making eye contact with me. 

"Is... is everything alright?" I shakily asked. 

"Oh yeah." Jess assured me, "It's nothing for you to worry about."

Jess and Wes sat back down at the table.

"Y'know, no matter what, you're always, always, always welcome to hang out with us." Jess began, resting a hand on my shoulder, "Even if your dad and his family are visiting us, you're still very much welcome to be here as well. Never feel like you can't be with us just 'cuz they are. You are family. You are a Nibbe, through and through. We're elated to have you at the cabin now. We can't wait to have you at the farm again. Let no one convince ya otherwise."

"Everyone here's got room for ya." Wade added, "You're welcome to be with us no matter what."

"Absolutely..." Troy muttered. 

Dale squinted his eyes in confusion. He and Stacy only met a few years before. He was completely in the dark regarding the shitshow that was my family situation. Stacy beckoned him to a far room, presumably to fill him in on the drama.

"I mean... I feel a little badly for all this. I didn't mean to invi-"

"Don't!" Jess sharply interrupted me, "You did nothin' wrong. Not then, not now. Never apologize or feel bad for spending time with us as a family. We're family! You're part of us! You have every right to be with us no matter what anyone else says or thinks! We miss you lots when you're not with us. Let your stepmom have her moment. She'll get over it, soon enough!"

"Damn right!" Junior encouraged, taking a huge swig of Tennessee Whiskey straight from the bottle, finishing it off with a loud belch.

"Even if your dad's family comes for a visit while you're already with us, we have so much space that you wouldn't have to see them if you don't want to. If they come up here, one of us will take you someplace else if you wish. Or, if you stay, we'll keep you close." Jess continued, "I know it's a super shitty situation, but just know that, no matter what, you're safe with us."

"We'll never leave you alone to fend for yourself." Troy assured, "We've got you covered."

"We love ya too much to let anything bad happen to you." Stacy smiled as she emerged from the back bedroom with Dale, "With us, you're safe as can be."

"We'll do what we can to make things as easy and comfortable for you as possible." Wade added, "If you ever feel even a little bit unsafe, we'll be there to help ya, whether it's three in the mornin' or six in the evenin'. If some bullshit comes up that you need support to get through, we'll be there. All of us will."

"Mmm-hmm." Jess smiled, "Sound good to ya?"

A lump had formed in my throat, preventing me from speaking. My heart was swollen with love. While I always knew I was welcome on the farm no matter what, my family had never spoken to me about that so directly before. I fought hard to keep my tears back. I smiled in an attempt to stay strong, but a tear managed to run down my cheek, and I sniffled. 

Without a word, Jess pulled me into a bear hug, "If you cry, we'll all cry." 

"I... know..." I managed to croak, "Just know... that I'm happy."

"So'r we..." Jess mumbled, rubbing my back, "So'r we..."

"Thank... you..." my jaw trembled as I smiled and wiped away more tears, "I love you all."