Biebe: Thanksgiving

by Atonia

Part 7

Toni went into the dining room to find plates and silverware for their dinner. Connie and Donna were stuffing the turkey and she was momentarily overcome with memories and had to get out of the kitchen. She was here in John’s house, and the memory of their thanksgiving together was fresh in her mind.

John had been out in the yard with the kids, Jack and Terry, he came through the kitchen and paused a moment as Connie mixed up the stuffing. He was remembering too and he went through the house looking for Toni, findng her staring out of the dining room window.

“Hey, Toni,” she turned and he could see she’d been crying and he knew why, “wanna go for a walk?”

“Yes,” She followed him out the front door. He took her hand and headed for the drive and they walked.

“I guess we’re thinking the same thing, I always do when I smell stuffing.”

“Do you, John? We had no idea what we were doing did we, just chopped and threw it all together.”

“We knew we were falling in love, it was all fresh and new like the snow. We had some great times, Toni.”

“Yes we did, and I haven’t forgotten them. John I…”

“Toni…” They laughed a little, “you go first.”

“I just wanted to say how happy I am for you. You’ve got your family and kids, and it couldn’t have been any other way as much as I loved you…”

“I still love you, all those vows we made when we got married, I don’t forget, even though I’ve got my life goin’ here I don’t forget, Toni.” He took her in his arms and kissed her. “I know you’ve got a good life with Terry and Jacky too. Still, we’ve got this other thing don’t we?”

“Yes we do. I’m glad you haven’t forgotten.”

“Like I ever could forget you,” he hugged her and they began walking again, “and turkey stuffing.”

“And helicopters over the stove, and ice skating.”

“And car wrecks and hospitals.”

“I was so afraid I was going to lose you that day, I thought I’d die if anything happened to you.”

“Terry and Max to the rescue, so many memories.”

“Have you ever told Donna about any of it?”

“A few things, when we were at the House of Four Seasons I told her about the pond freezing and skating and how you’d bring me hot soup and cocoa. You know there’s not much I would want to tell her, it was something you and I shared. Did you tell Terry?”

“No, and he’s never asked about any of you. We should probably go back, I um need to finish setting the table.”

“Yeah, we probably do need to go back, I was hoping to get a few minutes with you, looks like that’s all I’m gonna get too.”

“That’s probably all we need, you know?”

“Yeah, I know,” he ran his hand down her arm and pulled her to him for another kiss and turned them back to the house. He turned and looked at her and smiled several times; no words were needed between them.

They were sitting around the dining room table having their dinner and Mikey told Jack about the first Thanksgiving with the pilgrims and Indians. “You’re thankful for pilgrims and Indians and corn pudding?”  He asked Mikey.

“I think we’ve moved beyond that, Jack,” John said.

“Ah, so we might be thankful for things like turkey and good cooks. If this is a thankful day then I should be thankful for John and Donna who invited me here,” he looked around the table, “and for my family.”

“We’re thankful for you, Jack and all you’ve done for all of us.” Terry said.

“Here, here,” Max said and they all raised their wine glasses to Jack.

“I have done nothing, you embarrass me.” He looked at Toni, “if we are thankful for anything it should be Toni, for without her none of us would be here, she is our mother, our lover and our friend.” He turned to Mikey, “when you are older perhaps you will be thankful for her too.”

Connie watched Toni fight down tears and try and compose her face, she felt for her.

Toni finally spoke, “I am thankful for all of you who have made my life so complete.” She reached over and took Terry’s hand under the table. “For my husband, Terry and our son Jacky, for John and Donna, Mikey, Joey and Claire, for Max and Connie and for you, Jack; I love you all.”

“My turn,” John said, “I’m thankful for Toni, and I’m thankful for the brothers I have. We’ve all shared a lot between us. I’m especially thankful for my wife Donna who has come through this with me and for my kids.”

“I’m thankful for my family,” Max said, “and for Connie who has come into the family. It means something knowing you’re not alone out there, somebody cares about you” He looked across the table at Toni, “loves you.”

“I think I am most thankful for my wife Toni, I couldn’t exist without her, she’s given me a son and three brothers who I care about and even love. John, Donna, thanks for making this day possible.”

Joey sat between Donna and John, he finally spoke up and said he was thankful he didn’t have to eat anymore and could he go watch his video. They all laughed and excused the boys from the table, but the things they’d said still hung in the air around them. Max refilled their glasses with the wine he’d sent over from his vineyards.

“Well, we are a thankful table, this has been my first Thanksgiving, I do hope it will not be the last.” Jack held his glass to be refilled.

“I am amazed at the depth of feelings around this table, I feel honored to be a part of it.” Connie said.

“You are a part of it, you and Donna both,” Toni said.

“I’m so glad you all came, this has been really special having you all here.” Donna picked up her wine glass.

Jack saluted her with his glass, “ To you my lady, for your hospitality.”

Later that night after the kids were all settled in bed, they gathered in John’s den and Jack played his violin for them. It had been a gathering none of them would forget, and they promised to do this every year, Toni invited them to Virginia for the next one. 

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