That
evening after Matt heads home, and Mom pulls Adam and I off to the side
and asks us if we think she should invite Matt and his sister over for
Thanksgiving dinner, which of course we both agree to. Mom beams as she
says, "You two are the best! I couldn't ask for better children than you
two, and I love you both so much. I'll call him to let him know. Oh!
Faith, have you laid the turkey out for dinner tomorrow?" I give her a
nod and tell her that I have even started baking the pies and making
deviled eggs, macaroni salad, and the cranberry sauce. She smiles widely
before replying, "You really are too much! Thank you for starting all
of that for me. I know I haven't been around much due to work, but I
really appreciate everything you do around here." Adam smiles and says,
"I have some good news as well. I start work at Mel's Diner right in
town. It's a small little 1950's place and it pays minimum wage plus
tips." "Oh that's great news Adam! You're saving that money for college
right?" Mom asks. Adam nods, and says some of it is being saved for
college, but most of it is going to go towards fixing up his car. Mom
tells him that it's good idea and to keep up the good work, as I head
back into the kitchen to finish making the food I had started to
prepare.
The
following day is hectic from the time we all get up in the morning.
Granted most of the cooking and baking had been done the night before,
but there is still so much that needs to be done. The doorbell rings a
cheerful chime, and Adam opens the door to find Matt holding flowers for
Mom. "She's in the kitchen. Come on in," Adam tells him. Matt then
follows Adam into the kitchen where he wraps his arms around Mom before
kissing her. Mom's cheeks turn a radiant pink as she blushes, "Why don't
you sit with Adam in the living room while Faith and I finish dinner?"
"That's a grand idea. The football game is on, and I never miss it on
turkey day." he replies. "Who's playing?" Mom asks. "The Patriots vs.
The Dallas Cowboys. You know the Pats are gonna slaughter them," Matt
chuckles and kisses Mom on the cheek before following Adam into the
living room to watch the big game. "So Mom, have you and Matt discussed
future plans yet? You know, as in the big 'M'?" I ask. Mom smiles, "No
honey, I think it's a little too soon for that. What I had with your
father was special, and we knew right from the start that we were meant
for each other. He will always hold a piece of my heart." I can't help
but to get the feeling that I have met Matt somewhere before. Perhaps
from my childhood? He just has that familiar look.
An
hour later, the oven chimes, signaling the turkey is ready to come out.
Mom puts on her oven mitts and grabs the turkey out, as I gather all of
the delicious sides and place them onto the table. "Faith, can you set
the table while I get Matt and your brother to join us?" Mom asks
unknowingly that I had already started, and I nod and tell her that I
will. As Mom enters the living room, she smiles widely as Adam and Matt
are in deep conversation about how he knew our father, and that he had
served with him in the Military. "I just can't believe how much the two
of you have grown. The last time I saw you and your sister, you were in
grade school. You're father was my best friend all through high school
and was a very respected man in the Military." he tells Adam. Adam beams
at the thought of Matt being Dad's best friend and fighting beside him
during the war in Iraq. "Dinner is ready, that is if you two are ready
to eat," Mom tells them with a smile. "It smells delicious darling, and
I'm famished." Matt replies. Adam pats his stomach before saying, "You
know I'm always hungry Mom, and it does smell so very good." The two
follow Mom into the kitchen. We all sit at the table together as Mom
says grace. As we're all passing the delicious food around the table to
fill our plates, the doorbell chimes once again. Mom then excuses
herself from the table and gets up to see who it could possibly be.
She
opens the door to find Jax and Shannon on the other side. "I hope we're
aren't intruding. Is the invitation still open? My mother went to visit
my Aunt in South Carolina, and won't be home as she got stranded at the
airport due to the heavy snow, and Jax's father is out on a business
trip leaving Jax at home alone." Shannon explains. "Of course! The two
of you are like family and are always welcome here any time," Mom
replies and shows them into the dining room. "Please take a seat and
help yourselves. Matt this is Adam's friend Jax, and Faith's friend
Shannon." Mom tells Matt. He then shakes their hands and tells them that
it's nice to meet them. "So Matt tells me he was Dad's best friend and
served with him in the Military." Adam tells us.
"That's
where I have seen him before. I haven't seen him since my brother and I
were very young. He was Dad's best friend in high school, but if he was
Dad's best friend, what is he doing with our mother and how did he find
us? I guess as long as Mom is happy, what difference does it make?
After all we have been through she does deserve to be happy," I think to
myself. "That's right Adam, he was your fathers best friend, and
fought with him in Iraq. I just didn't know he had moved out here. You
see when you're father was killed, Matt was wounded when he tried to get
to your father when he noticed was shot. You and Faith probably don't
really remember him since you were very young the last time he was
around," Mom says. "I'm sure I can speak for both of us when I say that
as long as you're happy, we're happy for you. After all Mom, you deserve
to be happy too," I tell her.
After
dinner, Shannon and I clean the kitchen and put away the food that's
left over. As I'm wiping down the counter, Shannon turns to me and says,
"So Matt is kind of cute, I mean for an older guy. Do you think he's
the right one for your mom?" I pause for a moment before replying, "I
think so. I mean as long as he treats her right, and does what a man is
supposed to do to support his family, then yes I do think he's the right
one for her. Besides, Adam seems to really like him and looks up to
him. I think he can use a father figure to look up to ya know." Shannon
gives a little nod, "Yeah. I think Adam can use that too. I mean I don't
know much about fathers considering mine took off when I was five. All I
ever get from him is simple Birthday and Christmas card telling me how
sorry he is that he couldn't make it home."
I
frown slightly at the thought of Shannon's father not being around
much, "I'm sorry, I didn't know.... about your father I mean." I tell
her. Shannon sighs and says, "It's alright. I have gotten used to it
over the years. My parents can never get along when they're in the same
room. Everything turns into a huge fight, and I can't blame him for
staying away from her." I can tell by the look on Shannon's face that
she can indeed use a good pick me upper, and I know just the thing to
cheer her up! "Shannon, I know today is Thanksgiving and all, but at 6pm
Black Friday sales start. What do you say we go shopping?" I ask her.
Shannon beams as she replies, "You know for a change I haven't even
thought about that! Shopping sounds great, but would your Mom mind if we
went out? I mean she did invite Matt here for you and Adam to get to
know him." "Ugh! Yeah I kind of forgot about that. I'm sure she wouldn't
mind if we went out when he goes home," I reply.
As
Shannon and I get the kitchen finished, Mom pokes her head in and
suggests that we join them in the living room for a card game. "Matt
will be going home afterwards, but I thought it would be a great way to
spend some time with him," Mom tells us. Shannon and I nod in agreement
and head into the living room to join them. I take a seat next to Jax
and Shannon takes a seat next to Adam. "So do all of you know how to
play Rummy 500, or would you like me to explain the rules?" Matt asks
us. All of us agree that we know the rules and are ready to play. Matt
shuffles the cards and passes out six cards to each of us, and then
places the rest of the deck face down in the middle of the table with
one card facing up beside it. An hour passes and of course Mom is the
first one to go out, with Adam right behind her. "I just know that it
won't be long until I'm out of the game as well. Oh well, at least I
have Jax right next to me to keep me entertained. Then again who am I
kidding, he probably doesn't even know that I exist," I think to myself.
Two
hours fly by as the card game comes to an end leaving Shannon as the
winner. "You got lucky," Jax snickers at Shannon. "You wish! You're just
mad cause I won!" she tells him jokingly. Matt sits next to Mom on the
love seat and snuggles with her, "You have really good kids, and I'm
glad I'm able to get to know them. We should do this a little more
often. How would you feel about seeing the new Star Wars movie and bring
them along?" Mom beams as she replies, "Really? I would really love
that!" "I thought you might. How about tomorrow evening? Say after
dinner at Black Diamond?" he asks. "That sounds great! Adam, Faith what
do you think?" Mom asks us. We both tell her that sounds like alot of
fun and that we would really love to go. "Well then it's settled. Black
Diamond for dinner, and see the movie afterwards. I really don't want
this night to end, but I really need to get home as it's getting late.
I'll pick you and the kids up at six O'clock," Matt replies as Mom walks
him to the door.
"I
should be going too," Jax tells us. "You know Jax, you and Adam could
come Christmas shopping with us," I tell him. With a smirk, Jax replies,
"Thanks, but no thanks. Shopping on Black Friday isn't my thing. Are
you sure you girls know what you're in for? With all of the other
customers pushing you out of the way, knocking you down, and snatching
things right out of your hands?" Shannon lets out a giggle before
replying, "This isn't the first time I have been shopping on Black
Friday, and I'm sure it won't be the last, so I'm well aware of how
horrible other shoppers can be. But I can assure you that it's not as
bad as others make it out to be. We'll be fine." "Mmhmm" Adam murmurs
jokingly. Just then I hear Mom tell Matt goodnight and shuts the door
behind him.
Shannon
follows me into the foyer where we find Mom who is about to head into
the living room. "Hey Mom, I just thought I would let you know that I'm
gonna do a little shopping with Shannon, and we'll be back in a couple
of hours" I tell her. "Where are you going to go shopping?" Mom asks us.
"We're just gonna head on up to a few boutiques in town and get some
Christmas shopping done. Don't worry Mrs. Parker, I'll have her back in
two hours," Shannon tells her. With a smile, Mom tells us to have fun
and if for any reason we're gonna be late to call her. We give her a
little nod, and I grab my jacket and purse as we head out.
As
we arrive at the Square Mall in town, I can't help but notice how cute
all of the little boutiques look as they're decorated for Christmas. "If
we would have left earlier, we would have seen the Christmas Tree
lighting. My parents and I used to come here every year for it. That is
until they split up. Ever since I got my drivers license, I haven't
missed it. I have so many memories here, that it just reminds me that
there are still good things in this world, and I can't help but get a
warm feeling every time I come here this time of the year." She tells
me. I tell her again how sorry I am about her parents splitting up, and
she tells me not to worry about it. After we park the car and walk
towards the entrance, there are crowds of people everywhere. I don't
even think there is anywhere to even walk. Two middle aged women are
fighting over some doll that happens to be the last one on the shelf,
and two other women that can't be much older than us, are fighting over
who knows what. "What do you say we just come back another day, this
place is just a mad house?" I ask her. She nods in return, and drops me
off at home where Adam is still in the living room watching a movie.
"What happened to being gone for a couple of hours?" He smiles. "Oh shut
up Adam. That place was a mad house, and I'm sure you wouldn't have
stayed there either." I tell him. "Ha! I wouldn't go shopping on Black
Friday even if my life depended on it!" he snickers. "Well since you're
home early do you wanna watch this movie with me? I had just started
it." He asks. "What movie?" I ask him. "Reindeer Games," he replies.
"One of my faves! You know I can't resist that movie!" I reply.
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