It’s late afternoon, and the sun is shining, but it’s just chilly enough to need a sweater.
Laughter floats outside by way of the open window. My children are finishing preparations for our Thanksgiving feast with the help of Oliver, Hudson, and Liz, while Rose keeps June Bug and the grandkids busy when they aren’t playing sous-chef.
I’d be lying if I said my hands haven’t been itching to jump in and take over—I’m only human, after all—but they insisted I spend the day relaxing. Rose and I watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade together like we did as kids, while the scent of butter, cinnamon, and crisp apples made my mouthwater. I’m not even allowed to know what’s on the menu, but whatever’s drifting onto the deck smells divine.
The autumn leaves are putting on a show for us, twirling and dancing as they drop to the earth. How do they know they’ll be safe when they take the plunge? Or do they? Perhaps the destination isn’t important to them. Maybe it’s all about the fall.
“Sister,” Rose says, poking her head out the back door. “It’s time to eat.”
“After you.” Ron holds out one hand and places the other on my back.
“It smells good in here,” I say, making my way to the formal dining room with Ron on my heels. June Bug bounds up to me for a scratch before heading off in search of food.
The sight of the dining table takes my breath away and makes me laugh, all at the same time. There’s a golden-brown turkey at the center with a leafy green salad, dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, creamed corn, turnip greens, roasted carrots with broccoli, and…pizza rolls.
“Noah and Emily made those especially for you, Mom,” Ben says when he catches my eyes on them.
Noah bounds to his seat. “Yeah, because remember when we had those for breakfast last Christmas!”
“That was fun!” Emily grins.
“No holiday meal is complete without pizza rolls,” I say as Ron pulls out a chair for me at the head of the table before sitting in the seat to my right.
Ellie chuckles. “You’re definitely going to regret saying that.”
“You’ve outdone yourselves, kids,” Rose says, taking her place at my other side. “Everything looks delicious.”
Once we’re all seated, everyone chatters happily as they begin serving their plates and passing the food.
“I’m starving,” Ellie says, patting her newly-showing baby belly.
“Here.” Ben places two scoops of potatoes on her plate. “One for you and one for baby.”
“Nobody slip June Bug any turkey. No matter how cute her puppy dog eyes are,” Ron says. “It gives her the toots.”
“MJ, you’ve got to try the dressing. Lucy made it.” Willow beams with pride.
“You did?” I ask her.
“I’m a wife now,” Lucy says, squeezing Willow’s shoulder. “Figured it was about time I learn to cook. Otherwise, I’m going to be stuck eating kale for the rest of my life. I’ll give you three guesses on who made the salad.”
“Wait till you try the cranberry sauce Liz made.” Lindsey passes the gorgeous dish to Rose. “It’s to die for.”
“And those brownies you made, Lindsey,” Liz says.
Lindsey smiles over at me. “It’s Mom’s recipe. She got it from a cookbook at some estate sale when we were kids.”
“Well, they’re amazing.” Hudson takes a sip of his wine. “I might have eaten one or three while we were cooking.”
Liz pokes him in the arm. “Five. You ate five.”
“Okay, brownie patrol,” Hudson teases.
“Think we can sneak some of those into the Titans game Sunday?” Oliver asks.
“Now, there’s an idea,” Willow says.
“If I can’t take food, I’m not going,” Rose garbles around a roll.
