Me and Brian recovered quickly from the blow of our failed quasi relationship; the first couple of days were awkward as hell but once we talked and said that this shouldn’t be so awkward we managed to go on like it had never happened. I could even say that it was all better than before. Me and Patrick, on a personal level, were same as always. Patrick was in a great mood and me… I thought about the kiss(es) every now and then telling myself that there would be time to think about that later. Patrick hadn’t asked about the whole thing and he said that he would wait for my answer. Maybe I could drag this on to the point where he forgot it ever happened.
Planning Thanksgiving also took a lot of my time. I had a bunch of numbers for a bunch of catering companies but I had no idea what the Maynard family had during the holidays so I had to go to the only person in the family that I was comfortable asking about it: Regina.
Regina was so excited that I was going to her for advice on decorations and food. She even pulled out a couple of pictures from previous years so I could see what her mother loved for Thanksgiving. I managed to have the companies at the house with a couple of samples so Patrick could decide on which one to hire. It wasn’t too difficult we both agreed on the same one and I was left alone to the whole planning from that point.
So here I was, Thanksgiving morning, and from the moment I opened my eyes I felt nervous. I was so damn nervous, Patrick’s entire family was coming over and everything, from the decorations to the food and beverages, was my responsibility. I wanted it to be perfect.
I had gone with the wicker pumpkin theme. It wasn’t a real theme. I didn’t even know that wicker pumpkins were a thing but when the catering service brought along their catalogue of decorations I thought they were kind of cute and elegant if used in a very tasteful way. So, at 7 in the morning I found a group of 10 people BUILDING the damn pumpkins right outside the pool house. I guess they thought that they should be far from the main house. I immediately had the impulse of finding Tracy but I forgot she was not planning this mini event so I went out to see what was going on.
“Hi, excuse me,” I said putting my hands in the pockets of my winter jacket that I had worn over my pjs.
“Oh Miss Stuart,” Of course… I was Miss Stuart. “I’m glad you are here,” said Jane the woman in charge of this particular event. “I wanted to ask you how many pumpkins for the name holders are we making,” she was too happy.
“Yeah, about that. You are making them NOW?” I asked in disbelief. I could clearly see 10 people weaving and knitting wicker sticks in all sizes and colors.
“Of course, Miss Stuart, we guarantee the quality of our products,” she was all smiles. There was no point in arguing she knew her times and shit. I nodded. “So,” she continued, “how many name holders?”
“Seven,” I said yawning.
“Perfect,” Jane skipped towards the people in charge of the pumpkins.
I was up. I wasn’t about to go back to sleep and I wasn’t going to shower right then because I would be running around the house. I would take a long bath when the moment to get ready for dinner came. I decided to go to the kitchen and have some coffee.
“Good Morning,” I heard Patrick’s voice and I jumped I turned to find him sitting in a bar stool. He was still on his pj pants and white t-shirt. I was pretty sure he had been there for a while waiting for someone to make his coffee. Miranda was gone for the day so that could only be me.
“You scared me. Didn’t know you were up,” I said realizing I wasn’t in a good mood.
“Your friends with the sticks,” he said motioning outside “woke me up. You are in a really bad mood,” he said smiling
“Why are you in a good mood?” I asked as I turned on the coffee machine. He shrugged.
“I don’t know… I just am,” I nodded “You look gorgeous,” I didn’t detect a hint of sarcasm “You are scaring me,” I said as I poured the coffee on two cups and took to the breakfast bar.
“Why? Because I stated the obvious?” I shook my head, too early for this shit.
“What’s the plan for today?”I asked as I drank my coffee.
“Not much really, I hate working on Thanksgiving so I usually relax, watch a movie, sleep and then go to my parents’ house,” he drank his coffee.
“Ok, then, nothing in particular,” he nodded “what do you want for breakfast?” I asked and he had a huge smile.
“How about some IHOP since Miranda isn’t here to make your pancakes?” he wiggled his eyebrows and I had to laugh out loud at that.
“Sounds like a plan. Let me change and we’ll go,” I got up and went to the pool house. I just put some yoga pants, sweatshirt and sneakers and went to find him in the foyer dressed in his sweats.
“Let’s go,” he said and we walked out the door and he grabbed the keys to his SUV from a little wooden box that had the keys to the cars and some doors.
“Wait,” I said grabbing his hand. He took this opportunity to close his fingers around my hand. He smiled. Black caramel apples.
“Why don’t we go in my car? You can drive it if you want. It’s just that it’s been there without moving for almost 6 months,” I said and he nodded. I grabbed my keys from the little box and gave them to him. It wasn’t until that moment that he’d let go of my hand and I realized that I had let him because I liked the feeling of us holding hands. I wanted to freak out over that but decided that I was going to let that go to the kiss (es) pile and think about it when I felt like I had the capacity and time to.
We went to IHOP where I clearly saw paparazzi taking our picture. I reminded Patrick that we should send a statement or something but he just shook his head. Who I was to go against his will? We walked around the city for a little while because he wanted to go shopping for a sweater to wear that night. He had hundreds of sweaters but he wanted a new one. So, we went and after that we had lunch in a place where Patrick’s favorite spaghetti was made. We got home around 2 in the afternoon and I went directly to the kitchen where a huge staff of cooks and chefs were already working. I could smell all types of things on the air: Squash, bacon, tomato. I was excited because it smelled like happiness although I didn’t know for sure if I had ever smelled happiness. Ever.
The wicker pumpkins were looking amazing and the bigger ones were already finished. Jane was very pleased when she showed me how they’d light up from the inside where white lights were strategically placed. They did look beautiful and I was sure the house would look amazing.
By 4 in the afternoon I checked on Patrick in the T.V. Room where he was going through sports channels and watching the football game. He wasn’t a big sports fan but he liked to watch a game from time to time. After I knew he didn’t need anything I went to take a quick bath and relax. I know I’d predicted that I would be taking a long bath today but I didn’t count on being out all morning with Patrick. Although, that was especial.
I wore my straight and down, very natural make up, just gloss and no lipstick. A simple navy skater dress with grey wool tights and navy pumps. It was not a time to be stunning, it was a time to be conservative and impress Patrick’s family. I wanted to be perfect. I looked at myself in the mirror and I looked like a good girl in Thanksgiving and I gave myself a pat on the back. I went to the house to find the foyer completely decorated. It was beautiful. There were wicker pumpkins of all sizes but not too many. The stairs banister was covered with tiny brown maple leaves, at the bottom of the stairs there were two wicker pumpkins with string lights on the inside and they gave away a very delicate light that truly made you feel at home. In the tiny table where we put the keys or bags there were two clear vases with a large white candle grounded with nuts. It was beautiful. I was so proud of myself.
I went out to the front door only to find at least 30 wicker pumpkins in all sizes light up throughout the main entrance and by the door. I wanted to scream YES because I’d made the right decisions about the decorations.
I went to the kitchen and checked on the food we were having
a cheese platter to nibble on before dinner was ready and for dinner an entrée that consisted on a tomato, pumpkin and bacon soup, a main course of Roast Pork Loin with Bacon-Cider gravy with a side of Roasted Green Beans and, to top the whole thing, a beautiful chocolate cake covered in white fondant and decorated with edible painted red, orange and brown leaves.
Of course, I tasted everything and I had to say that everything seemed heavenly. Well I didn’t get to taste the cake but I had sampled it before with Patrick. I, finally, went out to the table to see the décor. It was beautiful, the linen was white and there were runners in dark brown that instead of going from head to head of the table they went across each place. Everything else was in white except the silverware and in the middle of the table right on top of the middle of each runner there were 4 vases with nuts and candles like the ones in the foyer. On top of every plate there were a brown napkin and a dark brown miniature wicker pumpkin that worked as a name holder. I sighed as satisfaction filled me. First part of the night went perfect.
“This is amazing,” I heard Patrick voice and I turned to look at him standing in the steps that went from the foyer to the dining room. He was wearing black trousers and the sweater he had bought earlier. It was a burgundy v-neck sweater.
“You like?” I asked looking back at the table. He went down the steps and stood next to me “I love it,” he whispered. I looked up to see him.
“Thank you,” I smiled. He put an arm around and smiled back.
“You look great “he said and I said Thank you again. I heard voices at the front of the house and I panicked.
“You go greet your guests, I’ll check everything in the kitchen,” I said escaping through the door that connected the kitchen and the dining room.
“Ok, everybody,” I said taking a big breath “I need to give a great first impression with some of the guest and a great impression on some others so please,” I said with a pleading tone to all the people in the kitchen that were looking at me with what I thought was pity “let’s make this the best Thanksgiving dinner ever,” Everyone nodded or said a faint yes and went back to work. In that moment I saw a waiter leave the kitchen to place the cheese platter and to offer beverages, I assumed. I rested my head on the breakfast bar and took several deep breaths. I wasn’t ready to go out.
“We are waiting for you,” II heard Patrick’s voice at the same time I felt his hand on my waist. I shook my head.
“I can’t. I’m too nervous,” I said still with my head on the bar.
“About what? This is not a social event, nothing depends on this. You need to relax and let everyone in here do their jobs,” I looked up and he was still smiling. He had been smiling all day long. It was weird.
“Give me a minute. I’ll be there in a minute,” I said standing straight up and with my hands on my waist.
“Don’t take too long,” he said and left. Ugh! I felt like the wife in this scenario it was really weird. That is why I was freaking out.
“Miss Stuart?” Oh! That fucking name. I turned to look at Jane that was already in the kitchen.
“You should go ahead, I’ll take care of everything in here,” she said and I nodded. I didn’t want to go out there. I wanted to spend the rest of the night giving orders in the kitchen. I couldn’t. Out I went to the living room.
“Lucy,” the moment I stepped out I heard Regina’s voice and then felt her hugging me. She grabbed me by the shoulders and looked at me directly in the eyes.
“Everything is beautiful. You have nothing to worry about,” she whispered and I smiled “She looks beautiful doesn’t she, mom?”said Regina, “As always,” said Elaine as she stood up to greet me.
“Hello Elaine,” I said extending my hand and she hugged.
“Hello, Dear. Everything looks marvelous,” I smiled and she patted me my hand. I shook hands with Mr. Maynard that was as sweet as the only other time I had met him.
“This is Jameson,” said Patrick introducing me to his younger brother “Jameson this is Lucinda, or Lucy, my assistant,” he said and Jameson and I shook hands.
“I’ve heard a lot about you,” he said I am sure I was blushing furiously. Jameson had a kind smile; he was dressed very casual in jeans and a t-shirt with something written in Russian. Since he was the traveler I guess it was ok. He had brown hair and his eyes were just like Patrick’s: green and with a kindness that I’ve found Patrick showed for me on certain occasions.
“All good things, Lucy,” said Regina and I smiled at her.
“And this is Stuart,” said Patrick introducing me to his other brother. He was everything I imagined he was going to be. A very serious face, black hair, brown eyes and lots of facial hair. He was dressed in a dark suit with an orange tie.
“Nice to meet you, Miss Stuart,” I cringed a little at the mention of that horrible name.
“Lucy,” I heard Patrick, Regina and his mom said at the same time and I just laughed.
“Lucy, then,” said Stuart with a small smile that looked exactly as one of Patrick’s smiles. Yeah, he has several smiles.
“Nice to meet you too,” I said smiling back.
I sat next to Regina and the night began everyone had a couple of drinks and go’s to the cheese platter before taking our seats in the table. I realized that my name had been moved from the far corner of the table, next to Regina to the opposite corner next to Patrick and his mother who asked his kids and husband to say what they were thankful for before eating.
“Me first,” said Regina, of course. “Well, I’m thankful for my family, of course, you are amazing. I am thankful for my friends, I am thankful for school and I am thankful for Lucy who is planning along Tracy the most amazing 18th party that there has ever been,” she said and everyone nodded.
“Ok, then,” said Jameson “I am thankful for the opportunity of being here,” everyone nodded “I am thankful for being able to experience nature first hand. I am thankful for being able to make a living out of what I love the most,” Patrick rolled his eyes and I pinch him in the arm “and, of course, I am thankful for you all.”
“I’m thankful for my family,” said Patrick’s father “I’m thankful for my wife, and without her I would go mad, I’m thankful for my kids. And I hope soon to be thankful for my grand kids,” everyone grunted “grand kids from my sons. Not my daughter,” he corrected and everyone laughed.
“I’m thankful for my family and my job,” said Stuart and they all looked at him expecting more but no, he was done.
“I am thankful for my kids, I am thankful for the charities I have been part of this year, I am thankful for the job my kids and husband have because it allows them to be free to do what they love. I am thankful for my husband who is the light in my darkness and I am thankful for you Lucy because you take care of the oldest of my kids,” Patrick’s mother held my hand and I felt so at home. It was overwhelming.
“Lucy, your turn, the host, Patrick, goes at the end,” said Regina and I shook my head.
“Oh, no... I couldn’t,” I said a bit choked up because of the overwhelming wave of feelings I was still having.
“I’m pretty sure you are thankful for something, Pepper,” he said grabbing my hand.
“I am thankful for a LOT,” I said looking down at my legs.
“Then go ahead,” he said and I took a big breath. There I went.
“I’m thankful for my fish,” I said and I heard Patrick chuckle “I’m thankful for my friend Nick, he was my rock for so long. I’m thankful for Stacy, she is a great friend. I’m thankful for Miranda she’s the closest thing I have to a mother.” I took a big breath because I was getting emotional “I’m thankful for my job. My job has given me a life, a chance to live, a chance to experience friendship and it has opened me up to sea of opportunities that I wasn’t aware of. I’m thankful for my boss,” everyone laughed “he has taught me so much in every aspect of my life,” I turned to look at him and he grabbed my hand. “And I’m thankful for you all because if it wasn’t for
you I would probably be in my room watching T.V and petting my fish,” I nodded and everyone nodded. Maybe I went a bit overboard with my speech but, really, I held back. I had so much more to say. Like I was thankful for Brian that didn’t gave up on our friendship after I gave him blue balls for like a month. And I was thankful for Patrick because he had given me the best kiss(as) ever without demanding anything from me because he knew of my feelings phobia. I definitely held back
“Me,” said Patrick still holding my hand. I didn’t let go of his hand. I didn’t want to.
“I have a lot to be thankful for this year,” he said and in that moment I knew this was going to be emotional as hell I think I held his hand harder if that was possible “I am thankful for the new project we are starting,” I nodded “Thankful for my assistant who came up with the genius idea. Thankful for my job, of course. Thankful for my family. Thankful for Brian because he is an incredible friend. Thankful for sorbets, thankful for midnight munchies, thankful for galas, thankful for my library, thankful for coffee. Thankful for my best friend in the entire world,” he shut up and I was already wanting to run away.
“You already said you were thankful for Brian,” said Regina and Patrick shook his head.
“No, my best friend in the entire world. Lucinda,” I looked up to meet his eyes and he had tears in them. Of course, and obviously, I had tears in mine because why not?
“I’m going to check on diner,” I said and went to the kitchen. I stood there for a couple of minutes getting my shit together. And when I finally heard laughter and that they had moved on from the giving thanks of Thanksgiving I went out.
“Dinner,” I said as the waiters came with the soup.
The food was amazing and everyone said so. I was so excited about how everything went perfectly. Everyone seemed quite pleased and I even noticed Stuart laughing out loud a couple of times. Patrick seemed happier than ever and I felt that I belonged somewhere.
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