A McClendon Thanksgiving

by Sean D. Young

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Friends and family filled the spacious home of Russell and Myra McClendon on Thanksgiving Day. Faith took great care in choosing her outfit for dinner today. She wore a modern khaki, black-bow- and buttons-decorated pencil dress. She couldn’t help but smile when she looked in the bathroom mirror as she applied her bronze-colored, shimmering eye shadow.

  Slipping on her gold bangles, Faith took her long hair and swept it into an updo style, securing it with a beautiful Austrian-crystal hair clip. She walked into the bedroom and pulled her high heel shoes out. She chose a pair of taupe- and black-striped pumps that matched her outfit to a tee. Faith felt great and thought she looked great too.

  It seemed like old times as she and her siblings had worked together in the kitchen the night before. They didn’t get to have their traditional sleepover since they worked until two in the morning, finishing up everything. She did appreciate Renee keeping quiet about what transpired between her and Michael. The less folks knew, the better. It was hard enough wondering if he was going to show up or not. She didn’t need people asking questions.

  “Treecie, you better get up girl; folks will be coming in soon,” Faith said, sitting on the edge of the bed, slipping on her shoes.

  Patrice flipped the cover over her head. “Turn out the light when you leave,” she said from beneath it.

  Faith walked over and yanked the feather down comforter off Patrice. “Get up, Treecie,” Faith warned.

  “Okay, you go ahead. I’m coming.”

  Faith knew that getting Patrice up was like a plumber trying to get an old washer off a rusty pipe. The more he pried, the worse it got, so she would leave her sister to herself.

  At the top of the stairs a wave of nerves hit Faith in the stomach and immediately she knew why. If Michael showed up, she would have to deal with the state of their relationship.

  Soon, she was distracted by the many familiar faces she hadn’t seen in years, each one offering a hug and a kiss. She was thankful to be surrounded by her family. This year the meaning of Thanksgiving was different from all the others she’d experienced since getting married. At first Faith didn’t think she had anything to be thankful for this year, with all the drama, but now, instead of singing the blues, she wanted to rejoice.

  Faith leaned against the doorframe, looked around the house that was filling up pretty quickly and observed the people in it. This was what Thanksgiving was all about—sharing with friends and loved ones, giving thanks for each other. She now understood what her mother meant when she said they were blessed to be able to share. Of course, it was disappointing that Laurence was absent, but Faith also had to acknowledge the fact that she truly, truly missed Michael.

  It had been a weird week without Michael. Faith had never experienced this kind of heartache. When she’d left Kevin, her feelings were mixed with anger because of his control, deception and treatment of her. He’d only used her to make himself look good.

  But Michael had always been there for her, supported her decisions, so the heartache of losing him, her encourager, friend and lover, hurt down to her soul. She felt like part of her was taken away.

  The deep chime of the doorbell brought her back from reminiscing. She rushed to the door, swinging it open without looking to see the identity of the visitor.

  Immediately, her throat went dry at the sight of Michael and his mother. She blinked several times to be sure it was Michael standing in front of her. And it definitely was, looking handsome as ever with a fresh haircut and glowing skin.

  “Happy Thanksgiving, Faith,” Margaret said, stepping into the foyer of the home.

  Suddenly Faith wanted to be anywhere but there, standing in front of Michael, but it was too late. She put a smile on her face, hoping it would hide the pain in her heart. “Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Margaret.” She held the door open wider. “Come on in, out of the cold,” she said, reaching for the dessert carrier.

  “Margaret, is this your German chocolate cake?”—Faith wanted to know.

  Margaret smiled. “Yes, dear, I had to bring something. I hope everyone will enjoy it.”

  Michael stuck his head around his mother’s neck. “Well, if they don’t, I know I will.”

  Faith nodded her head. “Michael,” she greeted him.

  “Faith,” Michael replied as he assisted his mother with removing her coat. His expression revealed little of his feelings.

  “Follow me and I’ll show you where to hang your coats while I put the cake away.” Faith turned around and ushered them into the living room where a crowd was gathered.

  “Does your mother need any help in the kitchen?” Margaret asked.

  “Why don’t we go in the kitchen and see how things are going?” Faith said.

  She and Margaret continued through the house as Michael placed their coats on the hangers in the guest closet.

  Faith had to find a place on the dessert table to place Margaret’s cake. She left Margaret in the kitchen with her mother and headed to the family room to check on the children.

  There was supposed to be one adult downstairs to keep an eye on them until it was time for dinner, but when Faith got down there, the children were alone. Amazingly, they were all sitting in front of the big-screen television, their eyes transfixed by the animated figure on the screen. Tuning in a little more, Faith observed that it was the latest Disney feature film that had grabbed their undivided attention. No wonder they hadn’t heard a peep from them.

  Sensing that all was well, she headed up the stairs and back to the kitchen.

  “Faith, let’s get everyone around the main table so we can give thanks, and if you wouldn’t mind, help me get all the kids’ plates prepared,” Myra said. “We want this to be done in an orderly fashion. We don’t want a mess on our hands.”

  Faith wished she’d known to just bring the children back up with her. But going to get them would give her a few more minutes away from Michael, so she didn’t mind.

  By the time she corralled all the kids together in a single file, marched up the stairs and entered the dining room, the gathering had spilled out of the dining room. Her father tried to position himself in the middle so everyone could hear him.

  They all grabbed the hands of the people on both sides and bowed heads as Russell led the prayer. Faith opened her eyes a bit to see where Michael was standing, and their gazes met and held for a few seconds before she closed her eyes again.

  Her father then turned it over to Myra who gave instructions on the seating arrangements.

  As requested, Faith and Jennifer took the children into the kitchen, where their table was set up. It worked best because the twins’ high chairs were in there. Once Faith seated the last child, she decided it would be a good idea for her to eat in the kitchen as well.

  “I can handle the kids, Faith, plus Ann is coming back to eat with her two kids,” Jennifer said. “We have enough people to help. Besides, you have company anyway, so don’t leave Michael to eat alone.”

  Faith remembered that Jennifer didn’t know that she and Michael had broken things off. But there was no need to say anything to her about it now. It would only cause her to ask more questions.

  Walking back into the dining room, there was a lot of chatter as people were finding their places. It was a beautiful sight and one that Faith hadn’t seen in a while. It brought joy to her heart to have her loved ones together.

  She searched for Michael and found him in an intense conversation with her cousin Gwen. She couldn’t help but stare at him as he laughed at whatever Gwen might have said.

  The lights had been dimmed, taper candles on the table were lit, and a glow illuminated the massive table laden with savory dishes. There were mountains of rich, creamy and buttery mashed potatoes, a flavorful sea of gravy, tangy sweet-potato casseroles, plenty of their grandmother’s recipe for old-fashioned cornbread dr
essing, and string beans and white potatoes mixed with ham hocks and rich spices. It was a king’s spread, and watching the way people were piling it on their plates, there was a possibility they wouldn’t have any leftovers.

  Faith waited until Michael took his seat toward the middle of the long twenty-four-person table before she found a seat of her own across from Patrice.

  “Why is Michael sitting way down there? He should be sitting across from you, Faith,” Patrice said. She got up and asked Michael to switch seats with her.

  When Michael hesitated, Patrice looked between the two of them. “What is wrong with y’all?” she asked, giving Faith a questionable stare. “You couldn’t keep your lips off each other in the grocery store. Now you don’t want to sit across from each other?”

  Faith just wanted to punch her sister to keep her from talking so much. She wondered if Patrice ever listened to some of the things she said. Faith slowly scanned the room to see if anybody else was paying attention to them. There were several conversations going on at the same time—thank goodness, they hadn’t been.

  Faith was relieved when Michael took the seat without responding to Patrice’s smart remark. When he placed his linen napkin over his lap, Michael glanced at her and Faith mouthed the words thank you.

  When he smiled, Faith’s heart melted.

  Russell stood and started slicing the rest of the turkey since there were no more precut pieces to be served. They started passing the dishes from the head person at each end, to the right.

  “So, how are you, Michael?” Myra asked.

  “I’m fine, Mrs. McClendon.”

  Faith watched them both closely to see if they were speaking in some kind of code. She still hadn’t spoken to her mother about her conversation with Michael. There was no need since they’d broken things off.

  “I’m so glad you came to dinner, Michael,” Myra continued, but then she gave Faith a look.

  Margaret, who was sitting next to Faith’s Uncle Henry, interrupted, “We’re just pleased that you invited us. With Becky spending the holidays with her husband’s family in Boston, it would have just been me and Michael.”

  “Yep, thanks so much for including us,” Michael added.

  From time to time, Faith noticed the glances Michael gave her as they dined and fellowshipped with the others. Faith took into account the way her uncle was assisting Margaret with anything she needed. She studied them for a couple of moments, watching the interaction between the two of them.

  “Mrs. McClendon, are we putting off doing the family portrait until Laurence gets back?” Michael asked.

  Faith watched her mother carefully to see her reaction, knowing how excited she was to have photos of the family taken during the holidays.

  Myra put her fork down on her plate and leaned forward into Michael’s line of sight. “Yes, we have no other choice but to postpone it until then.” She looked at Faith and Patrice. “I know the girls won’t do it without him and I’m okay with that.”

  “Do you have an approximate date as to when he’ll be back?”

  Myra didn’t answer verbally; she just shook her head. Faith saw the sadness in her mother’s eyes, and then her father reached over and squeezed Myra’s hand. They looked at each other and smiled.

  “Well, I’ll be ready whenever you are. Maybe we can make a day of it and get some action shots and create a keepsake for you and Mr. Mac,” Michael said with promise before he set his gaze on Faith.

  Faith wasn’t surprised when Michael came up with an idea that would satisfy everyone. He always looked out for others and that quality tugged at her heart. Every day this week she’d felt that something was missing and she knew that it was Michael. Faith wondered if maybe she’d acted too hastily in breaking up with him. But after the harsh words she’d said to Michael, she questioned if he would take her back.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  With the evening winding down, Myra, Francis and Margaret were in the kitchen, assisting the other guests with gathering the leftovers. Myra supplied them with small Styrofoam carryout containers so everybody could take something with them. It made cleanup and portions easy, with less spillage and waste of aluminum foil.

  Faith walked into the kitchen to see if she could help. “You need any help mom?”

  “Wait a minute,” Myra said, snapping a paper towel from the roll.

  “What is it?” Faith asked, studying her mother’s facial expression.

  “We forgot to decide the winner of this year’s best dish contest.”

  The women went over to the table where the contestants left their entries. “No wonder we forgot, there is only one entry.” Myra said, looking up at the others.

  “Gwen’s,” Francis said.

  Faith leaned closer to the two women. “I was going to enter and so was Renee, but we had so much other work, we decided to skip this time.”

  Myra smiled and cupped Faith’s cheek. “You girls did a fantastic job in helping me with dinner. It’s okay.”

  “What are you going to do? Don’t you usually announce the entries and then the winner?” Faith didn’t know if they’d changed the process since she’d been away.

  Myra placed her hands on her hips, twisting her mouth to the side. “I tell you want we’re going to do.” Myra waved for them to come closer to her.

  Faith, Francis and Grace obliged and listened carefully. “We’re just going to go in, congratulate Gwen and give her the trophy.”

  “Do you think anyone will ask questions?”

  “If we do this right, they won’t” Grace replied.

  “Yes, and that child has wanted this so badly, for so many years.” Francis said.

  Myra nodded. “Yep. Today it’s her turn.”

  Grace went over to the far corner in the kitchen where she’d placed the trophy and picked it up.

  Together, they all went into the dining room where folks were drinking coffee and eating dessert.

  “Listen up everyone, we’re here to announce the winner of this year’s best dish contest.”

  Everyone in the room clapped, which made Faith smile. This moment had always been exciting, even though this time they only had one entry.

  Myra took the trophy from Grace and held it up. “This year’s McClendon Thanksgiving Best Dish is awarded to Gwendolyn McClendon Hamilton.”

  Faith watched Gwen jumped up from her seat and ran over to take the trophy. Finally, she realized that this contest was indeed important to her cousin.

  Uncle Henry took a picture with Gwen and the trophy and everyone applauded before going back to whatever they were doing. Gwen went back to her seat with the trophy sitting right next to her.

  Thanksgiving dinner was a success.

  Renee, Patrice and Jennifer were attending to the children, and Michael had just spotted Faith going down the hall toward the restroom. While they were eating dinner, he tried, but didn’t succeed in, stealing glances of her throughout the meal. He felt a tug on his heart each time he heard her sigh.

  He could only hope she missed him as much as he missed her. He had to take a chance and talk to her before leaving. If she turned him down, then he would walk away.

  He waited for her to exit the restroom before stepping out into the open. He miscalculated how close she was to coming around the corner, so he had to catch her to keep her from falling when they bumped into each other.

  Faith grabbed hold of his arm, steadying herself. “Excuse me,” she said.

  He gently grabbed her hand.

  She turned her head up and their eyes met and held.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, hoping she heard the sincerity in his apology.

  Faith’s gaze didn’t waver. “I’m sorry too.” Her apology was just as sincere.

  Michael picked up her other hand, his thumb stroking the backs of her fingers. “I guess I ask too many
questions. I pried,” he said in a whisper, his expression serious.

  “No you didn’t. I want you to know. I really do,” she said in return.

  Michael wanted to gather her into his arms and kiss her until she was senseless, right in the middle of the hallway. He didn’t care who saw them. He loved this woman and he wanted to make things right between them.

  “This has been the longest week of my life,” he said as he leaned over, placing a delicate kiss on her lips, then retreated quickly.

  “Mine too,” Faith said in response once she caught her breath.

  Michael took two steps closer to her. “Please forgive me, Faith,” he said, gently pulling her into his arms, heart pounding, and kissed her again, this time more deeply and methodically than the last time. It would be a while before they came up for air.

  “All I wanted was your heart,” he said honestly.

  “You have my heart, Michael.”

  When he embraced her this time, he lowered his head, devouring her mouth, their tongues doing a dance of their own. Several moments later, the kiss ended and both their eyes fluttered opened at the same time, desire filling them.

  “We need to talk,” she said, hanging on to him, her arms around his waist.

  He pulled back slightly, his lips hovering over hers. “Yes, baby, we really do,” he said, hope rising once again.

  “I’m going home when I leave here,” she informed him.

  “I need to get my mother home safely and then I can come over afterward.” Michael paused and then said, “If that’s okay with you.”

  “I’ll be waiting for you,” she said before releasing him and walking away.

  Michael waited a couple more seconds before he returned to the dining room, but everyone had left. He went looking for his mother in the kitchen, which was the last place he’d seen her, but she wasn’t there.

  He went downstairs to the family room and there she was, playing pool with Faith’s Uncle Henry. For a few moments, Michael decided to watch them before he went over to say something to her. He hadn’t seen his mother laugh so hard in years, as Henry called himself “trying to teach her how to play the game”.