Turkey for Dinner Part III

Part III

Cate pushed the red gingham curtain aside and peered out the kitchen window. Fat white snowflakes swirled down from a pewter sky. Already, there were a few white spots where the grass met the concrete walk. “Gran! Look outside! It’s snowing! I don’t think we’ve ever had a white Thanksgiving before.”
“My goodness, will you look at that! Starting to stick, too. I’d better call Mrs. Judson and tell her she can come early. I wouldn’t want her to miss out on Thanksgiving because of the snow.”
“You don’t have to do that. I’m sure Ricky can get here even if there are a couple of inches of snow on the ground.” Even as Cate said the words, she knew that Gran wouldn’t be happy until she’d talked to Mrs. Judson on the phone.
“I have the phone number upstairs. I’ll go get it,” Gran said.
Cate picked up another small white onion from the small mountain in front of her and peeled it. So much for Gran making Ricky Hall peel them. Three onions later, Cate had tears snaking down both cheeks. She wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her sweatshirt. Just as she picked up another onion, the doorbell rang. Who could be at the door at 7:30 on Thanksgiving morning?
“Gran? Can you get that?” Cate called.
No answer. She must still be on the phone in the bedroom.
The doorbell pealed again.
Cate gave another swipe at her cheeks as she pulled open the wide front door. One look at the man standing there, and she swung the door closed. With one arm extended, the man at the door pushed the door back open.
“Hello Cate. Hey, Thanksgiving is a happy holiday. It’s not a time for tears. Not unless you sat on a piece of pie or something?” Ricky Hall propped one shoulder against the door frame looking so... smug, Cate itched to smack the smirk off his face.
“Saved an extra-big piece of pumpkin just for you, Ricky.” Cate retorted.

(c) by Susan Atwood 2007