Life, Etc. -- Seventeen

After Megan hung up, they chatted for a few minutes, before she asked, “Have you heard from Isabelle since we were together?”

 “Actually, Isabelle called the other day—I’d invited her over for coffee.  But she had a bad cold and didn’t want to bring her germs.  I made a pot of chicken soup and took it to their house.  Roland answered the door but didn’t invite me in.”

 

The two women decided on a menu for Thanksgiving and Diane said that because of her active boys, she’d host the dinner.  Megan’s spirit began to lift.  As Diane left, she said she’d try to think of another couple of people to invite.

At noon, she went up to her apartment to fix sandwiches for her and Chris.  Her cell phone rang just as she started back down to the shop.  “Hi, Diane, haven’t talked with you in ages!” Megan laughingly said.

“Megan, we have two more for Thanksgiving dinner!” Diane said enthusiastically.

“Hey, you’re a fast worker!  Who did you find in this short of time?”

“You’re not going to believe this, but Isabelle came by right after I got home.  She said that Roland came home from work earlier today and told her he had to go away for several days.  She has no idea what he’s up to—that he’s been talking about going into the ministry again—starting up his own church.  Anyway I asked her if she and her daughter would like to come to our get-together for Thanksgiving.  At first she was hesitant, but I kept urging her, and she finally said yes.”

“That’s really great, Diane.  But, I wonder what Roland’s up to.  I would hate for Isabelle to have to leave town just when she’s begun to know there’s something beyond what her life has been.”

“Right, but I’m glad she’s willing to come on Thanksgiving.  Maybe she’ll know more by then.”

Thanksgiving morning began with sun streaming in Megan’s bedroom window.  Wow, how can anyone be glum on a day like this?  Megan got up, took her shower, and her ritual morning coffee out onto the deck.  Dinner was planned for 3:00, and Megan had two salads planned.  Stephen and Michael were bringing vegetables, and Isabelle insisted on making dessert.  Another year of fasting following holidays….

At 2:30, Megan set off for Diane’s.  When she rang the doorbell, the boys started screaming.  They loved having company—as if their own commotion wasn’t enough!  Diane yelled from the kitchen to come on in.  The dining room table, decorated in fall colors, looked beautiful.  Megan took her salads to the refrigerator.

 

“Have you heard anymore from Isabelle?  Is she still coming?”  Megan was excited at the prospect, but unsure it would happen.

“She called this morning to make sure she was bringing enough.  Her desserts sound yummy!”  Diane smiled.

At 2:45 the doorbell rang.  Isabelle and her daughter, Rachael, entered as Stephen and Michael drove up.  Rachael took to the boys right away.  She asked if they liked to play games and the three headed for the family room.  The adults gathered in the kitchen to start the get-acquainted process and combine their skills to finish dinner.

 

“Who wants to carve the turkey?”  That was one job that Diane never attempted.

“I can do that job, I think.”  Michael stepped forward with a sheepish, hesitant grin.

 

“That’s what we want—confidence!”  They all laughed.

“These desserts look wonderful.  You should start a business, Isabelle.”  Although Stephen believed what he said, he also knew that Isabelle needed to hear the words.

 

“Actually, when we lived in Texas, I used to do baking for a small sandwich shop.”

“You’re kidding!  What would it take to get some samples in The Brew?”

 

The five adults mixed easily.  By the time they sat down to eat, they were laughing and teasing as if they’d been longtime friends.

 

Rachael was a natural with the boys.  They loved her, and she enjoyed entertaining them.  At 15, her easy way provided just the incentive for the boys to be on their best behavior.

Megan suggested they all share one thing they are thankful for.  The common theme related to friendship.  And they each expressed their gratitude for those around the table.

“So, Michael, how did you meet Stephen?” Megan began as they started passing food.

“At a theological conference in San Francisco about five years ago,” Michael looked at Stephen and smiled as he spoke.

“Wow!  I didn’t realize that Baptists and Episcopalians went to the same conferences.”  Megan was attempting a joke, but knew enough about the differences in the two traditions that she still felt surprised.

Stephen spoke up.  “Actually, the more conservative ministers usually don’t attend conferences where several belief systems are represented.  What we try to do is collaborate on issues we have in common.”

Diane lifted a card from a small dish on the table.  “Hey, why don’t we all pick one of these cards and go around and answer the questions on them?  It’s a great way to learn interesting details about one another!  I’ll go first.”  Diane laughed when she read her card.  “At what age did you receive your first kiss and by whom?”

Immediately, Jeremy and Jordan began giggling.  “Mom, did you kiss anyone before Daddy?”  Jeremy’s face was alight with curiosity.  The boys remembered their father mostly from pictures Diane kept around the house, and stories she brought into conversations to keep his memory alive.

“Well, let me see.  I think it was Jimmy Eliott.  We were at the 7^th grade school picnic.  He had thrown a ball behind some bushes and we both ran to get it.  Now that I think of it, I’m sure it was planned on his part,” Diane said with a smug smile.  Again the boys giggled.

Megan looked across the table toward Stephen.  “OK, it’s your turn.  Pick a card, any card.”

“Do I get a chance to sensor it?”

“No way” piped up Megan.  “Come on, read it in its entirety!”

“What is your best memory growing up?”  Stephen thought for a moment before he responded.  For the next 45 minutes, each person at the table answered the questions on their card—even Jeremy and Jordan.  Rachael laughed and loved the feeling of inclusiveness in the fun at the table.

After dessert, Megan again brought up Isabelle’s creativity.  “I wonder what kind of licensing it takes to sell food from one’s own kitchen.”  She wanted Isabelle to know she was serious about buying some bakery goods.

“Let me check into it.  I’d love a creative and financial outlet!”  Megan and Diane looked at each other and smiled.  The Isabelle before them certainly sounded much more confident than the one they’d met just a few weeks before at the Book Club.

The adults spent the evening playing board games, while Rachael and the Boys watched Disney movies.  By 9 o’clock, they all decided it was time to leave and lingered by the front door thanking one another for a wonderful day.

 To be continued...