Part 4 Biebe:Thanksgiving
The private jet touched down in Bangor, Maine, the closest airport to Belfast. The passengers began gathering their belongings, books, iPods, Jacky’s toys and bottles and pacifiers. Terry carried the on board bags and Toni carried Jacky. Max went to find the rental car. Once loaded and on the road in the big SUV, Max asked where they were going.
“Just get us to Belfast. We’ll call John for directions from there.” Terry had the rental map directing Max onto the road.
Toni and Connie were in the back seat with Jacky between them in his car seat. “He was so good on the flight. I worried about his ears when we landed.”
“That’s when I stuck the binky in his mouth. I think it helps,” Toni said.
“He’s a good baby. I’ve only heard him crying a couple of times.”
“He is good. He’s not fussy, you know. He cries when he’s sleepy and won’t go to sleep. Now the time difference is going to play with him for a few days. He’ll have his days and nights mixed up.”
“Mine are already mixed up. What time is it here anyway?” Max asked.
“Just going two,” Terry replied, “which means it’s near dinner time at home.”
“Speaking of food,” Toni leaned over the front seat, “Connie and I talked about this. We need to go shopping. We can’t ask John and Donna to feed all of us for a week.”
“You’ve got my vote. Do it.” Terry replied.
“Terry, I’d like to help out John moneywise. I know he’s pretty strapped. He wouldn’t take money from me but I can make some for him if he’ll agree. What do you think?”
“Just don’t buy him a bloody company. But, yeah, we’ll talk to him about it, Max.”
“Hey, John!” Terry walked over and gave him hug. Donna came out to the drive and the boys followed, running around and being introduced.
“You must be Jacky?” John took him from Toni and gave her a soft kiss. “Hey, Toni.”
“Hey yourself. You look good,” Toni smiled
“He’s a big boy. I’m used to holding Claire.”
“Where is she?” Toni asked.
“Asleep in the den…Jack’s here.”
“Where is he?”
“Inside with Claire. Come on in.” John carried Jacky inside and Toni followed, carrying Jacky’s bag that Terry handed her.
“There is no need to unload it all until we know where it’s going,” Max said, looking at the pile of luggage growing by the vehicle.
“I’ve put you in the cottages out back. I hope that’s okay.” Donna bit her lip.
“Of course it is!” Connie replied. “Oh, I love this view! This is a lovely place, Donna.”
“Thanks, we love it, too. Follow me and I’ll show you where you’re staying.”
“Why do we have three bags, Connie?” Max asked.
“Because one is full of the things we forgot to pack.” She looked up at him and smiled.
“What happened to Toni?” Terry asked, picking up two bags and leaving the third.
“I think she went in with John. Jack’s here.” Donna walked on ahead.
Max and Terry looked at one another and then followed Donna to the cottages.
“I’ve put you and Connie in the middle one. It’s called Eider Cottage,” she grinned, “after the duck.”
“How appropriate,” Max commented. He stepped inside the little two-bedroom cottage.
“And, Terry, you and Toni are in the third one, Shell Cottage. I put a crib in there for Jacky.”
“Ta, Donna. This will work fine for us all mod cons.”
“The only thing is there is no heater, but the wood stove will heat the cottage for you. John built fires in all of them today.”
Toni walked inside with John and went over to see his little girl, sleeping in a crib. “Oh, how precious! You are proud, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, I am.”
She turned and saw Jack. “Hi, Jack.” She went over to him and he stood and held her for a minute then released her.
“Toni, it’s good to see you.”
“You’re usually the last one here. How did you beat us?”
“I sailed in yesterday from Camden.”
“You’re all modern looking.”
“I didn’t want to upset John’s boys. It would be kind of hard to explain.” He smiled slightly.
“And you couldn’t live in this world,” she said quietly and turned away to John. “Want me to take him?”
“No, he’s good with his uncle John, aren’t you boy? Have you seen him, Jack?”
“I was there at his birth. He has sprouted, hasn’t he, and grown hair.”
“He has your hair, Jack, except it’s curly.” John played with his curls. He turned toward the door as his two boys came in, pushing and shoving. “Hey, cut that out! Your sister’s asleep.” The boys raced toward the kitchen.
“Here, you’d better take him and let me sort these two out.” He handed Jacky to Jack.
“Is everything okay with you, Toni…you and Terry?”
“Yes, everything is wonderful with us. It was immediately, Jack.”
“Good. I did worry I had left a shambles. How’s Max?”
“He’s okay. I sorted him out,” she smiled.
“Well then, little man, shall we go and meet them?” He carried Jacky though the house to the back door.
Donna was walking down from the cottages. “Hi, Ton,i you’re in the third one, Shell Cottage. Terry’s up there.”
“Thanks, Donna.” Toni and Jack walked up to their cottage.
“Hey, Jack,” Terry greeted him. “Toni, I just put the bags in the bedroom. You can unpack and sort it all out.”
“Your little Jacky has grown into a fine little man.”
“Yeah, he’s mobile now, crawls all over and pulls up on anything he can get hold of. How are ya, Jack?”
“I’m well, and you?”
“Same here. I’m glad you came. We didn’t know if you’d make it or not.”
Toni came and took Jacky. “He probably needs changing.”
“I was a little surprised at the invitation. I’m not sure what Thanksgiving is but it was a chance to see everyone again.”
Terry stepped outside the cottage and lit a cigarette. “It’s a time to be thankful,” he smiled.
Connie goosed Max in the ribs. “I think it’s cute as it can be and I love the little basket she’s put in there. It’s very cozy.”
“It is cozy. I was only kidding, Connie.” He put his arms around her. “I suppose we’d better go find Jack and say hello.”
“You’re going to be nice?”
“Of course I am, buried the hatchet and everything.” He led her out of the door, saw Jack and Terry outside their cabin and walked over.
“Hello, Jack.” He shook his hand and clapped him on the shoulder.
“Max, good to see you and Connie.” He took Connie’s hands and kissed her.
“Good to see you, Jack,” Connie smiled, giving him the once over. She’d never seen him dressed like that before.
Terry looked down to the patio area. “Donna is putting out noshes. Let’s go have a butcher’s.”
Max stepped inside Shell Cottage. “It’s just like ours.”
Toni found a trash bin for Jacky’s wet diaper. “I think it's darling.”
“He wets his pants?”
“Of course he does,” Toni grinned and picked Jacky up from the bed.
“I’m thinking about one of those. It’s the only way Connie will marry me.”
“Don’t do it just for that, Max. You have to want a baby.”
“You always did, didn’t you?”
“Yes, but you wisely talked me out of it one time. I’m glad I waited.”
“I think Connie wants one, too, but she won’t say it. Let me take him. There’s food down on the patio.”
Toni found Terry holding Claire. “I want one of these,” he said, looking up at her.
“Well, you go have one then.” Toni pulled out a chair and sat down. “Until Jacky can feed himself and stand in front of a toilet and pee, I’m not talking to you about it.”
John, having settled his boys down with a plate of snacks, came back and sat with them. “Terry is spoiling my little girl.”
“She’s flirting with him,” Connie said.
“Don’t teach her that, for God’s sake.” John poured a little wine in his glass.
“It’s inborn in them. All females flirt from the time they can focus their eyes,” Jack said. “I should know. I have twin girls. They come at you with those eyes and pouty lips and what can you do but say yes to whatever it is they want.”
“I’ll bet you’re a pushover, Jack,” John said.
“I am where they are concerned. They are too intelligent by far. They know exactly when to strike.”
“Where is Donna?” Toni asked.
“She’s in the kitchen making clam chowder for dinner.”
“Not by herself, she isn’t! I hope she doesn’t think she has to wait on us and feed us all week.” Toni got up from the table, taking her wine glass with her.
“I’m coming, too. We want her to be with us this week, not banished to the kitchen, John.”
John threw his hands up and the women went inside with Donna.
Part 5:
Early the next morning Donna left to take the boys to school. John was still sleeping. The only ones up were Connie and Jack, who came out of their cottages about the same time.
“Good morning,” Connie said and walked over to him.
“Good morning to you. Another early riser I see.”
“I’ve been awake for some time. I guess it’s the time difference.”
“No doubt. Well, shall we walk? I’d like to see what’s inside the boat house down by the water.”
“I wanted to tell you that I’ve read most of the books about you and watched your movie many times.”
“And why did you want to tell me that, to let me know that you know who I am?”
“I’m not sure now. I know of you but I wouldn’t say I know you.”
Jack gave her a side glance. “What is it you want to know?”
Connie wished she hadn’t started this conversation with him. He fascinated her…what did she want to know…she couldn’t tell him that. She smiled nervously at him and stuck her hands in the pocket of her jeans. “Um, I guess I wonder what you are, how you are possible at all.”
“I’m not sure I know the answer to that. It’s all tied to the magic of the House of Four Seasons. I am Toni’s spring and always shall be. I appear here in this world because of her and for her.”
“And for your brothers.”
“They are her seasons, too. We are all connected to her. The four of us make up a whole.”
“But she chose one of you. I wonder how she could do that. It must have been a hard decision.”
“I think when she found out she would have to choose one, it was very hard for her. The next season to come was fall and Terry. He, of course, knew what she would have to do and he told her in summer when her grandmother passed away and we were aboard my ship. Terry is one for honesty. He’s up front. You know where you are with him immediately. He’s highly intelligent and is able to put his emotions aside when he needs to. He always put her well being before himself. Where Toni is more governed by emotions, Terry uses his intelligence. He has an intensity that when focused is very powerful.”
“I’ve seen some of that intensity in France. He and I had a talk when I was about to leave Max.”
“I always thought it would be Max she would choose. They are well suited to one another. He needs someone like her and I think he may have found that in you.” Jack smiled down at her.
“I take that as a compliment.”
“It was meant as one. Let’s see what John has that floats.” Jack opened the door to the boat house.
Terry, out for his morning run, saw them going into the boat house and jogged down entering behind them.
“Did you run anything down this morning, Terry?” Jack asked, running his hand over an old wooden boat.
“I’m not sure. What have we got here?”
“Merely conversation about your wife mainly. I believe Connie is an admirer.”
Terry’s eyes softened as he met Connie’s and he slipped his arm around her waist. “Admire but don’t ever think you want to be her. I wouldn’t wish that on you.”
“Nor would I,” Jack said. “Terry, would you lend a hand? I’m going to take this boat out.”
Connie thought that an odd thing to say and slipped out of the boat house while Jack was putting the boat in the water and walked to the house for coffee.
She found John in the kitchen, helping himself to the coffee pot. He handed her his cup and got another. “Morning, Connie. Did you sleep okay up there in the cottage?”
“Like a rock, thanks, John.” She went over and sat at the table. “You look sleepy.”
“I work nights and so weekends are always hard. Anybody else up?”
“Terry and Jack. Jack’s taking the old wooden boat out. I was just down at the boathouse with them and we were talking about Toni. They both said admire her but don’t think I want to be her. What do you think they meant?”
“Oh, I don’t know. It’s not easy for her, you know. She still loves all her seasons.”
“And you, do you still love her?”
“Yes. I don’t see her that much anymore but it’s all still there.”
“I’m just trying to understand it all. I accepted the fact that I may have to share Max from time to time. Does Donna have to share you?”
“That’s not happened, Connie. I don’t know that it would but then we’ve not been in a situation where it might so I can’t really answer that. Donna knows how I feel about Toni…I don’t think she’d be open to sharing.”
Connie took a breath. “You just wouldn’t tell her, would you, if it happened?”
“Probably not. What a conversation we’re having.”
“Sorry, I lay awake thinking too much this morning.”
“Where’s baby Claire?” she asked.
“Donna must have taken her with her this morning. She took the boys to school and had some errands to run.” John took a drink from his cup. “So are you and Max gonna get married?”
“He wants to but I’ve been married, John, and found that piece of paper doesn’t mean a thing. I said I’d never get married again. We love each other. I think that should be enough for now.”
John smiled and reached over, squeezing her hand. “I like you, Connie. You’re a good addition to the family.”
Connie smiled, “Well, thank you.”
Donna came back with Claire and a couple of bags of groceries. Terry brought her groceries in and put them on the counter.
“Uh oh, Toni and I were going shopping,” Connie said.
“You’d better tell Donna,” Terry replied and moved over to the coffee pot.
“Shopping for what?" John asked.
“Groceries and whatever else we consume this week, John,” Terry answered.
“You don’t have to do that.”
Terry met his eyes. “Well, we want to. So take that with your coffee.”
Toni was letting Jacky crawl around and play in the cottage. She had to watch him so he wouldn’t try and pull up on the wood stove. She found coffee makings in the cupboard and helped herself. Connie knocked on her door and came in.
“Oh, you’ve got coffee.”
“Yes, you’ve probably got it next door, too. What’s going on?”
“Not much. Jack’s taken a boat out and the rest are down at the house. Except for Max; he hasn’t surfaced.”
“Max is not a morning person. Is Terry down there?”
“Yeah, and Donna has been grocery shopping so I told her we were going to do that.”
“We should do that today. Just buy everything we see. It’s awfully late for Max to still be in bed. Let’s go wake him up.”
“Okay,” Connie smiled and opened the door.
Max was semi awake propped up in bed. “Ah, two of my favorite people. There’s room for both of you here,” he grinned and patted the bed.
“You’d like that wouldn’t you, Max,” Toni said and deposited Jacky in the bed with him.
Connie found the coffee makings. “It’s time you were up, Max. Everybody else is.”
Max buried his head in a pillow and Jacky was trying to find him. “I really need Terry’s offspring on my chest.”
“He’s mine, too. Get him, Jacky!” Jacky giggled and played with Max, who couldn’t help but smile and play back.
Connie brought Max a cup of coffee. “I’m amazed Jacky hasn’t met a stranger here. He’s not afraid of anybody.”
“He knows we’re all family.” Toni pulled him off Max so he could have his coffee. “Let’s go find your Daddy.”
Part 6:
They fell into a routine. Connie and Donna made breakfast and Toni watched the babies. Some days they picked up the boys from school and went into Belfast for a late lunch and sometimes Toni and Connie cooked. They all helped with chores, firewood for the cottages, taking out the trash and running errands for that carton of half and half somebody forgot. John had to leave every night for work around 8:30 and he slept in until 11 or 12, but he was going to have Thanksgiving day off. It was the day before Thanksgiving that the brothers went into Belfast for a beer.
Terry bought the first round and brought them over to a table. “That should get us started.” He sat down and picked up his glass.
“This has been a great week so far,” John said, sipping his beer. “This was Donna’s idea, you know.”
“Let’s drink to Donna then.” Max held up his glass. “It has been fun.”
“Thanks for taking the boys out on the boat, Jack. They couldn’t quit talking about it last night and all the stories you told them.”
Jack smiled, “I enjoyed them, too. I’m not sure they believed half what I told them, especially Mikey.”
“Ah, they’ve been coddled, don’t know how lucky they have it,” John said.
“You’ve got it lucky, too, John. I was, um, thinking you’ve got a lot of expense with that property. Have you got any money I might invest for you?” Max asked.
“Money? Hah, we’ve got about $1200.00 in savings and that’s it.”
“Hm, that would take a little longer than I’d want to work with it. How about I advance you, say, $100,000.00, invest that amount and grow it for you? I can do that and make you enough money where you won’t ever have to worry about it again, get you to the point where your money is making money and that’s what you live off, and live well.” Max sat back in his chair and caught a look from Terry.
“He can do that, John," Terry said.
“What do you mean, advance me $100,000?” John asked.
“I would simply take that amount from my own account and play with it. When it reaches its maximum I take that back.”
“What if you lose it, Max? How can you be so certain? That’s a lot of money to play with.”
“I won’t lose, John.”
John took a long drink of his beer. “Max, I appreciate it but…why does this smell like charity?”
“Because you are a bloody-minded, stupid pillock who does not deserve my time and expertise that I am offering you for free.”
“You’d better take the offer, John, before he removes it from the table,” Jack said, cocking a brow.
“I don’t get it. You’re going to lend me 100,000 bucks and turn it into who knows what for nothing?”
“Oh, I get something out of it. I get the pleasure of winning and that goes a long way with me, and who knows, I may throw in a few for myself. I wouldn’t do this for you, John, except I know that Toni loves you and would not see you struggle. Take it or leave it.”
“Well, I got nothing to lose. Go for it, Max.” John finished his glass of beer.
“Since you are a soon to be wealthy man, you’ve got the next shout, John.” Terry clapped him on the back and got up to go outside and smoke a cigarette.
John stood at the bar in a daze. He couldn’t believe what Max had just offered him.
“I thought you might need some help.” Jack stepped up to the bar.
“I…I don’t believe what Max is gonna do, and why would he do it?”
“Perhaps because he cares and because he can.”
“Why not you?”
“Because he cannot help me. There is no way to convert what he has to what I would need. I would suggest that you do not say anything to Donna until the deed is done.”
“No, I don’t think she’d believe it anyway.” John paid for the beers and he and Jack brought them back to the table. Max had stepped outside to talk to Terry for a minute and bummed a cigarette off him.
“I didn’t know you smoked?”
“Hidden vice. I generally smoke cigars. You think he’s okay with this?”
“Why wouldn’t he be? You’re going to manage it for him, right?”
“I thought I might. I’m not sure what he’d do with a million dollars.”
“Is that what you’re shooting for?”
“At least that. I’ll have to see what I can do.”
“That’s very generous of you, Max.”
“I don’t like to see him worrying over something we never give a thought to and it was time to do something for little brother.”
“You bloody scare me some times, mate. Just when I think I got you figured out you turn another direction.”
“I am the wind, the air, I can turn when I want to.” Max angled his head.
Terry put his cigarette out in the sand filled urn. “Don’t think I don’t know that.”
“Seriously, Terry, I do want to help.”
Terry had to smile at Max’s earnest look. “You’re a good big brother, Max.”
The house smelled like pumpkin and apple pies when they returned from Belfast. Connie and Donna had been baking. Toni was at the sink deveining shrimp. Since she didn’t bake she was going to make a seafood casserole for dinner.
Terry came over and leaned on her shoulder. “Need anything deveined?" she asked, holding up a strange-looking implement.”
“Not with that thing,” he replied. “Guess I’d better start thinking up plan B.”
“If plan A involved me and a bed, yes, you had. Are you sober?”
“I had four beers. I’m okay. Why”?
“Because Jacky needs feeding and I’m up to my elbows in whatever came in the nets today.”
“I can do that. Where’s his tucker?”
“In his bag by the playpen and, Terry, check his bottom first, please.”
Terry sorted out Jacky and put him in Claire’s high chair. He opened his little cups of food and found his spoon. What he really wanted to do was shag Toni and take a nap but he could adapt.
John came in and gave Donna a sloppy kiss and a hug. He was feeling great.
“You’re certainly in a good mood,” she commented as she wrapped the pies in foil.
“Yeah, I am. Are you in a good mood, Donna?”
“I think you’ve had a beer or two.”
“Or three or four,” he patted her bottom.
“Jo-hn,” she said quietly and glanced over at Terry, who was spooning something green towards Jacky’s face.
“What? He’s patted bottoms before.”
“There will be no bottom patting in the kitchen,” Toni said from the sink. “Take it somewhere else.”
“She sure is bossy. Who does she think she is?” John leaned on the hot stove and quickly righted himself.
“She has a weapon, John,” Terry said, trying to get a spoon in Jacky’s mouth.
“Oh, yeah/ We-ll I got one, too.” He sauntered over to Toni and Donna grabbed his shirt collar and turned him toward the hall to the den.
Toni laughed, “You got John drunk, Terry. Donna will kill him.”
“I had help. Who knew he couldn’t hold his beer. Toni, what is this crap? He won’t eat it.”
“Spinach and he will if you put it in his mouth instead of on his face.”
Max and Connie came through the kitchen. “See you later. We’ve got some, um, business to transact,” Max smiled, opening the back door.
“I don’t want to hear about it,” Terry replied.
“Have fun!” Toni called after them. “Okay, what did you do with Jack?”
“The boys captured him for some kind of video game. That could have been us going to the cottage for some business.”
“And who would feed Jacky and look after him?”
“Anna, who we didn’t bring.”
“You just hold that thought, Mr. Thorne. All things come to those who wait.” She finished up the shrimp, washed her hands and went over to the table. Taking pity on Terry, she finished feeding Jacky and cleaned him up. “Honey, why not take him to the cottage with his bottle? He’ll go down for a nap and you can, too.”
“Alone?”
“I’m cooking dinner tonight. Connie and Donna have done enough. Sorry, sweetie.”
Terry came around behind her and cupped her breasts with his hands. “Just so you know what you’re missing.”
“You’re not playing fair, Terry.” She turned and kissed him then handed Jacky to him.
Part 7:
Toni went into the dining room to find plates and silverware for their dinner. Connie and Donna were stuffing the turkey and she was momentarily overcome with memories and had to get out of the kitchen. She was here in John’s house and the memory of their thanksgiving together was fresh in her mind.
John had been out in the yard with the kids and Jack and Terry. He came through the kitchen and paused a moment as Connie mixed up the stuffing. He was remembering, too, and went through the house looking for Toni, finding her staring out the dining room window.
“Hey, Toni.” She turned and he could see she’d been crying and he knew why. “Wanna go for a walk?”
“Yes.” She followed him out the front door. He took her hand and headed for the drive and they walked.
“I guess we’re thinking the same thing. I always do when I smell stuffing.”
“Do you, John? We had no idea what we were doing, did we? Just chopped and threw it all together.”
“We knew we were falling in love. It was all fresh and new like the snow. We had some great times, Toni.”
“Yes, we did and I haven’t forgotten them. John, I…”
“Toni…” They laughed a little. “You go first.”
“I just wanted to say how happy I am for you. You’ve got your family and kids and it couldn’t have been any other way as much as I loved you…”
“I still love you. All those vows we made when we got married. I don’t forget even though I’ve got my life goin’ here, I don’t forget, Toni.” He took her in his arms and kissed her. “I know you’ve got a good life with Terry and Jacky, too. Still we’ve got this other thing, don’t we?”
“Yes, we do. I’m glad you haven’t forgotten.”
“Like I ever could forget you.” He hugged her and they began walking again. “...and turkey stuffing.”
“And helicopters over the stove, and ice skating.”
“And car wrecks and hospitals.”
“I was so afraid I was going to lose you that day. I thought I’d die if anything happened to you.”
“Terry and Max to the rescue. So many memories.”
“Have you ever told Donna about any of it?”
“A few things. When we were at the House of Four Seasons I told her about the pond freezing and skating and how you’d bring me hot soup and cocoa. You know there’s not much I would want to tell her. It was something you and I shared. Did you tell Terry?”
“No, and he’s never asked about any of you. We should probably go back. I ,um, need to finish setting the table.”
“Yeah, we probably do need to go back. I was hoping to get a few minutes with you. Looks like that’s all I’m gonna get, too.”
“That’s probably all we need, you know?”
“Yeah, I know.” He ran his hand down her arm and pulled her to him for another kiss then turned them back to the house. He turned and looked at her and smiled several times. No words were needed between them.
They were sitting around the dining room table having their dinner and Mikey told Jack about the first Thanksgiving with the pilgrims and Indians. “You’re thankful for pilgrims and Indians and corn pudding?” he asked Mikey.
“I think we’ve moved beyond that, Jack,” John said.
“Ah, so we might be thankful for things like turkey and good cooks. If this is a thankful day then I should be thankful for John and Donna who invited me here,” he looked around the table, “and for my family.”
“We’re thankful for you, Jack, and all you’ve done for all of us,” Terry said.
“Here, here!” Max said and they all raised their wine glasses to Jack.
“I have done nothing. You embarrass me.” He looked at Toni. “If we are thankful for anything it should be Toni, for without her none of us would be here. She is our mother, our lover and our friend.” He turned to Mikey. “When you are older perhaps you will be thankful for her, too.”
Connie watched Toni fight down tears and try and compose her face. She felt for her.
Toni finally spoke. “I am thankful for all of you who have made my life so complete.” She reached over and took Terry’s hand under the table. “For my husband, Terry, and our son, Jacky, for John and Donna, Mikey and Joey and Claire, for Max and Connie and for you, Jack. I love you all.”
“My turn,” John said. “I’m thankful for Toni and I’m thankful for the brothers I have. We’ve all shared a lot between us. I’m especially thankful for my wife Donna, who has come through this with me and for my kids.”
“I’m thankful for my family,” Max said, “and for Connie, who has come into the family. It means something knowing you’re not alone out there, somebody cares about you,” he looked across the table at Toni, “loves you.”
“I think I am most thankful for my wife, Toni. I couldn’t exist without her. She’s given me a son and three brothers who I care about and even love. John, Donna, thanks for making this day possible.”
Joey sat between Donna and John. He finally spoke up and said he was thankful he didn’t have to eat anymore and could he go watch his video. They all laughed and excused the boys from the table, but the things they’d said still hung in the air around them. Max refilled their glasses with the wine he’d sent over from his vineyards.
“Well, we are a thankful table. This has been my first Thanksgiving. I do hope it will not be the last.” Jack held his glass to be refilled.
“I am amazed at the depth of feelings around this table. I feel honored to be a part of it,” Connie said.
“You are a part of it, you and Donna both,” Toni said.
“I’m so glad you all came. This has been really special having you all here.” Donna picked up her wine glass.
Jack saluted her with his glass. “To you, my lady, for your hospitality.”
Later that night after the kids were all settled in bed, they gathered in John’s den and Jack played his violin for them. It had been a gathering none of them would forget and they promised to do this every year. Toni invited them to Virginia for the next one.
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