"Hi, girls," a tall black-skinned woman greeted when she appeared at the kitchen doorway. She was young and her black hair was braided.
"Mir!" Celeste went over to give the woman a warm hug.
"My, you've grown taller," the woman said.
Sandy recognized the newcomer. It was Mirabel, one of the former girls of the home. Mirabel had joined them for Thanksgiving dinner every year. In the display case in the living room, there was a framed photo of Mirabel when she had sang once on stage in high school.
Back when Mirabel had lived in the home, Celeste had been close to her. Mirabel was like a big sister to her, just like Celeste and Lisa were to Sandy. It was a peculiarity in the home where each girl would have both older and younger sisters.
If only Juneida would look up to her as an older sister. Somehow that middle schooler refused to acknowledge Sandy as her big sister. Instead she preferred to have Celeste fill that role. Sandy had a few times wondered why.
(Guess why. Hint: Sandy's unfinished holiday homework.)
Once Celeste released her from her hug, Mirabel looked to the others. "Happy Thanksgiving, Momma Lois, Lisa, Sandy and..." Her eyes fell on the toddler in the high chair.
"Petra," Lisa supplied helpfully.
Mirabel bent beside the toddler. "Hi, Petra."
The toddler laughed with delight when she recognized her name.
With all the guests present, dinner started. Momma Lois took her place at the head of the table and carved the roast turkey. Portions of the turkey were distributed all around and everyone was soon enjoying their meal.
"Where's Ellen?" Sandy asked.
Ellen was another of the Home's former residents. She too had been a regular visitor every Thanksgiving.
Seated at the other end of the table, Mirabel answered, "She's having Thanksgiving with her boyfriend's family this year." She sighed. "It's so unfair that she's got a boyfriend already. And she's younger than me!"
"Boyfriend?" Celeste looked up.
"Oh, you haven't heard?" Mirabel glanced at Celeste. "Ell's scored herself a boyfriend a few weeks ago."
"Ooh, do tell." Celeste was in gossip mode.
Mirabel started slicing her turkey into bite-sized portions. "I've only seen him once. He's cute. Other than that, I don't know much. Ell's spending a lot of time with him. She ain't got time for me now."
"We should be happy she's found herself a family," Momma Lois told her.
"Yeah..." Mirabel agreed quietly.
"Cheer up, Mir," Lisa said, "It's Thanksgiving. We should be thankful for what we have. You'll find yourself a boyfriend one day."
Mirabel tried a smile.
"Yeah, you'll have your very own boyfriend one day," Celeste added, "Then the rest of us will be here next Thanksgiving whining about how you don't have time for us anymore."
Mirabel's smile grew. "Okay. Thanks, girls."
Then Mirabel's smile turned impish. She turned to Sandy. "So, Sandy. Have you finished your holiday homework yet?"
Sandy groaned. Why would everyone not give up on that!?
Mirabel chuckled. "Pass the mashed potatoes, please, Sandy," she requested.
Good food, enjoyed with people close to her, that was the closest experience Sandy had to that of a real family. Even if some of them teased her to no end. Momma Lois was her mother. Mirabel was her aunt (Mirabel would spit out the grape juice she was drinking if Sandy were to call her 'Aunt'). Lisa and Celeste, her older sisters. Petra, her little sister.
Sandy wondered what a real family would be like. Perhaps it was no different than what she had before her.
Unless it was a real rich family...
$$$
During the remaining days of Thanksgiving recess, it took some serious continual nagging from Celeste and Momma Lois to ensure that Sandy finished her holiday homework on time.
That was what families were for after all.
***
No comments:
Post a Comment