Thanksgiving is a time of joy in thanks of giving of sustenance to others. As is every year the Wrackers would invite people to share their thanksgiving with them. Norma was a gourmet chef and in her youth wrote a thick cook book that all people use and believe in day to day in this varied life. The epicurean bible, from Norma gave us countless delicious meals that the Wracks will cherish in his memory until the end.
In latter November it is cold as December is the coldest month of the year. The Dow is scheduled to arrive at five thirty and have a parking space reserved in front of the house as requested by Marvin. They soon arrive in an Acura limousine. Marvin gets out of the car and helps his wife from the passenger side and together they enter the domain of the Wrackers. He wears a grey wool worsted business suit with black loafers and a grey tie. Barbara, red hair and all from a long time ago era, in a formal evening dress and matching handbag ascend the brick steps with a single white light on the corner of the fence.
I love my new Acura says Barbara.
I wouldn’t buy a Mercedes Benz because they are German.
The Japanese make good cars.
The Wracker house is small, and the family room is the dining room and the living room is reserved for guests only. The Dow move in and sit on fine French wood chairs with cushions given by Grandpa. The shag carpet is white and green and the large window frames the room on the street. Barbara has a glass of wine and Marvin has bourbon whiskey. Vincent converses with Marvin and Barbara while Norma cooks in the Kitchen with the help of Wracks. The Wracks sets out the sterling silver cutlery which is used only on Thanksgiving and Christmas and was a present from Theresa on the wedding day. Each setting has two forks, two spoons and a single gleaming sterling knife. The plates are fine china to be washed by hand after the meal and set away for another year. The table with a leaf seats eight but can hold up to ten people in a sitting.
Marvin has a stern look on his face with fine black hair slicked back to a style. He was an honor student at Bolt Hall law school in California but every time he takes the BAR the board flunks him. He now ostentatiously publishes a European train schedule book for American travelers. Barbara doesn’t work. She never did and never has to as are the people who populate the upper crust. Auburn hair and freckles and light grey eyes as is the forefathers of the constitution of the United States of America. What a pair and the Wrackers have them for thanksgiving.
Dinners ready says Norma, everyone sit down.
Large dishes adorn the Pass through and are full of savory food. Green beans steamed with garlic and seasoned with extra virgin olive oil. Gravy made from boiled turkey neck and heart and onions for hours on end. Extra-large sweet potatoes the size of a fist abound. Turkey stuffing made with butter and done in a pan sits on the side. Vincent carves the twenty pound turkey with an electric cutting knife plugged into the wall. The guests get up and are first and serve themselves, loading their plates with mountains of savory food. When everyone finishes service, they sit down and pass around a fresh bottle of white wine.
Who is better than us says Father Wracker. Manga!
As in the true thanksgiving tradition everyone gobbles down their food and Marvin is the first one up to the buffet to get seconds. When everyone finishes, Mother Wracker brings out two pies, a pumpkin and a blueberry pie that she obtained from Marie Calendar restaurants
It’s too much trouble to make two pies on Thanksgiving with all the food so I bought them says Norma.
The Wracks brings in the dishes and proceeds to put the china in the dishwasher with the sterling separately on quick wash so they don’t chip. The Wracks starts the dishwasher and proceeds to scour the turkey pan with steel wool and soap in the sink as he does every thanksgiving. Marvin and Barbara disappear into the living room with Vincent and he and Marvin open a bottle of grand Mariner cognac and drink down shots Russian style. The men talk, the ladies chat and time boils away and finally Marvin announces it is time to take the thirty minute drive to their exclusive retreat in Malibu. Norma has disposable Tupperware filled with turkey and dressing and green beans and Marvin eagerly takes the offerings and puts it in the back seat of his car. He loves taking home leftovers of Norma’s cooking. Both Marvin and Barbara wave goodbye and drive off down Bacon Lane. Thanksgiving is officially over but the house smells of roast turkey and the Wracks clears the cognac glasses, empties the dishwasher, puts the china back into its special place and loads the dishwasher for a second load with glasses, casserole dishes and assorted bric a brac. Father sits in his chair. He doesn’t smoke anymore, because he had an abdominal aneurysm repair. Living the fast life and taking stimulants and smoking and not sleeping eventually degenerate even the sturdiest body. He chose the life he pursues so it is time he pays for his digress in spades. Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is in a month with another dinner on tap and whatever guests invite themselves to the festivities. The Wracks is happy because many people don’t have thanksgiving dinners with themselves or their families and buy a turkey dinner from the market, savor it on their own and go out to a bar. There is more to Thanksgiving then the meal. It is a day to salute God and offer salutations for the goodness of the bounty he bestows upon his people. The Wracks is glad to have a thanksgiving and a family and a place to stay in our great country the United States of America and he wishes the best to all people who believe in hope and charity. The Wracks walks outside the front door and looks at the stars and they blink and shine upon him and he prays and wishes that someday he will have a home all his own and a family to share thanksgiving with. Satisfied with his day he closes the front door and locks it, turns out the lights in the kitchen and living room, lets the dog out of the laundry room then returns to the bedroom he used to share with his brother who now lives elsewhere and the day ends and Christmas season begins.