WE GATHER TOGETHER by Edward L. Woodyard

We Gather Together Chapter Sixty-Five

Ben McCulloch grabbed Alison's hand as they dodged traffic while crossing Amsterdam Avenue on their way to an all-night supermarket four blocks away. They were making this foray into nighttime Manhattan a small adventure. A cool breeze off the river was funneled down the side streets through campus and high-rise buildings, making them both glad they wore hats and parkas. Once on the other side of the thoroughfare, Alison pulled on the braids of her white crocheted cap so that it covered her ears. Ben did likewise, pulling down the flaps of his red-and-black checked trapper hat he had requisitioned from his father last Christmas.

Alison wanted to bring something to the McCulloch Thanksgiving, something that was a favorite in her family: gooey butter cake. It was practically a required Thanksgiving dessert among most families in St. Louis, along with the standard pecan and apple pies. The kitchen in her dorm suite would be available the next morning since her roommates would be leaving for Thanksgiving.

"You don't really have to do this," Ben said.

"No. I want to. Really. I want to."

"Don't you have a paper to write?"

"It's what I told my father so I didn't have to go home."

"Due Monday?"

"It's not due until winter break."

"You don't call that lying to him?"

"It wasn't a lie. I told him that it was due. I just didn't say when. And that's the truth."

As they spotted the supermarket in the middle of the block, Ben got a call from his mother on his cell phone.

"How's everything?" Julia asked.

"Everything's fine. Classes are done until Monday."

"So, when can we expect you and Alison tomorrow? I was going to put her in Scott and Drew's old room since I've reserved Annie's room for Aunt Emma."

"Shouldn't Aunt Emma be there by now?"

"She should. But with the strike on and her Caribbean cruise, I have no idea what's going on."

"She'll be there, Mom."

"I know. So, when can we expect you? You know how Dad has to know these things."

"Not until Thursday. Alison wants to see the parade. And I've never seen it up close and personal either. We'll drive out after Santa Claus waves to everyone. Is that okay?"

"Of course, Ben. That should give you plenty of time to get here. Dinner's promptly at four."

"Like it is every year, Mom. Even if the football game has ended or not."

Approaching the entrance to the supermarket, Alison waved to Ben, pointing at his cell phone.

"Alison says hi." He then indicated if Alison wanted to talk with his mother and she shook her head no. They smiled at each other as Ben spoke into the phone. "And hi to Dad. That's from both of us."

That comment made Julia even more curious about the seriousness of their relationship.

"We're looking forward to meeting Alison. Have fun and we'll see you both when you get here." Julia added at the last moment, "Send us some pictures, Ben."

Ben heard his mother just as he put his phone back into his pocket and they entered the supermarket. It was packed with busy shoppers getting everything they needed or thought they needed for Thanksgiving. Alison found a basket at the entrance and handed it to Ben.

"So, why are we here? Ben asked Alison.

"Are you getting existential and intellectual with me?" she said kiddingly.

Ben clarified his question. "What are we getting?" he asked, smiling at her, "That better?"

"The ingredients for the cake I want to bring to your house. My German grandmother used to make it from scratch, but my mother texted me the easy-to-make-but-tastes-just-as-good recipe. It's only lasts for a few days which is why I'm making it tomorrow. And it's great for breakfast the next day with a cup of coffee."

"If it lasts that long. I've got a big family with bigger appetites."

Alison guided Ben through the aisles of the supermarket. She surfed her cell phone and retrieved the list for the necessary ingredients in her mother's recipe: yellow cake mix, eggs, butter, whipped cream cheese, vanilla extract, and a box of powdered sugar.

Once the shopping basket was filled, they headed for the check-out line. As they passed the beer aisle, Ben picked up a twelve-pack of O Hoppy Day, a favorite IPA craft beer. He lifted both the twelve-pack and shopping basket, one in each hand.

"My luggage," he said, smiling at her. "The beer's for Thanksgiving."

He placed both on a conveyor belt at the check-out counter and reached for his wallet, but Alison put her hand up to him and flashed a credit card. Ben carefully unloaded the contents of the shopping basket onto the conveyor belt.

They saw from an employee tag on her chest that the woman at the register was named Lakeisha. With the look of a survivor who had seen and done it all, she had long ago realized that the absurdity of life allowed her to maintain a healthy sense of humor.

While Lakeisha scanned the items from the shopping basket and the twelve-pack of IPA, Alison noticed certain items on a display rack by the supermarket tabloids.

"Will that be all?" asked Lakeisha as she finished scanning the items on the conveyor belt.

Alison picked a small packaged box off the display rack and gave it to her. It was a three-pack of ribbed condoms.

Alison turned to Ben and gave him a sly smile. Ben smiled back and took a second box of condoms off the display rack, handing it to Lakeisha. He reached again for his wallet, but Alison again put her hand up to deter him.

Lakeisha stared at the two of them, shook her head, smiled to herself, swiped the purchases and put the cake ingredients in a paper shopping bag. She then held both boxes of condoms in front of Ben and Alison, wondering who wanted to take them. As Ben reached for the condoms, Alison again intercepted him and dropped both boxes into her purse. She then signed the receipt while Lakeisha returned Alison's credit card to her. Lakeisha then leaned back on one foot and put her left hand on her hip, looking at the two of them.

Ben and Alison sensed that Lakeisha was not about to let this transaction go by without a comment, caustic or not. They weren't wrong. Lakeisha said matter-of-factly, "No need my wishing you two a happy Thanksgiving. I think you two are going to give new meaning to the term, 'stuff the turkey.'"

Ben couldn't say a thing. He couldn't even look at her. He was afraid he'd lose it. He simply nodded to Lakeisha, took the shopping bag with the cake ingredients in one hand and the twelve pack of the craft IPA in the other. He lowered his head a bit and started to exit the supermarket with Alison. As they approached the door, Alison turned back to Lakeisha and muttered, "Gobble, gobble."

Alison and Ben chuckled to each other as they stepped onto the sidewalk while Lakeisha let out a howl of laughter so loud that it could be heard back in the dairy section.