Thanksgiving at the lake house was always pretty mellow. Most of our family couldn't come into town, so Mom invited everyone from the shop, Local Taco and Indigo Ink to make up for the lack of family members. All morning we had put up several extra card tables in the yonder room to accommodate the guests.
"Now Candy, make sure those napkins match the tablecloths."
"I know Mom," she hollered over her shoulder.
"Will we be having a kid table this year?" I asked as we set the dining room table. We had moved it to the yonder room and added a leaf to make room for everyone.
Mom was tucking the napkins under the plates when she stopped and looked at me, "You know this is the only day of the year where I feel about fourteen all over again."
"Tell me about it."
"Hey, let's not start that again. I told you we have too many people coming today to have Tyler and all of his family over, especially since we haven't even met them yet."
"I just think it's unfair that you can invite Bud and his friends and I can't invite my boyfriend."
"First of all, I'm the parent. Secondly, Bud's friends have nowhere else to go. And lastly, I think it is a little early to be spending major holidays together with your boyfriend's family."
"You have such a double standard,"
She lowered her voice, "I already said I am not having this argument with you again. Now go and get the silverware from the kitchen."
I went into the kitchen and opened the drawer. "Nana, what can I do next?"
"When you're done with the silverware, you can get the centerpieces from down at the boathouse."
"Yes Ma'am."
I finished setting the table and then walked down to the boathouse. I opened the door and went to pick up two of the centerpieces sitting on the table. They were quilted turkeys with lollipops sticking out instead of tail feathers. The screen door slammed behind me, and I jumped. I suddenly had a weird feeling being in the boathouse. I looked around and noticed the bed looked slept in. I scanned the room and the closet door moved.
"Who's in here?"
I grabbed a turkey and threw it at the closet door. The lollipops scattered as it hit the ground.
"Easy. I'm not going to hurt you."
"Dad?"
He opened the door and put his hands up in the air. "Can we call a cease-fire? Don't tell your Mother. She'll just yell and get all pissed off."
"What are you doing here?" I was standing with the other Turkey in my hand ready to throw.
"Could you put the turkey down?"
I threw the turkey at him and started to run for the door.
He grabbed my arm, "Cricket!"
I broke free and started up the small hill to the back screen door.
"Mom! Mom!" She opened the screen door. "Dad's in the boathouse."
She marched past me toward the boathouse. I stood and watched her. "Morgan, get out of here!" He came walking around the corner and was putting on his jacket.
"I just wanted to see her again."
"I don't buy it. How long have you been living in the boathouse?"
"I got back in town yesterday. I wanted to see you both actually, to try to talk. I don't have any money. Please let me see her."
"She's right there. You saw her and now it is time to leave."
"No. Wait."
"Morgan, you can't just go away and then think you can come back and make it all better. You need to figure some more stuff out. Get a job. Get a life. Make a plan to see her. Don't just show up and scare the crap out of her."
"You're right. You're right. I just..."
"Candy, everything all right?" Bud came out the back door with Big Chuck and One-eyed Steve. Bud put his arm around me and brought me closer to him. I was suddenly really grateful for the two hooligans who were joining us for dinner.
"Yeah. My ex-husband was just leaving." She turned to Dad, "You need to get it a little more together, and then call me. Understand?"
"Yes." He hung his head down and walked around the side of the house. Mom started walking up the hill toward us.
"Hello, boys. Come on inside and let's eat some turkey."