A story from Wonderland by Hitomi
Happy Thanksgiving

Greetings!

 

thanksgiving 
 
Nov 26th    Weather:Wonderful
 
The smell of turkey made the living room homey and cozy. We all gathered at the Malchoviches waiting for the moment Mrs. Malchovich would take Turkey out of the oven.
On the wall was our photo we'd had taken a few days before nicely framed. This Thanksgiving photo taking started between the Malchoviches, my girlfriend and me, but as Sylvia joined, Don, who never wanted to put on the holiday costumes Mrs. Malchovih made, came along. Plus this year Joe the lawyer also joined to be in the photo.
 
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Don, Joe the lawyer, Sylvia and Mrs.Malchovich were on the sofa chatting and laughing over wine and beer. The rest of us were reading the encyclopedias Opera Winfield sent Kenny as a special gift.
 
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"Mom, this encyclopedia doesn't say anything about a spiritual journey.  What's a spiritual journey?"
Kenny was very much obsessed with the comment Opera made in her show, which was "Kenny is taking a spiritual journey". While Mrs. Malchovich was trying to find a right word to explain to Kenny, Lisa gave him a quick answer.
"You are back in school now, so don't worry about it. Your spiritual journey has ended."
"Ended?" repeated Kenny.
"Yes. Which means your daily chores are waiting for you. Your vacation is over. Got it?" 
We all watched Kenny to see if he was convinced with Lisa's explanation. "OK."
Kenny went back to the encyclopedia without asking further questions. He seemed to be convinced.
This morning, rushing back from the outside, Kenny pulled Mrs. Malchovich's arm and begged her to invite the Sullivan's kid to our Thanksgiving dinner. Mr. Sullivan was arrested for the tax evasion charge, which made him drop the charge against Joe the lawyer. We all were delighted with the news, but later on we heard this incident weakened Mrs. Sullivan's health and soon after the news, she was hospitalized. Since the Sullivan kid was an only child, he had to  go to his grand parents' house in San Diego all by himself for Thanksgiving.
"I asked him if he wanted to come to our Thanksgiving dinner. He said he wanted. Mom, can I invite him? Please. "
Watching Kenny begging Mrs. Malchovich, Lisa laughed at Kenny, who completely forgot how badly the Sullivan kid bullied him. But Mrs. Malchovich thought it was a good idea to let go of the bitter past and went to the hospital to see Mrs. Sullivan. Sadly things didn't go the way Kenny and the Sullivan kid wanted.  They got the Sullivan kid to get on Amtrak bounded for San Diego.
Watching Kenny crying, Mrs.Malchovich said painfully, "Not this time, but one day we can invite him over for Sunday pizza party. Then you guys can make up and be a good friend. "
But at that time, none of us knew the Sullivan kid, after packing all his belongings, wasn't planning to come back to our neighborhood any longer.
 
On the other hand, being a free man, Joe the lawyer got an offer from FOX TV station to host his own show, "Joe the lawyer".  We all were elated with his being on TV again, but Joe the lawyer himself didn't look so excited about this offer.

"So what are you going to do with all the money Opera fundraised for you?" Don asked, opening another beer for himself and handing another to Sylvia.
"I gave it back to Opera, so she can donate it to someone else in need. Since I am free from the charge, I have no reason to take all the money coming from good hearts. Plus I feel terrible about what happened to the Sullivans. I know he committed a crime, but I caused one family to tear apart."
Joe the lawyer poured wine in his glass.
"It's not your fault. Look how the media added oil into the fire. You are also paying for the consequence. Paparazzi chasing after you and your neighbors trying to kick you out of the neighborhood."  
Sylvia consoled Joe the lawyer.
"Your neighbors are trying to kick you out?" asked Don in surprise.
"Yeah, they want me to leave. They are claiming I am creating too much commotion there and destroying their prestigious atmosphere in their neighborhood. Every morning I have to see both Paparazzi with the cameras and the neighbors with the picket line. Probably the offer I am getting from Fox TV worries my neighbors more."
Joe the lawyer paused for a second and went on.
"I graduated from Harvard. All my alumina are doing prosperous , like being a major corporate lawyer or a private lawyer for the Jackson family. On the other hand, I am giving a legal and mental consultation for 30 minute every Thursday on daytime TV show to a guest from public. My father will never be proud of me."
"Will it be like Judge Judy? Sounds like a big opportunity. "
Don sounded more excited than Joe the lawyer.
"You might get an Oscar."
Being excited, I chimed in.But Joe the lawyer still had a frown face.
"I wasn't making my best effort to be a host in the show. I am not in entertainment. I'm a lawyer. Things are taking me somewhere I never wanted."
Joe the lawyer bit his lip to hold his emotions although his hand pouring another wine in his glass was stable and secure.
"Oh,Joe. Maybe you are not cut out for a lawyer.You are too nice for being a divorce lawyer."
"Yes, you are too good natured for that.That job requires lots of sleekness and shrewdness."
"Thanks God, we are glad you are not qualified for that."
Both Sylvia and Mrs. Malchovich tried to make him feel better, hugging his shoulder and stroking his back.
Watching these three, Don stretched his back, yawned and said, "I didn't know you are from IVY league. I thought you are CAL State or something since it's so close from here."
"Not all the people choose university by distance."
Sylvia gave Don a critical look.
"I chose LACC because I could take my bike there, which was good for my exercise." Don argued.
"Don, You are talking about a community college. Joe is talking about an IVY."
Mrs.Malchovich also stopped Don in a critical tone. Without arguing further, Don shrugged his shoulder and stood up from the sofa to the oven.
"I like LACC."
I chimed in. Although I had no idea whatever LACC was, I felt I needed to stand up for Don.But Sylvia and Mrs.Malchovich was too busy with consoling Joe the lawyer and didn't even hear me. Then while checking Turkey in the oven, we heard Don casually talk to Joe the lawyer.
"You should always take the things God offers you. You might not be sure where the ride is taking you, but if I were you, I would at least try to enjoy the ride. You can always put off quitting. Hey, Turkey is ready!"

We all ran to the oven, leaving Joe the lawyer alone on the sofa. We jumped up and down seeing steamy Turkey. At that very moment I turned to Joe the lawyer, I saw him looking at Don in respect, admiration or humiliation. I couldn't tell. But I was sure what Don just said to him reached Joe the lawyer's heart.

Mrs. Malchovich set hot and tender Turkey on the center of the table. We all surrounded the table filled with turkey, cranberries and other traditional dishes and then joined our hands with our heads bowed.
Listening to Mrs.Malchovich giving a prayer, I felt so blessed to be here with all of them. I wished this moment never ended. I repeated thank you to God and prayed that all of us could be here together again in 10 years later and if he could, let us be together forever.
 
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Munching on Turkey, I looked at Don and asked, "Are you glad you joined us?"
Receiving the plate from Sylvia, he was about to go for another piece of Turkey.
"You bet."
Don gave me a big big smile.
Happy Thanksgiving!
 
 
 
 
 
To read the previous stories, visit: http://tinyurl.com/ldo9d4