Chapter 38
Sarah could not recall ever having so many people over for Thanksgiving dinner. She was loving every minute of this gathering of friends, old and new.
In the kitchen, her mother was sitting at the table arranging the cookies, which they’d baked the night before, on a bright red tray. “You’re glowing, dear,” Clara stated.
“I am, for sure,” Sarah said. “And it has nothing to do with this turkey in the oven or all of this.” She pointed to a pot filled with steaming-hot buttered homemade mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, and seven pies lined up on the counter. She had more than enough food to feed an army of hungry young men, not to mention her actual guests. Sweet potatoes, cranberry salad, a fresh spinach salad, turkey gravy, and yeast rolls were just a few of the dishes on the menu. As always, she had cooked too much, but that was okay. There would be plenty of leftovers for her guests to take home with them.
While she had dreaded facing Daniel Greenwood after their lunch last Saturday, Sarah was beyond thrilled when he brought his friend and coworker, Jay Johnson, over to meet her. He was beyond handsome, she thought. He had dark blond hair and dark eyes, and he reminded her of a Greek god. He was tall and built like an oak tree. She had noticed this, and ever since being introduced, she had been running around the kitchen like a schoolgirl with her first crush. He had looked at her with something more than polite interest and kept coming to the kitchen to see if he could help. “No, you guys just enjoy the football game. I have everything under control.”
Ivy and Holly were busy setting the dining-room table with Sarah’s mother’s best china. Margaret and George were bustling about making drinks for everyone. Sarah Anderson was in her element, with a houseful of happy people to feed.
Christmas carols played softy in the background, delightful smells penetrated throughout the house, and an occasional shout from the den let Sarah know she had made a good call when she had invited Ivy and her family for Thanksgiving dinner.
Ivy had looked like a new person when she had arrived this morning. She wore a dark green sweater, with black leggings and black boots. Her hair was styled in loose waves, and her green eyes sparkled. She had added just the right amount of makeup, and Sarah remembered the times when they used to spend hours going through all the glossy magazines, trying to learn the latest fad in makeup. Ivy had mastered her look today, and Sarah was sure it was not from cosmetics alone.
Daniel, Holly, and Jay had arrived a few minutes later. When she realized that Daniel’s friend had not tagged along for just a home-cooked meal, she was absolutely certain that this holiday season was going to start off as one of her best ones ever.
“We’re finished in the dining room. Let me help get these goodies out while they’re still hot. You’re sweating,” Ivy observed.
“It’s a bit . . . steamy in here, in case you haven’t noticed,” Sarah said as she lifted the roasting pan from the top of the stove and carried it over to the sink. “I’m going to be washing dishes all night, but who cares? Are you sure you’re okay with all the extra people? I know I didn’t tell you when I invited you and your dad, but I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“Actually, I think it’s the best holiday gathering I have attended since”—Ivy stopped, but she knew that if she was to move forward, she needed to be able to verbalize her family—“the last one I spent at home with John and the kids. It’s all good, Sarah. Really.”
“I’m relieved, but I had a feeling this is just what you needed. Me too, for that matter,” Sarah said as she squirted liquid detergent in the roasting pan, then filled it with water. “I am going to let this thing soak for a while.” She rinsed her hands and dried them on a tea towel covered in pictures of cartoon-like turkeys with the words GOBBLE GOBBLE written above their heads in little circles with down-pointing arrow-like extensions.
“I’m looking forward to gaining five pounds today. I plan to have a slice of each of those pies, too,” Ivy added as she reached for the mashed potatoes. “Let’s get this show on the road. I am starving, and something tells me those two guys are going to be as well.”
“Mom, can you bring the rolls?”
“I’m not that far gone, young lady. Of course I can,” Clara Anderson said. She was a bit wobbly, but still was able to walk without assistance.
Fifteen minutes later, they were all seated around the table in the dining room. “I’d like to thank you all for coming today. It means more than you know,” Sarah said. She smiled and saw that Jay Johnson was also smiling. “I’d like to say grace.”
They all bowed their heads as Sarah recited all she was thankful for. After several utterances of “Amen,” the food was served, the conversation was light, and everyone seemed to have picked up on the air of general good cheer that the day deserved. When they’d finished the turkey and all of the seemingly endless side dishes, Sarah, Ivy, and Holly cleared the plates and returned with pies, one red velvet cake Margaret had brought, and three trays of sugar cookies, plus a huge bowl of whipped cream for the pumpkin pie.
When they were halfway through dessert, George tapped his glass with his fork. “If I could have your attention for a minute, I have something I would like to share with you all.”
All eyes were on him, and he stood, then cleared his throat. “I have an announcement I’d like to make. Ivy, I have asked Margaret to marry me, and though it was touch and go for a bit, I finally persuaded her to accept my proposal.”
Everyone was silent for a split second; then they started offering congratulations all at once. When the talk died down, Ivy spoke. “Dad, this is the best news I have heard in years. Margaret, I’m thrilled for you. Truly. I think we should make a toast to the happy couple.”
“Absolutely,” Sarah said, and raced to the kitchen for one of her special bottles of champagne, along with several crystal flutes, all of which she placed on a tray.
“Let me,” Jay said as he took the champagne from her and expertly popped the cork.
Sarah knew she was blushing and simply did not care. Jay filled the flutes, except one, and Sarah raced back to the kitchen for the sparkling white grape juice she had purchased for Holly.
With champagne flutes held high, Ivy made a toast. “To my father, who never gave up on me, and to Margaret, who never gave up on my father.” She paused. “And to Holly, who knocked on my door and changed my life.”
“Cheers!” they all said, and clinked their glasses together.
This Thanksgiving, all those at the Anderson home had been given many blessings, and each and every one of them knew that on this day, their lives were changing, and it was all for the better.