Happy Thanksgiving and a short story!
Please forgive the late response. All my family is here and demanding my attention, not to mention my chauffeur services *sigh*. I’d be rich if I could charge for this service! Anyway, I just wanted to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and share a Thanksgiving story I wrote many (MANY) moons ago. Enjoy!
Something To Be Thankful For
Patrice Michelle
The bell tied to a string at the top of the glass door chimed, announcing Melanie’s entrance.
“Hello.” The dark haired man behind the counter called out.
“Hi.” She turned with a smile and approached the counter. “I’m looking for the owner, Rick Durant.”
A dimple formed in his cheek as he flashed her a bright smile. “That’d be me.”
He put his hands on the counter top and leaned forward. “What can I do for you?”
Melanie stuck out her hand. “My name’s Melanie King.
Rick clasped her hand in his. His firm grip caused a melting feeling to start in her stomach and drift all the way to her toes.
She continued, “I’m a friend of Joan Kerr’s. She sent me to you.”
“Oh?” His smile turned into a teasing grin. His blue eyes twinkled underneath his raised eyebrows.
She stammered as she released his hand, “I…I mean. She learned of my love for rock climbing and told me about your new wall.”
His amused expression changed to one of comprehension. “Ah, now I see.” He motioned for her to follow him as he called out to a young man putting price tags on wet suits, “Alex. I’m going to show Ms. King to the back.”
Melanie followed him through the isles of extreme sports equipment, past rows of rock climbing shoes, and out a side door that led them back outside.
“Had much experience?” he called over his shoulder.
“Yeah. I used to climb all the time back home.” A gust of cool November air hit her as she followed him into another building. Melanie stared in awe at the tall wall that went all the way up the forty-foot ceiling. “This is so great. I can climb no matter what time of the year.”
He laughed at her exuberance. “Yeah. That’s what it’s for.”
She shrugged out of her jacket and pulled on her rock climbing shoes as he checked the ropes.
He handed her a harness. “So are you new in town?”
She met his gaze after she tightened the harness and pulled the ropes through. “Yes. I just started as a paralegal with Harrison’s law firm last week. That’s how I met Joan.”
She faced the wall and took a deep breath. Turning back to him, she noted his tall frame and wide shoulders. He was directly behind her, holding the rope in his hand, waiting. As if he read her mind, he grinned. “Ready?”
Heat suffused her cheeks as she turned back to the wall. “Yes.”
As she began to climb, she suddenly wished she had worn her heather green t-shirt, the one that she knew accented the flecks of green in her hazel eyes. And why did she have to wear her hair—its ash blond color was by far her best asset—back in a ponytail?
While she climbed, he explained the history behind the wall. Finally, she made it to the top. Whew! The wall was challenging. Rick knew his stuff! She descended slowly, not quite ready to give up the challenge or, to be honest with herself, Rick’s company.
When she reached the bottom, she turned to him. “That was fantastic!”
He gestured with the rope. “Want to go again?”
She shook her head with a smile. “No. If go again too soon, I’ll learn the pattern too fast.”
“That’s the great thing about this wall. It’s cutting edge. I have the ability to change the pattern.”
“That’s great! I’ll be back for sure.” She remembered she never asked the fee to climb. “Oh, how much do I owe you?”
Rick moved his hand in a dismissive gesture. “It’s on the house since it was your first time.”
Her eyebrows rose in appreciation. “Thanks. How about I come back tomorrow?”
He looked disappointed. “I’m closed tomorrow. My parents would be upset if I worked on Thanksgiving Day. With eight kids, Thanksgiving is a big family event at the Durant house.” He stopped talking and cocked his head to the side. “Don’t you have plans tomorrow?”
Melanie shrugged. “No, my parents are in the Greek Islands right now. They invited me, but I was starting my new job and couldn’t go.”
Rick’s eyes lit up. “How would you like to come to my house for Thanksgiving?”
Melanie laughed. “I don’t think your family would like a stranger in their midst.”
Rick spread his hands wide. “No, I’m serious. We believe that Thanksgiving is a time to share. My sister is bringing a friend from college.” He smiled. “Come on, what do you say?”
It would be so nice to be around a big family. As an only child she never got to experience the loud, boisterous family events she so envied in her friends. She nodded. “Sure. Why not?”
****
Melanie fluffed her hair and smoothed her hand over her skirt as she stood outside Rick’s parent’s door. At least she looked more presentable today. She knocked at the door.
A little blonde headed girl whipped open the door. She looked up at Melanie and smiled. “Hi, I’m Ashley.”
“Hi, I’m Melanie. Is Rick here?”
Ashley grabbed Melanie’s hand and pulled her inside as she called out, “Uncle Rick, your girlfriend’s here.”
Melanie felt her cheeks go pink at Ashley’s innocent words. Rick walked up and Ashley put Melanie’s hand in his. “Here ya go.” She turned and walked off.
Rick grinned and put his hand at the small of her back to steer her towards the dining room. The room was abuzz with conversation. The warmth from the kitchen permeated the room and the familiar smells wafting from the table made Melanie feel right at home. She was so glad she decided to come.
Before they sat down, Rick introduced her to his entire family. It took a while. By time he finished introducing his family and his sister’s friend, she counted nineteen people at the long dinner table. And that didn’t include the ‘kiddie’ table off to the side. It boasted eight kids ranging in ages from two to twelve.
Rick leaned over and whispered in her ear, “This is a family tradition. Don’t feel obligated to participate.”
He sat up as his father announced, “Okay, everyone. Before dinner starts, let’s go around the table and say a few things we are each thankful for this past year.”
Melanie listened as his father started. He talked about family, his health, and his pending retirement. His mother went next, then the rest of his siblings.
Finally, it was Rick’s turn. Since she barely knew Rick, Melanie was interested to hear the things he thought were important in his life.
“I’m thankful the store is doing well. I’m thankful for my family and my health.” He gave Melanie a friendly smile. “And I’m thankful for Joan Kerr, who encouraged me to open the store. I value her opinion. Now, more than ever.”
Disappointment touched Melanie’s heart and dipped into her stomach. Rick cared for Joan.
As much as she enjoyed talking with Rick during dinner, she couldn’t help but feel Joan should be there instead of her. All too soon, dinner was over.
The kids begged Rick to wrestle with them. “Okay, okay,” he finally agreed. “I’ll be right back.” She smiled her understanding and laughed when she heard his sisters arguing good-naturedly with their husbands and brothers whether to watch the Thanksgiving parade or the football game on TV.
Melanie moved to the sliding glass door and walked outside. The crisp fall air cooled her cheeks. It was pretty warm in the house.
She heard the door open. Rick said from directly behind her, “You know, Thanksgiving isn’t just about being thankful for the things you do have, it’s also about being thankful for the things you don’t have.”
She turned around, her expression confused.
He took her hand in his. “Last year, Joan and I went out a couple of times. She saw the wisdom in our just being friends. I’m glad I listened to her.”
He brought her hand to his mouth and grazed her fingers with his lips. The tender kiss elicited shimmers all the way down her spine. His gaze met hers and locked. “Because if it weren’t for Joan and I remaining friends, I never would’ve met you.”
Great story! Hope you have a happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you! I was itching to edit parts of it, but my family would’ve hog tied me if I tried. I promised them all I had to do today was post my blog. LOL!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Thank you for a great story.
Happy Thanksgiving.
You’re welcome and Happy Thanksgiving!
That was a wonderful pre-thanksgiving treat! Great Story! Thanks for sharing!!
I hope you have a wonderful thanksgiving with the family!
You’re welcome. Glad you enjoyed it. Have a great Thanksgiving, too!
Lovely, sweet story.
What a great story! Thank you for sharing, and enjoy your family this weekend!
Wonderful story….have a great thanksgiving!!!
Wonderful Story. My sister got here last night a whole TWO days early YAH!! Have a Happy Thanksgiving
I love those thanksgiving traditions … but we don’t really celebrate it over here in Germany…
still happy thanksgiving to everybody!
Oh and btw: I loved your story