Strasburg
“It’s too bad Eleanor and Vic couldn’t be with us for this Thanksgiving meal,” Ethan said after he’d taken a second helping of turkey and passed the platter to Stephen. “I miss them.” He gestured to the array of food spread out on the table. “And they don’t know what they’re missing by not being here today.”
“I miss them also, but those two are exactly where they need to be.” Susie picked up the napkin by her plate and blotted her lips. “If the weather is good in Sarasota, they’ll probably return home with some nice tans and maybe a few shells from the beach.”
“You’re most likely right. I hope the kids have a real good time on their getaway.” He smiled at Susie, gave her an approving nod, and looked at the crowded table laden with food still left to eat. “You really outdid yourself on this meal. Everything smells and tastes appeditlich.”
“I’m glad you think the food is delicious, but I can’t take all of the credit for it.” Susie motioned to her daughters, seated on her side of the table. “Kate and Clara helped me cook the meal, and I couldn’t have done it without them.”
“Danki, Mom.” The sisters’ cheeks reddened as they spoke in unison.
“And if you think that this meal is good, just wait till we bring the pies out for dessert,” Clara said. “We have pumpkin, apple, and chocolate chip pie—Vic’s favorite.”
“I am eager to try a small slice of each kind, and my thanks goes out to all three of you for spending long hours in the kitchen to make such a nice meal that we won’t likely forget.” Ethan nudged Stephen’s arm. “What do you have to say to your mamm and schweschder?”
“Danki, Mom, Clara and Kate.” Stephen spoke around a mouthful of sweet potatoes.
Susie was tempted to scold her son for talking with his mouth full but decided to let it go. She wanted this day to be as pleasant as possible. Susie’s gaze came to rest on the empty chair where Eddie used to sit. She blinked rapidly and swallowed hard, hoping tears wouldn’t follow. Susie still missed her son terribly and felt sure that the rest of the family did too. But special occasions still came and went regardless of a death in the family. They had to get through each holiday without giving in to despair.
Susie hoped that Victor and Eleanor were having a nice Thanksgiving and that their time in the Florida sunshine was doing them both some good. Hopefully when they returned home, Victor would be feeling better emotionally and could finally say that he’d come to realize he wasn’t to blame for his little brother’s death. Eddie should not have gone to the pond by himself that day, she told herself. Even so, as our bishop stated after he’d been told the sad news, “It may have been Eddie’s time to die.” That was a hard pill to swallow, but the truth was everyone at some point would face death. Susie just hadn’t expected her youngest child would be called away so soon.
Sarasota
“Well, it isn’t a big turkey, but this game hen you fixed for our Thanksgiving meal is sure tasty.”
Eleanor smiled from across the small table where they sat on the sunny lanai at the back of the cottage. “I’m glad you like it. With it being just the two of us, I didn’t see the point in fixing a large turkey, because we’d probably never eat all the leftovers.”
“That’s true, especially when we’ve been going out for some of our meals.” Vic reached for his glass of iced tea and took a drink. “Sure is different being here, just the two of us, instead of spending the holiday with a house full of relatives.”
Eleanor nodded, and then she helped herself to more mashed potatoes. “I kind of like having you all to myself. Of course,” she quickly added, “I enjoy spending time with our families too.”
Vic didn’t respond to Eleanor’s statement. He kept his gaze on his plate of food. Eleanor figured he might be thinking about Eddie and felt sad, so she decided to change the subject.
While thinking of something to say, she hoped that this trip would bring out Vic’s old self completely, and that he wouldn’t grow quiet again once they returned home. For Vic’s sake, Eleanor would try to stay positive during this vacation, because there were moments like now when she wondered what negative thoughts may have crossed her husband’s mind. Some flashes from the past invaded her own thoughts. Those days of feeling miserable with him sulking around their house and barely speaking to her had been unbearable.
With a shake of her head, Eleanor dismissed her own negative thoughts. She would continue to lift Vic up in prayer and always try to aim for a positive topic. “Is there anything special you’d like to do with the rest of our day?” she asked.
He shrugged his broad, suntanned shoulders. “Whatever you want to do is fine by me. I’ve enjoyed everything we’ve done so far, especially our bike rides and walks to the beach.”
“Same here,” she agreed. “We still have a week left before it’s time to go home, so I think we should make every day count.”
Vic’s eyes brightened. “I agree, and for our last day here, I’ve planned something really special for us to do.”
“Oh, what’s that?”
He put one finger against his mouth. “My lips are sealed. You’ll know when it happens.”
She spooned some cooked carrots onto her plate and flashed him a smile. “Since you put it that way, I guess I’ll have no other choice.”
He bobbed his head. “And believe me, it’ll be the worth the wait.”
Grabill
“This is sure a mighty fine meal, Mom. Everything I’ve put on my plate tastes great.”
Lydia looked at her son Larry and lifted the meat platter. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Would you like some more welschhaahne?”
“Don’t mind if I do. Turkey’s one of my favorite meats—especially when it’s this tender and moist.” He grinned at his brother Sam before passing it on down to him.
“What is that now—your third helping?” Sam’s brows lowered.
Larry gave a noncommittal shrug and forked himself two hefty pieces of white meat. Following that, he spooned some mashed potatoes onto his plate and covered it and the meat with plenty of gravy. Then he cut up the piece of turkey, picked up his fork, and popped it into his mouth.
Larry’s wife, Nancy, rolled her eyes. “You won’t sleep tonight if you eat too much and end up with indigestion.”
“I’ll be fine. Besides, I’ve had a good many Thanksgiving meals from Mom’s table and have never had any stomach problems or heartburn,” he mumbled before sinking his fork into the mound of potatoes.
“Don’t forget to save some room for your mamm’s pumpkin pie.” Al reached over and patted Lydia’s arm. “I remember when the two of us started going steady.” He looked at their family members, who all stared at him intently, seemingly glued to his every word. “I went to her folks’ house to visit your mamm almost every Friday evening, and she always served me some kind of a delicious dessert.” He patted his stomach and chuckled. “It’s a wonder I’m not fat like one of those squealing pigs out there in our barn.”
Everyone laughed, and the conversation changed back to how good the food tasted. Gabe’s wife, Priscilla, commented about the creamy mashed potatoes and mentioned that she’d been glad when Lydia had passed her secret recipe on to her soon after she and Gabe got married.
Lydia smiled as she looked at each family member. “I’m glad you’re all enjoying the meal, and I’m sure you’ll also enjoy the desserts my gracious daughters-in-law have brought along to share.”
Lydia’s mother, Esther, spoke up. “I wish Eleanor and her husband could be with us today. It’s been a while since any of us have seen them, and I’d like to know how they are getting along these days.”
“We miss them too, Grandma,” Sam said. “But I think maybe going to Florida was what they both needed.”
“Sam is right,” Al agreed. “In the last letter we got from Eleanor, she stated that Vic was still grieving pretty hard over his younger brother’s death. I believe that getting away for a while will be good for both him and Eleanor.”
“That’s right,” Lydia agreed. “Reading between the lines of our daughter’s letter, I had the feeling that she has been greatly affected by her husband’s moods—although Eleanor didn’t come right out and say so.” She looked at her mother while musing a moment. If there’s more going on than just Vic’s sad feelings, I do hope my daughter will feel free to confide in me. I know my son-in-law is having a very difficult time getting through his grief. I’m also aware that Vic seemed quite unstable when Al and I were there for his brother’s funeral.
Lydia noticed her mother’s soft expression change to one of concern. Mama was a caring person and didn’t mince her words when conveying things she felt important to the family.
“We need to keep them both in our prayers,” Lydia’s mother said. “Perhaps when they get back from Florida, things will be different for both of them.”
When Eleanor woke up the next morning, she was surprised to discover that Vic’s side of the bed was empty. He’s up early, she thought. I wonder if he’s in the bathroom and plans to come back to bed. She yawned. I’m still tired from staying up too late last night, and I could easily go back to sleep.
Eleanor glanced at the alarm clock setting beside the bed. It was seven thirty. The sun shone around the edges of the window dressings, which kept a majority of light out of the room. This cottage was quite accommodating for their needs. Eleanor almost disliked the idea of leaving when it was time to travel back to Pennsylvania. In a lot of ways, it had been like an oasis for her, with a happier husband, nicer weather, and plenty of quality time for just the two of them, with no one they knew coming by unannounced.
Eleanor waited a few minutes, but when Vic didn’t come back, she got up and slipped on her lightweight robe. Maybe he’s up for the day, which wouldn’t be a surprise. Ever since the first morning we woke up here, my husband has been getting up early.
As soon as Eleanor opened the door to their room, the pleasant hickory scent of bacon greeted her. She hurried into the kitchen and smiled when she saw Vic wearing a pair of shorts, standing in front of the stove with a spatula in one hand.
“This is a surprise,” she said, stepping up to him. “I wasn’t expecting you to cook breakfast.”
He leaned close and kissed her forehead with several soft kisses. “You always cook for me, so I wanted to surprise you this morning.” Vic flipped the bacon over in the pan. “I still have eggs to fry, but I did slice a grapefruit earlier, and it’s in the refrigerator. So if you’re hungerich, you could start with your half.”
“I am hungry, but I can wait till you’re done, and then we can eat together.” Eleanor glanced at the kitchen table and noticed that it hadn’t been set yet. “While you’re finishing up the bacon and eggs, I’ll set the table.”
“Oh, that’s already been done. I put paper plates, silverware, napkins, glasses, and cups on the table out on the screened-in lanai.” Vic spoke in a bubbly tone. “It’s another gorgeous day, so I thought it would be nice if we began it outdoors.”
“I like that idea.” She gave his bare back a gentle kiss. “I’ll go change into something more appropriate. I don’t think it would be proper for any of our neighbors to see me sitting outside in my nightgown and robe.”
Vic nodded and turned the bacon one more time. “Good point. Seeing you in your bedroom clothes is for my eyes only.”
“You’re right about that.” She gave the other side of his back a kiss and hurried from the room.
It didn’t take Eleanor long to choose something from the closet to wear. She popped into the bathroom to freshen up and ran the brush through her long hair, forming it into a ponytail, which she tied and left that way. Then Eleanor slipped on her flip-flops and lifted the window shade. The bathroom filled with sunshine, and she glanced out the window, admiring a peach-colored hibiscus shrub full of its tropical-looking blooms.
When Eleanor returned to the kitchen, wearing a plain pale blue dress, the inviting aroma of coffee greeted her, along with the pleasant odor of bacon that still lingered. Vic had everything set out on two trays—one with bacon and eggs, along with two grapefruit halves. The other tray held a bottle of orange juice and the stainless steel coffeepot.
“If you’ll hold the door open for me, I’ll carry the first tray out,” he said. “After I set it on the table, I’ll be back for the second tray.”
“I can bring that one out.” Eleanor opened the back door and held it for him.
“No, that’s okay. Just keep holding the door, and I’ll get the second tray after I’ve set this one down.” Vic offered Eleanor a wide smile. “Today is your day off, so you won’t be cooking or doing any kind of work. Unless you call pedaling your bike work, that is,” he added with a wink.
“Where are we going with our bikes?” she asked once all the food had been set out and they were both seated at the table on the lanai.
“I thought it would be fun to take a ride across the bridge that goes from Bird Key into the downtown area of Sarasota. Then when we’ve worked up an appetite, we can eat lunch on the outside deck at Marina Jack restaurant. We’ll have a great view of the bay, and I hear they have some pretty good food. But we can talk about it more after we finish our prayers,” Vic added.
“Okay.”
Vic closed his eyes, and Eleanor did the same. Heavenly Father, she prayed, thank You for this meal my husband graciously fixed for us this morning. I thank and praise You for the beautiful day You have given us and for the opportunity Vic and I have had to spend quality time together. It’s a joy for me to see him so calm, and attentive, and with such a peaceful expression on his face. Please let Vic’s positive attitude continue when we return home at the end of next week.