Jingle all the Mitchell Way: a holiday novella(11)

“Please don’t.” She seemed like she believed I’d do it. My neighbor closest to the property was my family, so it wouldn’t have even been a big deal since they’d be attending dinner anyway.

Before heading into town, I considered getting the turkey my mother made and filling her in on the mess I’d made. Then I decided to keep the peace with my wife and get two smaller turkeys prepared by professionals, so she could have the presentation she dreamed of.

Thankfully, they were open and had several birds completely cooked and ready to go. I purchased the two biggest in size and paid for them, content on knowing it was for a good cause. Amber would be thrilled, and everyone could feast never knowing what we’d gone through just to have meat on the table.

An hour later we were in full preparation mode. The table was being set. Reese was vacuuming. Jake was crawling around with the twins on his back to keep them occupied, while Amber focused on the side dishes she’d planned on making.

For a few seconds I stood there watching. She caught me and smiled. “Thank you for this, Jax.”

I stepped closer, pulling her into my arms. “I told you not to worry.”

“You set fire to the backyard. Your dad’s fryer is black. We have no grass. You still haven’t finished making your so-called stuffing balls you claim is some kind of tradition. It’s hard not to worry.”

“We pulled it off. Look at everything. It’s perfect. As far as the balls, just leave that to me. I can make them with my eyes closed.”

“I love you.” Her words were always welcomed.

I brushed my lips over hers. “I think I deserve an extra special dessert tonight.”

“Oh, don’t worry. I have something in mind.”




Once I calmed my wife down, at least enough to get her out of my hair, I got back to work, scavenging around to prepare the second most important part of the meal. I’d managed to cook the sausage ahead of time, so shaping them together was the easy part. Fifteen minutes later they were in the oven, baking to a crispy brown hue so that everyone could stuff their mouths with my balls and be blessed with an incomprehensible burst of flavor.

It was evident my family was going to show up with dishes they’d prepared. We’d have enough food to feed a small village, and after three or so helpings, we’d sit around comatose watching football until eventually most of us fell asleep.

For a little while all was quiet, like the calmness before the storm. I watched the clock on the wall ticking, counting down the minutes until the house was filled with more people than it could handle.





Chapter 6


Jake


Five turkeys.

That’s how many appeared on the large kitchen counter, set up buffet style. With every single guest that entered the home, a large bird was being carried. At first it was funny, especially considering everyone had the same idea – that Amber would burn the house before she could pull off a Thanksgiving feast. Only a few of us knew about the catastrophe earlier in the day, and since it was technically Jax’s undoing, Amber wasn’t responsible.

Along with the slew of poultry, we had plenty of scrumptious side items to surely send us into food comas after the second and third helpings. As tradition would entail, ten turkey drums would be available for what my father had renamed as the annual eye for an eye event.

Years back, it started out as a terrible accident. My dad apparently waved his turkey leg around, smacking it right into my mother’s eye. Blinded by the natural grease, she scurried around trying to alleviate the sting, while the rest of the family observed the fiasco.

Since that Thanksgiving, someone was always trying to get my dad back. Shenanigans were bound to happen at our family get-togethers anyway, but unlike the unexpected prank, this one would go down in history of a strategically planned attack.

With the food ready to eat, and everyone congregating inside the warm home the time had come to bring out the surprise. With the family packing into Jax’s place like sardines, I snuck out and retrieved the large motorhome, arriving back at my brother’s house without them noticing I’d left. With my heart rapidly beating out of excitement, I laid on the horn, becoming surprised at how loud it sounded.

One by one the family came outside, everyone waiting for an explanation.

I opened the door and peeked out, giving them all a once over before stepping foot on the ground. Reese approached me first. “I’m not sure this a good idea. Maybe we should just take a trip instead.”

“It’s going to work,” I said under my breath, changing my tone when it came to explaining what I had up my sleeve. My attention was on Jax and Amber, who clearly awaited an explanation. “Now that everyone is here I’d like to make an announcement.”

Jax crossed his arms, but said the first thing on his mind. “You’re joining the traveling circus?”

“You wish. They offered to bring me on, but I figured you’d get jealous and follow me. Then Amber would seek us out and kick our asses.”

“Enough screwing around you two,” our mother said while her arms covered her chest to keep the chill off of her.

“Fine. So this morning Amber got offered a part in a movie.” I felt it was necessary to add some details. “Don’t get all excited Uncle Colt. It’s not a porno. We won’t get to see her tits.”