Her family was close to arriving now and I couldn’t wait to see them.
I loved Uncle Craig and Aunt Leslie and hadn’t seen their daughter Kylie for a little while. She was in her third year of college now and I couldn’t wait to catch up.
I felt especially excited about seeing Nona Gigi. She was my father’s mom and the one I had such fond memories of baking with and learning everything I knew.
I looked forward to the night they’d spend here at the house and the following morning, even if it meant I’d be sleeping on the couch. There weren’t enough bedrooms for all of us, but I’d spent many nights on the couch falling asleep to movies.
I didn’t mind doing it tonight, and it was Thanksgiving, after all. It was supposed to be hectic, and I reached for the cinnamon, shaking over the apple tart I was famous for before slipping it into the fridge. Of course, it was Nona’s recipe, but she swore I cooked it better than she did.
Mom mashed the potatoes across the kitchen, and I offered her a smile. “The turkey smells amazing, Mom. I can’t wait to eat.” I had been smelling it since we began cooking this morning, only taking a break to shower and slip into some gray slacks and a burgundy sweater for dinner.
“Once everyone gets here and we settle in with the sides, it’ll be time. It’s going to be wonderful and I’m so glad you’re here for it,” Mom told me, looking beautiful in black leggings and a burnt orange tunic that made her eyes pop.
“I don’t like to miss the holidays, Mom. you know that.” I assured her as we shared a smile. She covered the massive bowl of potatoes with foil and set it aside, needing to just warm it up in the oven once the turkey was out.
Within moments, the doorbell rang, and chaos ensued. My aunt came through the door with her green bean casserole while Uncle Craig wheeled in the suitcases, followed by Kylie. Nona followed, and we all exchanged hugs as soon as Leslie set the enormous dish on the counter.
“It’s so good to see you,” I told them, looking around with a huge smile.
“I’m glad you’re here, Avery. I’m sorry about everything with the restaurant,” Leslie offered as Kylie ducked out of the door for the rest of the food. She looked so much like Mom, and I shrugged, hiding my pain.
“It’s okay. I’m here!” I told her, giving her another hug. Kylie brought in a thick grocery bag with more food, and I helped her unload the dishes that I knew contained stuffing and sweet potatoes. They were the same delicious dishes every year and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“How’s college?” I asked Kylie, as her blue eyes glowed with happiness.
“I love it. Only two more years left,” she told me, tucking a dark strand of hair behind her ear. “How are you?”
“I’ve been working at the lodge for the last few weeks, getting ready for the holidays. It looks gorgeous,” I told her with a warm smile. “I hope you can all see it tomorrow.”
“Me, too. I can’t wait!” Kylie told me with an equally excited smile. “When is Jefferson getting here?”
I opened my mouth to answer when the doorbell rang again. “Now?” I joked as I made my way to answer the front door, swinging it open. Polly walked in first and I hugged her tightly, apologizing for not being able to see her. Jefferson followed with a bag and smiled at me and his wife as he walked to the kitchen to unload the wine and sparkling cider for Polly, putting them on the counter before giving Mom a hug.
“I’ve been busy with my students, and Jefferson tells me you’ve been all over the lodge. He’s pleased with the decorations!” Polly told me as we made our way to the kitchen to help with anything that needed to be done.
“I’m so glad. It was a blast,” I offered, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge for Polly and myself. “So, when will you know what the baby is? I’m dying here.”
Polly had what looked like a bump as she stroked her stomach, her chocolate eyes gleaming with mirth. “We’re announcing that over dessert. Jefferson wanted to tell everyone, and tonight is perfect for that.”
“I don’t know if my apple tart will compare to that,” I joked, giggling as Polly rolled her eyes.
“I have been looking forward to that tart since I found out about the pregnancy,” my sister-in-law promised me, slipping an arm around my shoulders. “I miss your baking, Avery. I miss you.”
“I’ll be here for a while,” I told her, laughing as Mom started getting the dishes warmed up and set up on the table. I helped her, telling Polly to rest while I worked, something my brother agreed with as he slipped his arms around her waist.
Once the sides were on the table and Jefferson carried the turkey to the table, we all sat down as he looked down at the massive bird. It was always Dad that carved it, but my brother took over for him after he died. It made me choke up every time.
“This is for you, Dad,” he said in a hoarse voice as he began slicing thick pieces from the turkey, setting them on the side of the platter. I sniffled and watched as a tear slid down Mom’s cheek, reaching for her hand beside me. Nona also wiped a few tears away, and I reached for my wine with my free hand, needing it in this moment.
I missed him so much this time of year. Dad was always in the kitchen, and I often joined him, though Mom herself was an amazing cook. It’s something we all did together all the time, and there was a big void without Dad here.
Jefferson carved enough to get started, and we each took some before everyone passed the sides around.
We talked about everything over the meal. Kylie told us all about her graphic design classes and how much she loved going to NYU. She planned to return home once she finished, missing the peaceful vibe of Lake Placid.
I was nothing like her at that age. I wanted to live in the city forever.
Polly and Jefferson talked about the plans for the nursery. Though she wouldn’t yet reveal a theme, Polly told us she had the furniture picked out and where it would go in their three-bedroom lake house just down the street from Mom’s house.