Thanksgiving – Part 2
In a little less than five hours, Chandler Bing will inadvertently blurt out that he loves Monica Geller, irrevocably changing their lives forever. She does not know any of that right now. Even if she took the time to think about every possible outcome from today's meal, she would never be able to guess what will eventually happen tonight. In fact, all Monica can think about is finishing the final preparations on this year's Thanksgiving dinner.
Monica has been busy all morning getting everything ready. She has cooked several specific dishes for everyone. She made a traditional Thanksgiving dinner that includes a turkey, stuffing, gravy, yams, brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce and three different types of potatoes; tots for Joey, whipped with peas and onions for Phoebe, and mashed with lumps for Ross. She also prepared Phoebe a vegetarian entrée with different types of squash and sweet potatoes. Lastly, she prepared grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup and a small chicken for Chandler. She even has a back-up turkey ready; a habit she had formed after everything burned during the group's first Thanksgiving. Usually, if the back-up turkey goes unused, she makes it the next day for Mr. Treeger as a holiday gift. Treeger, the superintendent, had let Monica know he prefers the more personal gift of a home cooked meal rather than just a cash tip.
Over the last few years, Monica had noticed that Chandler's aversion to all things Thanksgiving has weakened a bit. He has started eating more of the side dishes that she prepares, including tasting all three types of potatoes and the cranberry sauce. His real hard line stance on not eating "pilgrim food" is down to turkey and stuffing. He normally just eats the grilled cheese sandwiches or mac n cheese, if that is offered, but never demands anything else special. This year though, Monica decided to make him a chicken. Rachel was a little surprised she was going through all the trouble, but Monica insisted it was not a big deal.
Monica knew she wanted to make something special for Chandler this year. She had been thinking about the last few Thanksgiving dinners together as a group and recalled how Chandler gave a sweet and impromptu speech at their very first one, galvanizing them all into agreeing to spend the holiday together instead of with their own families from that point on. She also reflected on how angry they were that night, yelling at each other over failed plans and burned food. Eventually though, they stopped bickering, realizing they should be grateful and appreciate the fact that they had each other. She remembers how the one friend she immediately connected with at that moment was Chandler. It was a shared expression of platonic love between the two, which was still, to this day, a meaningful moment for her; further solidifying their bond. That, combined with how he spent last year in a box; she figured he deserved something a little extra.
At least, that is what she would tell Rachel if pressed on it. The real reason is more personal. Earlier in the week, when she was picking up groceries for tonight's meal and crossed off the supplies on her list for each individual friend, she paused when she reached Chandler's name and had a sudden epiphany; this will be her first holiday season, in the apartment, with an actual boyfriend.
Sure, she may have had a date on the holidays, or even invited an old boyfriend just to come for dinner or a party. None of those really meets the label of boyfriend. With Chandler, this year, she knows they are together. There is no guesswork. They are a couple in a relationship. This isn't some desperation reach for companionship. This is someone she is close to, intimate with, and most of all, happy with.
Monica acknowledges that this is not a typical relationship; they are still sneaking around, no one else knows about them, save Joey, and he doesn't know much. They haven't actually used the words boyfriend or girlfriend aloud, or talked about their feelings for each other, however, Monica's intuition informs her that they have indeed come to terms with what they are, even if they have not admitted to themselves exactly what that is.
Both of them, due to failed relationships in the past, are far too apprehensive to move too fast or too slow and ruin the wonderful thing they have been experiencing together. Treating their courtship like a Faberge egg. Precious, rare and extremely delicate. She has convinced herself that she does not need to know where this relationship is going, even though every impulse she used to have when dating someone for this long would be screaming the exact opposite.
Now, ever since Monica made this realization about having a boyfriend for the holidays, she hasn't felt as rushed, pressured or even fatigued from all the cooking, which would normally happen right before everyone came over. Today, she has a bounce in her step and can't stop smiling.
Monica knows that the two of them probably won't be able to get any significant time alone this evening, but she is content with the fact that they will be around each other, even with their other friends are present. During these last few months, they have mastered the art of slight touches and knowing glances in plain sight, that have gone unnoticed by their friends. They've always been close and comfortably huddled together throughout their friendship, that it doesn't look odd when they sit next to each other and leave a hand lingering on a knee or shoulder. She has even considered snuggling with him on the couch, under a blanket, while everyone else was there, but has yet to work up the courage to try it. She is almost certain it wouldn't look out of character, as long as they weren't too busy with their hands underneath.
This secret between them, that they've been able to secure for these last few months, has been invigorating. Exciting her in ways she did not expect. It also feels familiar. Like the time before everyone else was so ubiquitous in her life and at her home. When it would just be the two of them. As each other's only true friend. Spending time together, sharing stories, secrets, even having a physical connection, while never turning sexual; it was always there, that level of closeness. Now it has been intensified. Like they set a fire to dry kindling and are basking in the heat of that flame.
The front door to the apartment opens up as Rachel returns, breaking Monica out of her daydream. "Monica. I just don't think I will ever understand men." Rachel makes her way to the table and starts to mindlessly fold napkins.
"Sweetie, don't do that, just fold them once." Monica picks up a napkin to show Rachel how she wants them to look. "See, just do this and then one more crease here and…"
Rachel grabs the napkin from Monica, cutting her off and starts to fold it into little squares. "I mean, you think you know a guy. Or in this case, guys."
Before Monica can continue her protests to Rachel, Joey, Ross and Chandler walk in. Their hair slick with gel, Ross tussled and dropping down his neck, Joey's slightly standing up in the front, and Chandler's with a few odd looking spikes poking around in different directions. Monica looks at him and gives off a slight laugh. "Hey, Alfalfa? Is Darla and Spanky on the way?"
Chandler just mocks a laugh and walks into the living room, plopping himself down on the couch. Dejected.
"Monica, everything smells so good." Ross inhales with satisfaction. "This is just what I needed. Did you do the potatoes with the lumps?"
Monica reaches out and rubs Ross' shoulders reassuringly, "Yes, Ross. Just how you like them. Why don't you go sit down. Phoebe should be here soon and we will start eating."
As if choreographed, Phoebe walks in. She takes off her coat and hangs it on the hook by the door. "Oh, this has already been a day. I'm so hungry I could eat a horse sized eggplant." Everyone turns to look at her, puzzled. "Well, I can't say horse. I don't eat meat. Don't you guys pay any attention?" Phoebe huffs and sits down at the kitchen table, which has been extended with the leaf added to fit all the food and all six friends.
Monica wipes her hands on a dish towel and puts some utensils on the table. "Rachel, could you help put these out for everyone? Ross, Joey, do you mind pouring the wine? Chandler? Can you help me check on the pies?"
Chandler perks up and walks over to the door to join Monica. As soon as they step outside into the hallway, they embrace and kiss. Holding each other for a few minutes as they then make their way into his apartment. Once they close the door, they begin to kiss again; Monica running her hands up the base of Chandler's neck. "Chandler. What did you do to your hair?"
Chandler wraps his arms tightly around her waist. "Oh, this? Well, I think this is how the pilgrims wore their hair after they arrived on the S.S. Vidal Sassoon."
"Honey, S.S. stands for Steam Ship. The pilgrims didn't have those." Monica leans in and kisses him softly on the lips. "We can't stay too long, but we can probably come back here one or two more times to check the pies."
He looks down at her and smiles, "You just want to make sure they don't burn." Monica laughs and they kiss again, holding each other tenderly, knowing they will soon have to return to the others and go back to pretending they are not a couple. She brings her hand down his arm and interlocks her fingers with his. They smile at each other with genuine adoration until Monica leads Chandler to the door, through the hall, and back into her apartment.