Hey guys, I'm so sorry for the long wait. My computer broke for a while and I've also been stuggling to find the inspiration to write. I've also been busy, I recently got a job babysitting all day on weekdays and the kids are both young and a handful. Before I start I just want take a moment to remember George Flyod and all lives lost to police brutality. Thank you so much for all your kind reveiws and for everyone who is continuing reading this story. I have not edited anymore of my early work on this story, all my efforts have gone to writing this chapter. Anyway, without further ado heres the next chapter.
It was the Monday before Thanksgiving. Meg would spend the holiday with her mother, who lived about 3 hours away from where Meg and Christine lived. Christine, however, couldn't find the time to get away. Between work and chorus practice she was too busy. But it was a good kind of busy and Christine was happy.
She was currently standing by the turkeys in Publix, her car filled with Thanksgiving goods. She always loved cooking, and Thanksgiving was one of her favorite holidays growing up. She was excited to finnaly have a reason to cook the annual feast. Cecilia and Judie also weren't going home for Thanksgiving, and they had agreed to come over. Raoul would also be there, he had jumped at the opportunity to spend the holiday with her. Erik would not. Christine had invited him but he , unsurprisingly, declined. He never really liked being around people. To be honest, Christine was glad he wouldn't be there. She enjoyed his company, but she couldn't imagine him and Raoul getting along. Maybe she was crazy to think that, but she was happy that her boyfriend and her bestfriend wouldn't have to opportunity to fight. Boyfriend. It still felt a little strange to call Raoul that. They had been going out for two weeks when Raoul had asked her to be his girlfriend. She had said yes, but even now, almost a month after they had made it official, it all felt so new to her. She never dated much in high school or college for various reasons and being committed to someone in this way. Christine settled on a turkey before making her way to checkout.
Christine started on the turkey when she woke up in the morning. She had the day off of work for Thanksgiving. She had already made the pie the night before, and now it was time to focus on the turkey. She preheated the oven while she washed and prepared the turky, stuffing it full of stuffing before putting it in the oven. While the turkey was in the oven Christine made the cranberry sauce and dough for the biscuits. Everything else would have to wait until closer to dinner. By the time she finished all this it was about time for Raoul , Cecilia, and Judie to come over. They were all going to watch the parade together.
About ten minutes before she was expecting everyone the doorbell rang and Christine opened the door to find Raoul on the other side.
He greeted her with a friendly smile and a quick kiss on the lips "Hey, I thought I'd here a little early so I could catch some time with just you"
Christine smiled at this and embraced Raoul "So you came early just because?" she questioned
"Partly, I do enjoy your company" Raoul said good naturedly "But I also wanted to ask you something, my parents are in town and I want you to meet then this weekend... they already like you."
Christine almost laughed at this. Raoul's parents didn't like her. They always seemed to view her family as lower than them. Raoul may not have inherited that view, but that didn't change his parents. But she cared about Raoul, and she could tell this was important to him so she agreed "Sure, that sounds lovely" she said with a false smile. Raoul grinned at her and leaned in to kiss her.
It was that moment that a knock sounded on the door. Christine pulled away and opened the door to let Cecilia and Judie in. Christine greeted them with a hug "Hey, Happy Thanksgiving! I'm so glad you could make it"
"Me too!" said Judie "It's nice to be able to have a Thanksgiving dinner, even if I can't go home"
Cecilia nodded in agreement "And is this your boyfriend you've told us about" she asked, admiring Raoul.
"Yes, he is" confirmed Christine "This is Raoul. and Raoul, this is Cecilia and and Judie. They are my friends from the choir" she introduced.
"It's nice to meet you both" Roul greeted politely.
The four of them sat down to watch the parade. After the parade ended they chatted while playing various card games. About an hour before the turkey was ready Christine retreated to the kitchin for the wild hour of meal prep that awaited her to get a feast on the table.
When they finally all sat down to dinner Christine was exhausted but content with her work. Everyone served themselves heaps of food and dug in. Everyone complemented the food and Christine felt a strange feeling of nostalgia settle over her. The entire meal was just like the Thanksgiving she used to have with her parents. She never thought she would be cooking it by herself this soon. Part of her felt a longing in her heart for her Mom and Dad. Part of her wished that her Dad had cooked the food she was eating. But a bigger part of her savored this connection with her parents that she had been able to maintain, even if they weren't able to share it with her.
That weekend Christine sat in Raoul's car on the way to meet his parents. She was looking out the was anxiously smoothing out her dress. She didn't know why she was anxious, she already knew his parents didn't like her. It wasn't like she had to worry about that. But still, she knew what she was signing up for when she agreed to lunch. It was hard not to be a little unsettled at the prospect of spending and afternoon with two people who constantly belittled her. Christine didn't even notice when the car came to a park on front of the restaurant. She just stayed zoned out, staring out the window. Raoul chuckled and squeezed her shoulder comfortingly, bringing her back to Earth "Relax, they love you". Chistine wondered briefly if he actually thought that or if he was just lying to her because he thought it was best to. She gave him a weak smile before getting out of the car and heading into the restaurant with him.
Raoul's parents stood as the approached the table "Hey mom, hey day" Raoul grinned when he saw them before going over to hug them. "I'm so glad you were able to see Christine"
"Hello, Christine. It's a pleasure to see you" Raoul's mother nodded at her, sitting back down "How have you been?"
"I've been good" Christine told her "I'm really happy that I ran into Raoul again the other day"
"Yes, it truly is a pleasure to have you back in our lives" Raoul's mother said "What is it that you do again? Are you still into that performing dream you had? To be a singer? You do know dear, that isn't very profitable"
Christine stifined at this but responded with a pasive smile "I do still sing, yes. I'm in the local chorus. But as for how I make a living, I'm a nurse."
"Oh that wonderful. I'm glad you are able to make a respectable living while maintaining your hobbies" Raoul's mother said "You wouldn't want to be one of those women who relied on her husband for financial support". With this comment she subtlety glanced between her and Raoul, a suggestive accusation in her eyes.
"Christine's a really great singer, actually. She's the best out there" Raoul told his parents, a hint of pride in his voice "Her chorus is having a concert in December, you guys should try and come. You'll be blown away" he promised.
Please say no, please say no, please say no Christine silently prayed. "I don't think so honey" Raoul's mother said apologetically "That's not far from now and it tough to travel so much"
Christine breathed a sigh of relief. She was already anxious enough about this concert without that added pressure. The rest of the lunch passed in a similar fasion. Raoul's mother would find suble passive aggressive ways to insult Christine and Raoul would talk her up weather it was in an effort to get his mother to like her or because he genuinely felt that strongly about her Christine was still not completely certain. Raoul's father was mostly silent, as usual. Christine couldn't really form an honest opinion on him. She assumed he was like his wife, but he never said much to prove her right on that front. The lunch only lasted about an hour, but to Christine it felt like forever. As she left the restaurant with Raoul she tried to imagine doing this for the rest of her life, going through these motions every so often. She couldn't.
End of chapter. So, what do you think? I feel like this is not my strongest chapter, and I apologize. But I don't know if that's just me, or if that's actually true. The next chapter should be better, and sooner, now that I finnaly finished this one. I promise you will see more Erik next chapter. After last chapter's dramatic revelation, I'm sorry I left you hanging in that department. I wanted to develop her other relationships more, especially her relationship with Raoul. Question: how would you like to have a preview for the next chapter at the end of each chapter. Like not giving anything away, but just a little hint. Like they'll give for TV shows sometimes. Let me know in the reviews, or PM me. Please review! I always love to read reviews.