Chapter 8
The Tracy family always got together for Thanksgiving. With three men in the service, this was a tricky deal, but not impossible. When it came to business Jeff would rather lose a contract than miss Thanksgiving with his family. It might have something to do with the wonderful food that Grandma produced year after year. The kitchen was an Aladdin's cave of good things to eat. Pies of every description, candied fruits, nuts, cookies, and a massive turkey slowly cooking in the oven set the stage for this important family gathering.
Alan and Gordon were overjoyed to see their older brothers again and endured the noogies and teasing remarks happily. Scott's captain's bars were admired as well as a new medal that Virgil sported.
"I got it for brushing my teeth after every meal." He flashed a white toothed grin at his family. He wasn't too ready to talk about the harrowing experience that nearly cost people's lives.
John had brought home a pile of galley sheets for his new book, "Listening to Space" and promised his brothers autographed copies when it came out at Christmas.
Jeff felt as if a heavy burden had been taken off his shoulders. His boys were home, safe and sound. Their family was together.
***
In the Jones household, everyone attended Thanksgiving. The dinner was provided by a catering firm who delivered the perfectly beautiful dinner for four to the family a few hours before they were expected to sit at the table. This year they had Cornish Game Hens which yielded no pleasure in the eating as the girls were not allowed to eat with their fingers. The table was beautifully set with crystal and napkins and silver. No one smiled except for Mrs. Jones who chatted airily about the weather and family long dead or imagined.
Judge Jones, playing the family patriarch, interviewed his daughters closely about their lives over the past fall.
Em and Charlotte rolled eyes at one another, at least in complete agreement for once, that the sooner this was over the better.
"I feel like he's getting ready to pass judgment." Charlotte whispered to Em.
"Yeah, with a sentence to match. No parole." Em whispered back and managed to look innocent when her father glared at her.
"I have very good news for you all." The judge announced portentously. "I have been asked to run as a candidate for the State's Attorney. It will mean a great deal of prestige for the name of Jones. I'm sure you will all do your part to support me in this." He fixed a stare at his oldest daughter. "No scandals or breath of wrong doing can be connected with me."
"Yes, Daddy." Em said meekly. This year hadn't left much time for high jinx and her favorite partner in crime had gone completely bonkers and was dating her little sister.
"Charlotte?" Her father looked at her sternly.
"Yes, Daddy. I intend to be good." Charlotte looked at her unappetizing dinner. "For me. I'll do what is good for me. "She added in her mind and smiled brightly.
***
"So, I hear you got yourself a girl friend." Virgil mentioned at the table as he passed the large bowl of mashed potatoes around the table for a third round. He grinned at Gordon.
"Yeah, well, yeah." Gordon blushed and shoveled a forkful of stuffing into his mouth.
"Em's little sister." Alan added helpfully. He had already given his older brothers the vital details on Gordon's latest girl friend. Matter of fact he told everything he could remember about her. Including the fact that he didn't see what Gordon saw in the girl as she was a stuck up sophomore, not worthy of a junior's attention, much less a senior's. Em was much nicer in his opinion. "Passed the candied yams, please"
"That's your second helping." John reminded him.
"Third. Are we keeping score this year?" Alan asked innocently digging into the dish.
"No. You are not." His grandmother interrupted firmly. "A good healthy appetite is one thing. I'm not sitting up with you boys another Thanksgiving with acute gastritis." she shook a finger at the young men.
"Now, mother. It is your cooking. We can't help it, if it is so good. So, when's dessert?" Jeff grinned and the grin was echoed by five more identical Tracy grins.
The Tracy family always got together for Thanksgiving. With three men in the service, this was a tricky deal, but not impossible. When it came to business Jeff would rather lose a contract than miss Thanksgiving with his family. It might have something to do with the wonderful food that Grandma produced year after year. The kitchen was an Aladdin's cave of good things to eat. Pies of every description, candied fruits, nuts, cookies, and a massive turkey slowly cooking in the oven set the stage for this important family gathering.
Alan and Gordon were overjoyed to see their older brothers again and endured the noogies and teasing remarks happily. Scott's captain's bars were admired as well as a new medal that Virgil sported.
"I got it for brushing my teeth after every meal." He flashed a white toothed grin at his family. He wasn't too ready to talk about the harrowing experience that nearly cost people's lives.
John had brought home a pile of galley sheets for his new book, "Listening to Space" and promised his brothers autographed copies when it came out at Christmas.
Jeff felt as if a heavy burden had been taken off his shoulders. His boys were home, safe and sound. Their family was together.
***
In the Jones household, everyone attended Thanksgiving. The dinner was provided by a catering firm who delivered the perfectly beautiful dinner for four to the family a few hours before they were expected to sit at the table. This year they had Cornish Game Hens which yielded no pleasure in the eating as the girls were not allowed to eat with their fingers. The table was beautifully set with crystal and napkins and silver. No one smiled except for Mrs. Jones who chatted airily about the weather and family long dead or imagined.
Judge Jones, playing the family patriarch, interviewed his daughters closely about their lives over the past fall.
Em and Charlotte rolled eyes at one another, at least in complete agreement for once, that the sooner this was over the better.
"I feel like he's getting ready to pass judgment." Charlotte whispered to Em.
"Yeah, with a sentence to match. No parole." Em whispered back and managed to look innocent when her father glared at her.
"I have very good news for you all." The judge announced portentously. "I have been asked to run as a candidate for the State's Attorney. It will mean a great deal of prestige for the name of Jones. I'm sure you will all do your part to support me in this." He fixed a stare at his oldest daughter. "No scandals or breath of wrong doing can be connected with me."
"Yes, Daddy." Em said meekly. This year hadn't left much time for high jinx and her favorite partner in crime had gone completely bonkers and was dating her little sister.
"Charlotte?" Her father looked at her sternly.
"Yes, Daddy. I intend to be good." Charlotte looked at her unappetizing dinner. "For me. I'll do what is good for me. "She added in her mind and smiled brightly.
***
"So, I hear you got yourself a girl friend." Virgil mentioned at the table as he passed the large bowl of mashed potatoes around the table for a third round. He grinned at Gordon.
"Yeah, well, yeah." Gordon blushed and shoveled a forkful of stuffing into his mouth.
"Em's little sister." Alan added helpfully. He had already given his older brothers the vital details on Gordon's latest girl friend. Matter of fact he told everything he could remember about her. Including the fact that he didn't see what Gordon saw in the girl as she was a stuck up sophomore, not worthy of a junior's attention, much less a senior's. Em was much nicer in his opinion. "Passed the candied yams, please"
"That's your second helping." John reminded him.
"Third. Are we keeping score this year?" Alan asked innocently digging into the dish.
"No. You are not." His grandmother interrupted firmly. "A good healthy appetite is one thing. I'm not sitting up with you boys another Thanksgiving with acute gastritis." she shook a finger at the young men.
"Now, mother. It is your cooking. We can't help it, if it is so good. So, when's dessert?" Jeff grinned and the grin was echoed by five more identical Tracy grins.