Chapter 14 - Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire
Marie entered her parent's house and was welcomed by a Nat King Cole Christmas song and the smell of turkey cooking. She put her coat and purse in the closet and headed to the kitchen. Her mom was actually cooking and that surprised her. "What happened to Anita?"
Mrs. Harris turned to her daughter and replied, "I gave her the weekend off. I haven't made a Thanksgiving dinner since forever and I wanted to do it."
"That's nice. Do you need help with anything?"
Mrs. Harris shook her head. "Just relax. Are you feeling well?" She stopped what she was doing and took a hold of one of Marie's hand. "It's ashamed of what happened with Simon. I would have liked to have met him."
Marie stated, "Mrs. Albertson told you. What was the rumor? You know what… it doesn't matter. He turned out to be… not what I thought he'd be."
"I'm sorry. I suppose it happens," Mrs. Harris told her daughter.
Marie tilted her head because of the expression that was on her mom's face. "Are you happy?"
Mrs. Harris asked, "What do you mean?"
Marie said, "Well… you've been married to the same man since you were nineteen. Come on, Mom you can't tell me you aren't at all sad that you might have missed out a lot in those years."
Mrs. Harris swiped her hand like it was ridiculous. "Nonsense. I love your father. I love all my children and I am proud of all of you. If I don't show it, I'm sorry. There are times that I forget that you're a headstrong, independent woman. I've been a supporting wife and a mother for so long that I tend to forget that I raised my children well."
"What do you mean? Do you put on a show just for your friends? If you don't act a certain way they'll end the friendship?" Marie asked leaning against a chair.
Mrs. Harris responded quietly, "Those women are fake just like me. They're scared that if they don't act superior, they'll be cast out. Did you know that Shelly Armstrong's son was doing drugs? Yes, and that made her an outcast."
Marie raised her eyebrows. "Ok."
"Mrs. Albertson thinks you are heaven. She's known you since you where thirteen and she's told me that she's proud of you. You have a perfect life according to her. She does hope the best for you," Mrs. Harris told her while pouring milk into the mashed potatoes.
Marie asked, "What about you?"
Mrs. Harris turned to her daughter and placed a hand on her cheek. "I wish you the best life possible. Don't settle for what you don't want." She gave her a hug. "I promise not to bug you over certain things. I'm your mother, I do worry about you."
Marie smiled at her mom. "I'm sorry if I haven't been the best daughter. It's just before Dad became a successful lawyer, we had the perfect life. When everything changed, I hated it. I blamed you guys for the change."
Mrs. Harris nodded. "I understand. You were thinking we were only thinking of ourselves. We were thinking of you guys. We wanted what was best for you. Your father didn't like the fact that he was working longer hours and felt like he was not being the best father to you kids. We pushed you to be who you are because we care."
Marie let that sink in. "Now that I know that… maybe I won't be so… unhappy," Marie told her mother. "I had three crap relationships where two of them ended badly."
"Justin and Will weren't the right men for you," Mrs. Harris said. "I tried to tell you…"
"But I wouldn't have listened anyway," Marie finished. "I needed to learn some lessons."
Mrs. Harris asked, "What did happen exactly?"
Marie gave her mom a lopsided smile. "I'll tell you later. They're long stories."
Mrs. Harris nodded. "So where are the guys at?"
"They're at one of the parents house. God bless them. Twenty guys and themselves, I don't know how Mrs. Johnson is handling it," Marie said, while going over to check the turkey.
Mrs. Harris smiled. "I'm pretty sure she has help."
Marie smiled at her mom as well. "When are Tom and Julie getting here?"
"In an hour, I think. Josh and your father went to get some more beverages."
"Is Sophie coming later?"
"I believe so. Your grandparents will be here shortly as well," Mrs. Harris said while opening up a can of olives. "By the way, why didn't you invite Dave?"
Marie turned to her mom while putting an olive in her mouth. "I didn't know I could have asked."
"He seems really nice."
"He is."
"What position does he play?"
"He's a forward."
"Is he as good as Josh?"
"Josh might be the next Gordie Howe. Dave is an exceptional player, but not as good as Josh. Sad to say, but he is good," Marie said, "otherwise he wouldn't be on the team."
Mrs. Harris smiled. "I hope to meet him again and get to talk to him."
"Maybe the next game for Josh," Marie replied.
vvv
After dinner that evening, Tom had taken Marie to the side and talked to her about the team. "I wish I had known that you were spending quality time with them. Why didn't you tell me?"
"Why didn't you call me. I thought you knew, otherwise I would have," Marie said to him.
"Josh mentioned something about it. I'm sorry I didn't. Been busy with school," Tom said. "I hear you're good friends with one of the guys."
"Dave Silk."
"He's from Boston University? I saw him play once. Good player."
"You went to a Boston game?"
"One of my friends knows a guy that plays."
"Who?"
"You don't know him. So should I be concerned about the guy?"
Marie gave her brother a look. "We're just friends."
Tom said, "Ok."
Marie watched him go back to Julie and give her a hug. She sighed and went to look for her dad. She opened her father's office door and saw him sitting at his desk reading a magazine. She didn't know what, but it had to be interesting because he looked like he didn't even hear her come in. "Dad can I ask you something?"
Mr. Harris looked up and took off his reading glasses. "Sure sweetheart."
Marie sat down in one of the chair's facing his desk. She hesitated before asking, "Are you happy? I mean with your life, us, your work…"
Mr. Harris gave her a smile before standing up and going to sit next to her. "Yes, I am. There are times I wonder what it would have been like if my knee hadn't been injured in college. Would I have had a great hockey career playing against some of the greatest players? However, I have had a wonderful career as a lawyer. Although my biggest thing I'm grateful about it is how my kids have turned out."
Marie smiled at him. "You aren't sad that I choose the career I'm going into at this particular college?"
"No, not at all, I'm very proud of you. I'm proud of what you're doing with your life. I'm proud of the boys, your mother."
"I'm happy to hear that," Marie said and gave him a hug. They talked a little before she decided it was time to go. Before she did, she went to say goodbye to Josh.
"Sunday, 1 pm, be there," he said to her. "Bring Silk if you can."
Marie smiled. "I'll try." She gave him a hug and left.
vvv
The door opened revealing a Silk who was looking a little disheveled. "Did I wake you?" Marie asked. "I'm sorry. I should have called."
"It's fine. What's going on?" he asked while rubbing his eyes.
Marie told him, "I talked to my parents."
"That's great. What did they have to say?"
"They're proud of me."
"And?"
"They are happy with their life and each other."
Silk gave her a hug. He was glad that everything got straightened out.
"Next weekend, are you going to be in town? Josh asked if you could go to another game?"
"Free as a bird. We leave for a road game the next day." Silk smiled and shook his head. "I can't wait."
Marie grinned back at him before telling him that she had to leave and that she'd see him soon. She left with a new look on life and she was happy with it.
