Chapter 21: Best Part
The following day was Thanksgiving, yet Bob and Linda were still hung over from their big night out. Nonetheless, Bob sprung out of bed and started preparing for dinner, even though his head was killing him and he almost threw up in the shower. Linda, however, would not budge when Bob tried to wake her up, so Zeke offered to help him prepare. In contrast, the Belcher kids were still awake and alert after their night, even though they didn't get out of control. Unlike Bob and Linda.
Before Thanksgiving dinner, the Belcher kids went down to the Wharf just like old times. Tina was a little disappointed that Zeke didn't join them, but she knew he was thrilled to help Bob prepare his famous Thanksgiving dinner, and vice versa. The rides didn't excite them like they used to. The older they got, the more they realized how dinky and dangerous they were. Instead, they decided to meet up with some of their old and new friends, who were also back from college for Thanksgiving, or were still in high school and on break.
They first saw Rudy, Darryl, and the Pesto twins hanging out by one of the rides, beckoning them to come and hang out with them. They were all seniors in high school by that time, so they had several questions about college and adult life to ask Tina and Gene. Rudy was significantly taller than Tina had remembered. I guess they should change his nickname to large-sized Rudy, since he towered over everyone, but was still his sweet, lethargic self. Darryl was just as intelligent as Tina remembered, if not more so. He looked a lot like what Louise imagined he would look like as a teenager from her "Why I Love Wagstaff" story; he was on track to go Princeton for robotics on a scholarship, but still had questions about college life and what to expect. Andy and Ollie grew up to look a lot like their older brother Jimmy Jr., who was nowhere to be found. Perhaps Andy and Ollie took after their mom, whom Tina had never met, but assumed was bubbly, kind, and loyal, unlike Jimmy Pesto or Jimmy Jr.; they were still goofy and literally attached at the hip, and planned on going to community college until they figured out what they wanted to study.
When Louise saw Rudy and how much he had matured, her face became flushed. Tina could tell she still had feelings for him, but shied away and went to hang out in an ally between the fun house and an ice cream shop with her new friends, leaving behind her siblings and old Huxley friends.
"Louise seems… different," Rudy said as nicely as possible.
"Different's an understatement," Darryl crossed his arms, "I knew she was rebellious, but I never expected her to go down this path." They all considered Louise as a natural born leader, who was intelligent and compassionate when she applied herself. Yet something changed in her along the way, sending her on a very different path.
"We saw her hanging out with the skateboarders who used to pick on us," Andy said, referring to Logan and his little crew, who were out of college by that time. It was unsurprising that they still hung around their old stomping grounds, since they really weren't all that mature to begin with.
"Yeah, I mean… I don't want to potentially spread a rumor, but it looked like her and one of them had something going on, but you didn't hear that from me!" Ollie chimed in. They knew he was referring to Logan, who was once Louise's archenemy. Though scandalous, Louise was already eighteen by that time and they weren't dating. Perhaps they were just flirting to rebel against the status quo. Or maybe she was just flaunting an older guy to attempt to get Rudy jealous.
Rudy sighed and puffed his inhaler sadly. "You still like Louise, don't you?" Gene asked.
"Yeah," Rudy wheezed, "I wish things didn't get so messed up. I don't think she ever forgave me for dating Jessica, even though it didn't last and she's with Peter Pescadero now. I can't shake the feeling that she hates me."
"I still think she'll come around," Tina said hopefully, "Louise is different, but maybe she's just going through a phase. She just needs to figure things out." Tina was always the hopeful romantic, but trailed off when she saw Todd, who appeared to be with family taking advantage of the half-priced rides. "Speaking of figuring things out," She added, directing her attention to Gene.
Gene locked eyes with Todd for a split second, before they both turned away. "uh, I think I'm good." Gene said passively.
"Come on, man," Darryl urged, "you two need to sort things out and get closure."
"Wait," Gene started, "you know?" he asked.
"We all know," Darryl added, "not to disparage your relationship or anything, but come on, everyone can tell that something's still there and things went off the rails. You guys just need to sit down and talk instead of avoiding each other. That only makes things worse." Although Darryl wasn't necessarily the romantic, he gave great relationship advice and seemed to be very in touch with other people's emotions. He literally broke relationships down to a science.
After they egged Gene on to talk to Todd, the rest of them walked along the Wharf and met up with some of their old friends that were getting ready to graduate from college, like Tina. Jocelyn and Tammy went to the same college in Philadelphia and planned on being best friends and roommates all through college, but it didn't work out that way. Jocelyn joined the cheer squad at their school, while Tammy joined a sorority after Jocelyn cut down her time with Tammy because of cheer, ultimately dumping Jocelyn as a friend the second she got in. Jocelyn managed, though. She had a new friend group and became roommates with some of her close friends on the team. Although she was still ditsy, Jocelyn seemed happier and like a better person, unlike Tammy who was the same brat Tina knew since middle school.
Since Jimmy Pesto's got shut down, Jimmy interestingly got a new job as a curator at an Italian heritage museum, which seemed like a better fit for him instead of a restaurateur. Much to his chagrin, he allowed Jimmy Jr. to go to school for dance, where he hoped to become a backup dancer, or even open a dance academy. Jimmy Jr. and Tina made light small talk, which was incredibly awkward. It seemed like Jocelyn was the only person who genuinely happy that Tina and Zeke were still together. Jimmy Jr. and Tammy held some animosity, towards them, especially since the two dated out of spite to get Tina and Zeke jealous.
"So if you're here, where's Zeke?" Tammy asked rudely.
"Actually, he's helping my dad prepare Thanksgiving dinner," Tina smiled.
"Oh my god, you guys are gonna get married and have, like, little chef babies." Jocelyn cooed.
"I don't know about all that," Jimmy Jr. muttered.
"How do you know?" Rudy asked, budding into their conversation.
"Yeah," Darryl chimed in a nasally voice.
"Ah, forget it," Jimmy Jr. said, swatting the air.
"So, where are the rest of the bumbling Belchers?" Tammy asked.
"Gene's talking to Todd and Louise is with her new friends," Rudy replied.
"Oh, right because the little cretin got kicked out," Tammy scoffed, "figures."
"Okay, but to be fair, Tammy, you would never say that if she were here." Rudy defended. No matter how rocky their friendship and relationship were, Rudy was fiercely loyal and always stood up for her.
"Yeah, I mean you're talking like she isn't right there," Darryl said, pointing at nothing.
"Wait, where is she? I-" Tammy frantically asked, whipping around to see no one was standing there.
"Ha, gotcha!" Darryl and Rudy laughed simultaneously.
They regrouped and left the Wharf before the sunset, because they knew Bob would flip out if they were late for dinner, especially since it was his favorite holiday. When they got back to the apartment, Linda's hangover subsided, and she was sitting on the couch drinking her Thanksgiving wine with Gayle and Mr. Frond, who were recently married. Gayle moved in with Mr. Frond and sold her apartment, helping her earn a little extra cash. Bob also invited Teddy and Mort for dinner, where they wholeheartedly accepted his invitation.
"Alright," Bob started as he wiped his hands on his pants and clasped them together, "now that everyone's home, we can get started." He and Zeke looked overly happy. While were they smiling at each other so much? Perhaps they were just happy to have bonded over turkey and stuffing. Either way, it struck Tina as odd. They all sat down at the table in preparation for Bob's Thanksgiving toast. "So, uh, I'm very gravy-ful that everyone could be here tonight," Bob said as he chuckled to himself awkwardly, getting a sympathy laugh from Mort and Teddy, "this Thanksgiving, I think we'll do stuffing different… Really? Nothing? Forget it, anyway, Zeke would you like to take the floor?"
"Sure thing, Mr. B," Zeke said as Bob sat down in his chair. Zeke stood up and looked around the room. "I'm very thankful that we could all be here together, especially with Gayle and my man Mr. Frond. And we can't forget our best customers! On a serious note, I'm very thankful that y'all welcomed me into your home, gave me a job, and allowed me to date your amazing daughter." Zeke paused for a moment as Linda and Gayle cooed and awed in unison. "Now, I would like to keep this tradition going with all of y'all. I'm rambling, so before we eat, I have a very important question for Tina." Zeke looked over at Bob, who smiled and nodded. They definitely plotted something.
"What's happening," Linda asked already tipsy, "why are you two smiling like that?" Zeke made his way over toward Tina with a little box in his hand. Tina, still seated, stared up at him as he stopped and bent on one knee. "Oh my god," Linda gasped.
"Tina, you have made me the happiest man on the planet," he said as his voice shook, "I love everything about you, your family, your kindness, your patience… And I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Zeke paused as Linda and Gayle blubbered at his sentimental words. He opened the small box to reveal an elaborate diamond ring. "Will you continue to make me the happiest man on the planet by being my wife?"
Tina covered her face for a moment to regain her composure. "Yes," she said softly into her hands.
"What?" He asked.
"YES!" She squealed, flinging her arms around him.
"Oh my god, this is the best Thanksgiving ever," Linda wailed. The room erupted with applause, and sniffles from overemotional family members and Teddy.
"I hate to break up the love fest, but let's dig in everyone!" Bob said as he started carving the turkey.