Thanksgiving had arrived. Jim had drawn a double, working the graveyard and then the day shift. He hadn't been surprised when he drew both, it happened almost every year. He was tired and looking pretty rough but he had promised Jenny that he would help her so he headed to the cafe. She was inside with boxes spread out on the tables. Unlocking the door, she let him in.
"Wow, you look beat," she said.
"Well, it was a long shift. I'm okay." He smiled.
"I'll put on some coffee and I seem to remember that I promised you turkey."
"No coffee, please. I'm swimming in an ocean of it already. But the turkey sounds great."
"Come in the kitchen. I'll fix you a plate...me too for that matter. I'm kind of hungry and ready for a break."
They made their way back and Jim's senses were treated to wonderful smells. She had their food warming on the steam table. Holding a plate she asked, "Okay. There's turkey...and then there's green beans with tasso, sweet potatoes, stuffing, dirty rice, corn, and squash?"
"All of the above." His mouth was watering.
"Cornbread or yeast roll?"
"Ah, would I sound like a glutton if I said both?"
Laughing she filled his plate. He carried it back into the dining area as she fixed one for herself. Then she poured two glasses of iced tea.
As she sat down, she reached across the table and held his hand, squeezing it. "Thanks Jim. It's nice to have a reason to fix a holiday meal."
Understanding the emotions behind her words, he squeezed back. "yeah, and it's nice to share in it too. Really does make it feel a little more like a day of thanks."
They ate, chatting a little between bites. But Jim was too engrossed in the food to talk much. Ah...this is sooo good. Mmmmm the turkey is juicy...not dry. And the dressing...oh, the beans have a different flavor. "What's tasso?" he asked, poking at the little chunks of meat.
"From pork. Leaner than bacon, which is used in most Southern green beans. Gives it some of that flavor without so much fat. Like it?'
"Yeah," he rolled his eyes. "Too much maybe...I'm going to turn into Porky if I eat much more, but ...wow!"
She obviously enjoyed that he was enjoying the food so much. "Glad you like it," she smiled.
"Don't know how much help I'm going to be after this meal, though. I'll just have to waddle my way through it, I suppose."
An hour later they were busy decorating and making good progress. The window was finished and the trim around the menu board was up. They were putting the final touches on the door when he asked about a tree. "Oh, it's in that green box over there," she pointed. He pulled out one of those fiber optic numbers. On some level that surprised him. He would have thought she'd go for something less garish. Seeing his surprise she asked, "Don't like my tree?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "It's okay I guess. Just surprised me. I thought you'd have one of those really real looking artificial things."
"It was a leftover form my personnnal stuff. My kids used it in the playroom..." her voice trailed away and sadness enveloped her.
"Kids?" he asked gently.
Her eyes were moist as she responded. "Yeah, Corey and Katie. He was seven and she was four when they and my husband were killed in a car accident."
"I'm sorry..." was all Jim could think to say. "How long ago?"
"Three years..." her expression brightened a little. That's why I'm so glad you are here. Doing stuff like this without them is the hardest. It's when I miss them the most. You being here...it's helping."
He hugged her. It was a simple but heartfelt hug between two people who undertand loss and lonliness. "Thank you" she murmered as they seperated. Wiping her eyes, she looked in the box. "There should be a little box with tiny ornaments in it at the bottom."
They worked another couple of hours and then cleaned up the boxes. Standing at the front of the cafe, they surveyed the effort and she pronounced it as "good." Jim was rather pleased with his contribution also. He hadn't done much in the way of decorating in years and it had been fun. Realizing that it was time for him to leave he started to say good bye and headed for the door. She stood next to it, ready to lock it when he left. He turned to her. "Jenny, I'd like to do something special for you for Christmas...I mean, you looked after me and then, well this is the first holiday that I've actually enjoyed in years. I just feel like I want to do something nice for you. I'm just not sure about what to do?"
"Don't need to do anything. Being here tonight helped me alot too."
"Yeah...but still...please, isn't there something?"
"Well, there is one thing I want for Christmas..." her eyes looked away.
"What?"
Her eyes met his with unusual intensity, as if searching for something. "I'll only give you a hint." She leaned forward and her lips touched his, like feathers; so gentle...barely there but he was very aware of their presence. Then her tongue traced his lips, again as gently as a feather. His heart was racing and breathing was almost non existant for him. He wanted so much more but he let her lead. Slowly her tongue parted his lips and made it's way inside, her hands finding their way behind his neck. His hands couldn't rest any longer, they made their way around her waist as he pulled her closer. God, she feels so good. The kiss intensified as her tongue became more forceful, circling his and then exploring his mouth, teasing the inside of his lips. As the heat between them grew, Jim realized something else was growing too. He tried not to push into her with his erection but nature seemed to be in charge. He was firmly planted against her thigh, causing her to moan. Then the intensity of her kiss began to cool and suddenly they were apart again. He could only gaze into her face, trying to understand.
She gently pushed him out the door. "You're a smart man, Jim Brass. Figure it out." Then she clsoed the door and locked it. He stood there for a minute trying to understand what just happened. She wants sex for Christmas? With me? Somehow that just didn't fit his picture of her. Turning slowly, he headed for his car and then toward home where he didn't get much sleep that night.