"Why don't you girls sit next to each other over there," Roger said as he pointed to the corner of the table on the side opposite the entrance to the room. Cady and Dorothy grabbed each other's hands and walked over and sat down. Everyone else took their spots at the table – Robert and Janice next to the kids, Cynthia next to Roger who sat at one head of the table, Peter and Joanne between Cynthia and Deborah who sat next to the other head of the table held by Jacob.
"Mind if I say the prayer before the turkey is carved?" Joanne asked looking at Roger. Roger glanced at Cynthia with a slightly worried expression. Cynthia nodded at him with a comforting look.
"Sure, Mom," Roger replied.
Joanne stood up while everyone else remained seated and folded their hands. She smoothed her skirt and hair to make sure she looked presentable for the prayer. Then she began praying aloud. "Dear God….Thank you for all that you give us…prosperity, gainful employment, roofs over our heads, the love of family and friends, and for everyone at this table, as well as this wonderful meal. We also thank you for the grace you showed to us when you sent your Son to die for our sins. In His name we pray, Amen." Joanne smiled and sat down.
Roger let out a barely audible sigh and Cynthia looked at him and winked and smiled.
Jacob said, "Amen….You know, the word 'amen' means 'truth' in Hebrew, as an expression of agreement, and I have to say, that I couldn't agree more with most of your list of things to be thankful for. Thank you for a lovely prayer, Joanne." He stood up and picked up the carving knife. "Before I carve this bird, I'd like to thank the turkey for giving its life and being so delicious."
"Dad!" Cynthia exclaimed. Everyone laughed.
"I'm going to have to tell Bill that you thanked the turkey, Jacob," Roger said. "He'll find that amusing because of his interest in Indian practices and stories."
"It makes sense, Daddy," Cady said.
"What does, Baby?" Roger replied.
"We learned about Squanto in school last week, and how he helped the Pilgrims. We read a book called, Squanto, Friend of the Pilgrims," Cady explained.
"Oh. Good, Baby. See, Jacob… your thanking the turkey was also timely and germane to the holiday," Roger said.
"What does 'germane' mean, Daddy?" Cady asked.
"It means 'closely related' or 'pertinent' or 'relevant," Roger replied as he rubbed her back gently and smiled at her warmly.
Jacob started carving the turkey and distributing it to the gathering. Once everyone was served, Deborah took the rest of the turkey to the kitchen, and sat back down with the others.
"So, tell me more about Galveston, son. What was the hurricane damage like there?" Peter asked.
"Like I said, there really wasn't much damage to Galveston. They were working on power lines when we arrived and there were many uprooted trees as well as some debris on the beach and seawall, but probably no worse than a powerful thunderstorm," Roger said. "I picked up a paper there every day and the news was mostly about the devastation in Louisiana. There were some very tragic photos published. Some offshore drilling had been interrupted by the hurricane as well."
"Offshore drilling, eh? Did that affect Bill in any way?" Peter asked.
"Yes. His brother Roy and wife Flo and their son Will were going to come for a visit around the same time and he had to make alternative plans. He sent Matt to Tucson, instead, to be with them, while Bill took care of business in the Gulf," Roger replied.
"He had a lot of fun," Cady chimed in.
"What did he do, Dear?" Deborah asked.
"They walked around and looked at a lot of art, mostly. They went to the New Mexico Museum of Art. He brought me a postcard from there. It's a picture of an artist named Georgia O'Keeffe and a man. He said it wasn't in the museum, but the picture was in the gift shop. He said it reminded him of us when we get old," she said and laughed.
"Oh, he does like you, doesn't he, Dear?" Deborah said with a smile and elbowed Jacob.
"Of course! We're friends!" Cady replied enthusiastically, but with a quizzical look on her face.
"The postcard is in her bedroom on her bulletin board. She can show it to you all after dinner," Cynthia said.
"His uncle told him that the picture was taken by a famous photographer. I can't remember the name," Cady said.
"I believe the man with Georgia O'Keeffe is Orville Cox and the photographer was Ansel Adams," Roger said. "It should say on the back of the card."
"I always liked her flower paintings," Jacob said with a wink. Deborah elbowed him.
"Are you going to keep doing that all day," Jacob asked as he rubbed his side.
"If you keep it up," Deborah said with a half-furrowed brow and a smile.
"I've always thought her flower paintings should only be given private viewing because of their lewd nature," Joanne said with a tone of moral indignation.
"Well, what is it that Freud said?" Peter asked. "…Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar?"
Jacob replied, "That lovely woman's flower paintings are no cigars." He leaned away from Deborah immediately. Everyone laughed except Joanne who looked like she tasted an extremely tart cranberry.
"What else did Matt do in Santa Fe?" Deborah asked.
"He went swimming a lot at some swimming club. His uncle had a friend who got them in," Cady replied.
"Perfect for a summer in the southwest, I'd say," Deborah replied.
"Uh-hmm. He also went to the opera and saw something called Madama Butterfly. He didn't like it, though," Cady said.
"Oh? Why not?" Deborah asked.
"He said it was all in Italian and he couldn't understand it and that the whole thing was 'hokey,'" Cady said.
"Opera is probably lost on the average seven year-old boy," Janice said.
"It's lost on me," Robert replied.
"Bill's brother and his wife are very interested in art and cultural events," Roger said.
"I like art too," Cady said.
"Me too," Dorothy agreed.
"Did you have a good time on your birthday, Cady?" Joanne asked.
"Yes, Gramma. Matt, Julia, and Dorothy and some of my other friends came. I had a lot of fun," Cady replied. "Did you get my 'thank you' card that I made?"
"Yes, Dear. We have it on the mantle at home. I'm glad you liked your present," Joanne replied. "What kind of party did you have?"
"We played some games, but mainly we had a dance party," Cady replied. "We danced to Elvis songs."
"Oh?" Joanne said.
"It wasn't planned that way," Cynthia replied. "Robert and Janice brought their Elvis records over and it turned into a dance party."
"I saw him on Ed Sullivan last year. Great voice but his gyrations are scandalous," Joanne said.
"Robert's mastered his dance moves. He and Janice taught the kids to dance to the songs together. It was adorable," Cynthia replied.
Joanne gasped. "You didn't teach them all of the dance moves, did you?"
"He sure did," Roger replied. "You should have seen him. He even came over to the house with his hair slicked back with a D.A."
"What's a D.A.?" Joanne asked.
"It's a 'duck's ass,' Dear," Deborah replied resting her hand on Joanne's shoulder. Cady and Dorothy giggled at the utterance of the word 'ass.' "It's a hairstyle young men wear these days. The back is combed to look like a duck's ass." Cady and Dorothy giggled again.
"I don't think we should be using such language around the children," Joanne said.
"Relax, Joanne. It's not bad language. We all have asses," Peter interjected and smiled at the girls. Cady and Dorothy giggled again.
"Well, we all have mouths. That doesn't mean we should use them to say any little old thing…certainly not at the table," Joanne retorted.
"It was like watching a variety show on TV, Robert and Janice danced so well," Roger said. "Matt's dance card was full too. He picked up on the moves very quickly and got to dance with every girl at the party."
"Even Aunt Janice," Cady replied with a laugh.
"He was pretty good, but a little too short for my taste," Janice joked.
"How's school, Cady?" Joanne asked, changing the subject.
"Fine," Cady replied.
"What's your favorite subject these days?" Peter asked.
"I like reading. I read all the time," Cady replied.
"That's very good, Dear," Deborah encouraged.
"Speaking of reading and school…That was something that happened in Little Rock in September, wasn't it?" Peter said.
"It's a sad day when you have to bring in the military to coerce a state to follow a just law," Roger said.
"Sad, indeed," Deborah replied.
"What do you mean, Daddy?" Cady asked.
"The Supreme Court ruled that schools can no longer be segregated and that they should allow black students to attend school with white students," Roger replied. "Arkansas's governor fought the ruling and tried to stop black children from attending school with white children by using the state's National Guard. President Eisenhower sent in the U.S. Army to escort nine children to classes and federalized the Arkansas National Guard so that they worked for the federal government instead of the state, effectively thwarting the governor's wishes."
"Why would Arkansas' governor do that?" Cady asked.
"Some white people think they are better than black people. It's called racism or bigotry," Roger replied.
"Well, that's not very nice," Cady said with a furrowed brow.
"No it's not!" Dorothy exclaimed.
"I agree and so does President Eisenhower," Roger replied.
"Barrick doesn't have any black students," Cady observed.
"They will, eventually," Roger replied. "Texas has been fighting desegregation as well."
"What's 'desegregation?'" Cady asked.
"That's the word for when you open schools up to all races of children, or places of businesses to all races of people," Roger explained.
"Oh," Cady said. "Well, I think everywhere should be desegregated!" she declared.
"Me too, Baby," Roger replied.
"America is such a hypocritical place. Elvis is the most popular white singer right now, climbing the Billboard chart in popularity and raking in the dough, and he's so obviously influenced by the black Delta Blues, and this country treats blacks so poorly at the same time," Robert observed.
"Yes, it is very hypocritical and ironic," Roger replied.
"What does 'hypocritical' mean?" Cady asked. She was always asking what words meant at this age.
"It means people say or believe one thing, and do another… usually the opposite," Roger replied. He was always glad to oblige her inquisitiveness about word meanings.
"Oh. Well, I like Elvis and I like the black people I've met. They don't seem all that different from me," Cady replied.
"They're not. You're right," Roger replied.
"Let's get off of the dreary political and social concerns. It's Thanksgiving," Joanne said. "How are the Houstons? You've mentioned Bill and Matt a few times today."
"They're doing fine, Mom," Roger replied. "There's not much to tell."
"Matt's fine, Gramma," Cady said. "He's doing better in school this year. I help him out when I can."
"That's very nice of you," Joanne replied and smiled at her.
"Daddy takes me over to his house sometimes and Bo and Lamar take us riding on his horse or we play with Champ, his dog," Cady said. "We still don't have a dog or cat, though," she said with a frown. Roger and Cynthia ignored her less-than-subtle plea.
"Bo and Lamar?" Joanne asked.
"They're Bill's ranch hands. They're a colorful duo," Roger replied.
"It sounds very fun, Dear," Joanne said to Cady.
"I guess you're still doing legal work for Bill," Peter remarked.
"Yes. He asks me for legal advice, mostly. I've drawn up a few contracts and helped with a few real estate deals. He's always looking for ways to diversify his investments," Roger replied. "I guess that's why he's a millionaire."
"That, and a lot of inherited wealth to begin with," Jacob remarked.
"Jacob…" Deborah warned.
"What? He's a Houston of the Houston - Houstons," Jacob replied. "It's pretty easy to stay a millionaire once you're born one. I'm just glad he's one of the most philanthropic millionaires I've ever met, and a nice gentleman as well."
"He's a very good man and an excellent father," Roger replied.
"Cynthia, how's work for you?" Peter asked.
"Busy as always. I have to work the night shift two nights in a row, starting tomorrow," Cynthia replied.
"Still no private practice?" Joanne asked.
"I think we may start talking about that seriously after the New Year," Cynthia replied.
"It would certainly give you more flexibility in your schedule to spend time with Roger and Cady," Joanne replied.
"Yes. That's one of the goals, for sure," Cynthia replied.
"The only goal that matters, I would think," Joanne replied.
Roger interrupted what was sure to be quite the dust-up between Cynthia and Joanne, "Deborah, we haven't heard what you and Jacob have been up to…."
Deborah cleared her throat from nervousness. "Well, yes…We've been participating in politics a little again and Jacob still goes to Rubinstein Community Center. I occasionally join him there for the odd game of Bridge or Pinochle."
"I thought you got out of politics, Deborah," Peter asked.
"I'm helping to get Ralph Yarborough reelected to the Senate for the upcoming midterm elections," Deborah replied. I hope we can get a stronger Democratic majority in the Senate. We need a more progressive government to keep us moving forward."
"If anyone can help them do it, it's you, Mom," Robert said with a smile.
"What are you doing at the Rubinstein Community Center?" Peter asked Jacob.
"I'm usually just down there playing card games. I participate in a current event discussion group," Jacob replied.
"He's taken up swimming, too….for exercise," Deborah said.
"I've been told it will keep these old bones younger by my doctor," Jacob said.
"Who's your doctor?" Peter asked.
"Why, that would be Dr. Parsons, here, at the table," Jacob replied. "Well….she's not actually my doctor, but she acts like she is, and I'm glad my grown-up tochter still cares for her futter."
"We're certainly all lucky to have a doctor in the family," Joanne replied. "Dorothy, how have you been doing in school?"
"Fine," Dorothy said.
"She's really good at reading, too," Cady said.
"Dorothy can speak for herself, Baby," Roger replied.
"So you're good at reading, Dorothy? What are you reading right now?" Joanne asked.
"At school or on my own?" Dorothy asked.
"Both," Joanne replied.
"We read boring books at school. I'm reading The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. I like it a lot," Dorothy replied.
"That's a book for older children, isn't it?" Joanne asked.
"I told you she was good at reading," Cady said and wrapped her arm around Dorothy's shoulders.
"I guess so," Joanne said in an impressed tone. "…Such smart young girls."
"Now that you're caught up on all of us, what have you and Peter been doing?" Cynthia asked her mother-in-law.
"The usual…. I keep the house clean, and read. Peter plays golf almost year round now," Joanne said with some consternation in her voice. "We don't play cards as much with friends anymore, and I can't remember the last time we went out for dinner."
"We went out a month ago," Peter said.
"To that hamburger place?" Joanne replied.
"It's going out for food, isn't it?" Peter replied sternly.
Robert interrupted, "There's a great new burger place here in Houston. It's called The Chuc Wagun and is shaped like a covered wagon from the pioneer days."
"Where is it, Robert?" Roger asked.
"It's on 34th Street," he replied.
"We'll have to try that out, Cindy – take Cady and Julia sometime," Roger said.
"That's a great idea," Cynthia replied.
Once everyone was done eating, Deborah and Cynthia cleared the dinner plates and asked everyone what kind of pie they'd like for dessert: Dutch apple, pecan, or pumpkin, with or without ice cream or whipped cream. Both of the girls wanted apple pie with ice cream. Jacob and Robert wanted pecan pie without whipped or ice cream, and the rest wanted traditional pumpkin pie – some with and some without whipped cream.
"Besides trying out new restaurants, what have you and Janice been up to?" Roger asked Robert.
"You mean, besides what we already talked about?" he said to Roger with a wink. Janice slapped him on the shoulder.
"I think you married your mother, Son," Jacob said.
"Thanks Dad," Robert replied. He continued, "We also go to the Rubinstein sometimes. Dorothy's taking some art classes. She's quite good. Janice is in a book club and we both take dance classes," Robert said.
"Is that where you learned to cut a rug like Elvis?" Roger asked.
"Nope…. I learned that watching him on Ed Sullivan. I think he's been on that program three times now," Robert said.
"I think you're right," Roger said.
"He sure can make the girls swoon," Peter remarked.
"He's utterly lurid," Joanne replied and crossed her arms.
"What does 'lurid' mean, Daddy?" Cady asked.
"It's not important, Baby," Roger replied, skirting that vocabulary lesson.
"We're big fans of Elvis' music. There's really nothing quite like it. You can't even recognize the music al culture from 1955 in relation to today. It has been quite the sea change. He's got a winning formula, for sure," Cynthia continued, ignoring Joanne.
"We should play some of his music after dinner," Cady said.
"We can't, Baby. The game is going to be on in a few minutes," Roger replied. "But you can take the portable record player to your room and play some music with Dorothy."
"Yea! Elvis!" the girls shouted in unison.
"Okay, okay. Simmer down, girls," Roger said and smiled.
After everyone was done with dessert and the table had been cleared, the group retired to the living room except for Deborah and Cynthia who remained behind to wash the dishes.
Right before the game started at 2:15, Joanne said, "We'll be heading back to the hotel now. Your father promised that we'd stay in town tomorrow to do some shopping and sight-seeing in Houston before heading back to Dallas on Saturday."
"Okay, well….Will we see you at Christmas?" Roger asked.
"If you're planning on coming up, Son," Peter said. "Susan and Pete Jr. are bringing their families to our house."
"It depends on our work schedules, of course, but we'll definitely try," Roger replied. He called into the kitchen, "Cindy… Mom and Dad are leaving!"
Cynthia came out of the kitchen with Deborah and walked over and hugged Peter and Joanne while Deborah dried her hands. "Thanks for visiting."
"Thanks for having us, Dear," Joanne said. Then Peter and Joanne left, and the game between Texas and Texas A&M began. The men watched the game while Cynthia and Deborah relaxed at the kitchen table after cleaning dishes and putting away leftovers. Janice joined the girls in Cady's bedroom playing Elvis records and talking. The game was close and very low-scoring the entire game. The men whooped and hollered at the television. Eventually, the Longhorns beat the Aggies 9 to 7.
"That'll be fifty bucks, Bob," Roger said with a smile, holding out his hand.
Robert pulled out his wallet from his back pocket and took out some cash and counted it and slapped it into Roger's open hand. "There you go, brother-in-law. Care to bet again on Saturday's game?" he asked.
"I'll have to think about it. I just recently came into some money and I'm not ready to give it up yet," Roger replied with a smirk.
"Let me know. I'd like a chance to win my money back," Robert replied.
"I will," Roger said and stuffed the cash into his pocket.
Cady, Janice, and Dorothy came out from Cady's bedroom. "Daddy, can Dorothy spend the night?" she asked.
"I think it's fine, but what do you think, Cindy?" Roger asked.
"It's fine with me, but I work the late shift tomorrow night so I'll need to sleep all day, like usual," Cynthia said.
"We'll be quiet, Momma," Cady replied.
"We'll pick her up around noon," Robert said.
"That'll be fine, Bob," Roger said.
Robert and Janice went home first and then Deborah and Jacob, leaving Cynthia and Roger and the girls to themselves for the evening. At 7:30, they all watched Circus Boy starring Micky Dolenz, at the girls' request, followed by Zorro. After which, the girls were sent to bed. Cynthia read to them for a while until they both looked sleepy.
"So what are you two thankful for?" Cynthia asked.
"My mommy and daddy," Dorothy quickly replied.
"What about you, Baby?" Cynthia asked.
"I'm thankful for you and Daddy too, but I'm thankful for being happy too. Some people aren't that happy," Cady observed.
"I know what you mean, Baby. I know what you mean," Cynthia replied and kissed her on the forehead. She then leaned in and hugged Dorothy.
"Goodnight, girls," she said as she turned off the light and started to leave the room.
"Goodnight, Momma," Cady said.
"Goodnight, Aunt Cindy," Dorothy repeated. Cynthia looked back at the girls and smiled, turned around, and closed the door and left to spend some quiet time with Roger in the living room.