Giving Thanks

It's nine o'clock on a Saturday, the regular crowd shuffles in. There's an old man sitting next to me, making love to his tonic and gin. He says, "Son can you play me a memory? I'm not really sure how it goes, but it's sad and it's sweet and I knew it complete, when I wore a younger man's clothes." Sing us a song, you're the piano man. Sing us a song tonight. Well, we're all in the mood for a melody, and you've got us feeling alright.

The pounding on the door brought me back to reality as I danced around the house with a broom. I pulled it open to find Andreas with his fist hanging in midair, ready to pound again.

"Sorry. Didn't hear the bell. I was blasting Billy Joel."
"Billy Joel?"

"Billy Joel."

"You, my dear, are one odd duck."

"Ah, but that's why you love me."

Blue eyes twinkling, he smiled down at me and replied.

"I love you for many, many reasons."

"Stop it! You're making me blush."

"No, I'm not. And no, I won't."

"Fine. Don't stop. Just get your cute behind in the kitchen, where it belongs."

My finger pointed him on his way.

"Oh ho! Where it belongs? Is that a slur?"

"Ja. Los. Jetzt."

He ambled toward the kitchen.

"Scnell, schnell!"

Laughing, he picked up the pace. Soon I could hear him whistling to himself as he checked the condition of the roasting turkey.

Thanksgiving dinner was a raging success. Dero got a wee bit tipsy and said all sorts of outrageous things that I won't repeat, for his sake. Robert's wife is now one of my all-time favorite people and probably the best cook I've ever met. As promised, she brought a carrot cake and it was better than any carrot cake anywhere. Ever. You don't understand the amazing quality of this cake. It was just that good.

This was the first time I had ever made turkey without any guidance from a parental figure, so it was a very gratifying experience when everybody (except that silly vegetarian) enjoyed it. As everybody was heading out for the night, Dero gave a deep bow, nearly stumbled, and announced that my cooking was "fantastisch." A good night, that only got even better.

Andrea and David decided to go out on the town and explore. I was hesitant to let them wander around a foreign country on their own, but Andrea pulled the older sister card and my argument fell upon deaf ears.

And I was alone with my love once more.

I was elbow-deep in dish water when he came up behind me and slipped his arms around my waist. Leaning into his chest, I continued washing the dishes. Then, quite suddenly, I felt his teeth tracing my neck as his hands ran up my sides. My breath caught in my throat as he turned me to face him and planted a passionate kiss on my lips. With gentle care, his hands slid into the back of my shirt. His strong guitarist hands rubbed all over my skin and sent goose-bumps down my arms. His mouth sought out my collar bone, which he gently nibbled. The dishes forgotten, he pulled me down the hall to the bedroom.

And the rest of the night passed with sensuous pleasure.