tgreaper 2006

"Angie! Stewart's at the door!"

Just hearing his name made my blood freeze. I ran past Uncle John and Aunt Jamie, who were playing poker on a card table I pulled from the closet, and Cousin Kathy, who was dancing on the coffee table. Not anything sexual or anything, she just prefered the table.

There he stood in the doorway, well, barely stood. I could smell the alcohol before I even reached the front room. Praying to God, fifty hail marys, and twenty bucks to the neighbor kids to flatten the tires couldn't keep this fool away. I know, I tried them all this morning.

"Happy thanksgiving," he slurred. It would have been comical, if I didn't hate him so much. The drunk fool had been haunting me since we were married. Apparently divorce wasn't the answer, because he just wouldn't go away.

"I missed you baby," he wiped the sweat off his forehead. "Sometimes, it takes a holiday to remind you of your mistakes. Like that Scoogy fella."

"Scrooge," I corrected.

"Do you feel like that too?"

"No."

"Not even a little?"

"No."

"A touch?" He held up his shaky fingers to indicate his point.

"No."

"Can I use your bathroom?"

"Will you leave afterwards?"

"Perhaps, after a bite to eat?"

"Hell No!!"

Stewart dropped his head in his hands and started crying. My eyes rolled before I could stop them.

"I will not let my drunk ex husband wreck my family's thanksgiving!"

"Ok, bathroom trip, then I leave."

I helped Stewart down the hallway, stopping at cousin Kathy, who was still dancing on the table.

"Come on baby! Lift the dress!" Stewart shouted. I nailed him with my elbow and let him crash into the wall. Kathy winked her approval. I helped him back to his feet and half carried him up the steps. I pushed him through the bathroom door, almost knocking him into the bathtub.

"hurry up!" I said through the closed door. I heard Jamie say something about carolers so I wandered down the stairs to hear them. Uncle John was just closing the door when I got there.

"Just missed them," he said.

"Sounded delicious," Jamie added. The two smiled at each other then walked back over to the card table. I was about to ask Aunt Jamie what she meant when I heard Mom calling me from upstairs.

"Damn, Stewart!" I mumbled as I ran back up the stairs. Mom was waiting for me at my bedroom door.

"Now dear, I know it's not my business, but I have to ask you something." She said. I knew I was in for it. She never liked

Stewart.

"He's only using the bathroom, then he's leaving, Mom. The turkey will be finished in a couple of hours and we can eat and

forget about him."

"That sounds nice dear. But why did you kill him?"

"What?!"

"Oh, it was quite messy. His head was split wide open."

"Oh no! He must have fell down and hit his head! I'll call the police!"

Mom grabbed my arm and gave me a cold look. Then just as suddenly, her smile reappeared.

"Now dear, no need for that. I've cleaned everything up. There's not a trace of him anywhere."

I was about to ask her what she did with the body when I heard a scream from downstairs.

"Kathy!" I shouted, running for the stairs. I was in the living room in seconds. John and Jamie were sitting at the table, as if nothing happenend.

"Where's Kathy?" I was trying hard to catch my breath. John and Jamie exchanged looks. Mom came up behind me and placed her hand softly on my shoulder.

"She learned the truth my dear, about us."

"What do you mean?"

"Your cousin was adopted dear."

"What!?" I couldn't belive what I was hearing.

"We wanted to tell her and you before, but just couldn't. So we figured the best time would be a time we were all together."

I dropped in a chair as my family started putting on their coats.

"Aren't you staying for dinner?" I asked.

"You may not want us here when I tell you another secret."

"What now?"

"You were adopted as well."

"Oh my God!" I looked over at Uncle John, who got a sudden gleam in his eye. Jamie looked the same way.

"Your father and I knew your biological parents. We had them for dinner once." Mom started taking her coat back off.

"Not family," John said.

"I'll get the plates!" Jamie added, running for the kitchen. I looked back at Mom, who was staring at me wide eyed.

"Looks like we're staying for dinner after all."